Syed Imran Sardar
Syed Imran Sardar is a Research Analyst at the Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad.
DOI: http://DOI Number
Keywords: Sino-Indian border clashes, Indo-US partnership, China’s assertiveness, changing strategic environment, Balance of Power
Abstract
The Sino-Indian border clash in summer 2020 had a serious impact on India’s security discourse, casting a significant change in New Delhi’s strategic calculus. To secure its national interests in an unbalanced strategic environment, India sought US support. The US, on its part, orchestrated practical engagement with its alliance partners in Asia to counter China’s assertiveness in the region. Its relationship with India has ever since entered into a new phase of cooperation, where the policies of both countries towards Beijing converge on mutual points of interest. This strategic partnership between the two countries, particularly following border clashes, had an impact on regional equilibrium as well. The decades-old structure of conflict and cooperation and the embedded network of bilateral relationships in the region began to alter. The complex trajectory of the triangular relationship between the US, China, and India emerged as a challenge for Pakistan considering its role as Beijing’s frontline partner. Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka having balanced China and India, re[1]oriented their focus toward China and India/US. The Indo-US partnership, however, has its limits since there is a fundamental difference in both states’ approaches to push back China’s assertiveness. India, in its renewed role, is all set to strengthen its strategic depth in bordering areas. The US expects India to play an active role in Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) in which New Delhi is incapacitated in terms of both military and technology. Given the aforementioned, the apparent convergence of interests seems rather short-lived. Nevertheless, multi-sectoral cooperation has the potential to grow.
First Published
March 25, 2021
How to Cite
Syed Imran Sardar, “India: The Changing Security Environment and Regional Stability,” Regional Studies 39, no.1 (Spring 2021): 34-50, https://regionalstudies.com.pk/wp/article/india-the-changing-security-environment-and-regional-stability/
Issue
Volume 39, Issue 1