US-India Strategic ties vis-à-vis Pak-China containment
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Those who have a common enemy most likely get on like a house on fire just to bring maximum afflictions upon their foe. More or less this is the tale of US-India tie-up. The developments taking place in China are widely considered the determinant of their mutual relationship. China’s rise is a major concern of both the countries.
China is the second largest economy of the World while in terms of purchasing power it is the World’s top most economy. The GDP growth rate of china had been in double figures for decades although a slight slowdown hit it recently. Last year its economy expanded at its lowest rate since 1990.
Recently Beijing has taken “One Belt, One Road” initiative of which Pakistan is a major pillar. It envisions an artery of vast infrastructure network connecting China with Western Europe. While militarily China has achieved the highs which are well-nigh on par with any world’s major power. It assigns a big chunk of budget to defence department and has developed weaponry of high technology which includes stealth air fighters, nuclear submarines, and a coveted missile system etc. Besides, it is a communist state and is devoid of democratic values.
China says it does not seek regional hegemony. It also seems that its main focus is on economy instead of securing dominance. It has pulled the largest number of people out of poverty in the world. Per capita GDP has been raised from 155 dollars in 1978 to 7950 dollars in 2014 according to World Economic Forum. Although it shares disputes with most of its neighbours yet enjoys good trade with them. Notwithstanding serious border dispute with India, its trade volume with New Delhi is more than 80bn US dollars. Meanwhile China was second biggest trading partner of Philippine in 2014 which has toxic relations with Beijing due to maritime dispute regarding Spratly Islands.
USA is currently exercising hegemony over most parts of the world. The Chinese military modernization is seen by US a threat which would put Washington’s interests in jeopardy specifically in Asia Pacific. China’s rise can imperil the US’ machination vis-à-vis shaping regional politics in Asia. Besides China’s territorial claims on disputed Islands in South China Sea, it is also building artificial Islands which are again a source of apprehension for Washington DC. Beyond that USA considers itself a protector of Taiwan and has deep military ties with it. While on the other hand China labels Taiwan as a rebel state and claims its absolute sovereignty over it. The immense economic growth of China and the rising US trade deficit with Beijing adds fuel to the fire.
India also shares a border dispute with China. The other irritants include, inter alia, Tibet issue, Sino-Pak collaboration, and China’s stance on Kashmir issue. China’s expansion in South China Sea and its regional influence is also cheesing India off. The Chinese military support to Pakistan also ruffles the Indians’ feathers. In addition to that, CPEC passes through Gilgit Baltistan which India claims to be a disputed territory and has conveyed its reservation to China in this regard.
India, being a big economy with remarkable military capabilities, biggest democracy of the World, and last but not the least having poor relations with Beijing, serves as a solid pick for USA for containing China. Another giant in Asia bordering and at the same time challenging China would help cut down supremacy of United States’ main rival.
In this regard US has approached India in the past as well, but recently they have become as thick as thieves. US-India Civil Nuclear Deal was signed in 2005 which cleared the way for civil nuclear co-operation between the two. In 2008 the Nuclear Supplier Group gave India a unique “waiver”. The cartel exempted it from its rules governing the civil nuclear trade owing to immense political pressure from USA.
Recently the India’s bid to become a member of Nuclear Supplier Group was vigorously supported by USA although the very reason d'etre of NSG was the nuclear test conducted by India in May 1974. United States’ Secretary of State John Kerry wrote letters to member states who were sceptical of India’s membership asking them to grant India a smooth entry to the cartel. Anyhow India failed to get admission to NSG which would have been considered a milestone in its diplomatic history.
Moreover during the US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter visit to New Delhi this April, both the countries agreed to share military logistics and in this respect penned down “The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).
This growing intimacy between Washington DC and New Delhi is apprehending Beijing. China is wary of supernumerary US patronization of India. Its fears are valid and reasonable. US-India joint military exercises off the Indian coast add to Beijing’s trepidations.
The growing tilt of US towards India is a means of disquietude for Pakistan as well. It is widely understood that India is involved in sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan. There are reasons to believe that it is engaged in stoking insurgency in Baluchistan and violence in Karachi. The United States’ endeavor to turn India into a mammoth is disturbing the balance of power in South Asia. A powerful India means more problems for Pakistan in terms of instability, terrorism, extremism, and violence in the country.
Making another great power in Asia will prove counterproductive. Instead of containing China, it would provoke both Beijing and Islamabad. The entire World and particularly this region will become a more unsafe place. United States should not disturb the regional balance in South Asia as it would make Pakistan more skeptical of US intentions and will help in increasing the animosity of a common Pakistani towards itself. On the other hand it wouldn’t prove productive in containing China but only will result in addition of one other bully to the World. The writer can be reached atSirajShawa@gmail.com.
By Siraj Shawa
