Aarish U.Khan
Aarish U. Khan is a Research Analyst at the Institute of Regional Studies.
DOI: http://DOI Number
Keywords: China, US, Pakistan, foreign policy, Osama Bin Laden, global stability, Japanese, East Asia, Vietnam, Taiwan, crisis, maritime tensions
Abstract
China and India are competing for control of the Indian Ocean, which is vital to global and regional commerce. The region’s instability will continue to be a major concern in the next decades for both international countries with significant interests in the Indian Ocean and regional governments. India’s goals in the Indian Ocean are steadily rising. Its naval strategy is to extend its influence across the whole IOR by investing heavily on naval growth, increased trade and investment, diplomacy, and strategic ventures. It is strengthening ties with energy-rich Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia to safeguard its economic stability and great-power ambitions. India is most concerned about China’s increasing involvement in IOR. To counterbalance Chinese power, it is increasing its influence and control over Indian Ocean choke points through security alliances with major littoral states such as Singapore, Mauritius, and Oman, to mention a few. Through such a strategy, as well as soft balancing with the US, India wants to secure its own position in the Indian Ocean against a perceived growing Chinese challenge. China’s naval power is on the rise again, thanks to a thriving economy. China’s pursuit of greater maritime control in the IOR has manifested itself in the form of military engagements as well as active participation in the economic realm. However, China seems to continue with its doctrine of soft power diplomacy in the IOR., declaring that Beijing’s interests will be driven by commercial rather than military objectives. Nevertheless, China is apprehensive of the growing Indo-US strategic partnership to counter its influence in the IOR region and elsewhere. The paper hence provides an overview of the geostrategic significance of the Indian Ocean, whilst also discussing India’s maritime strategy in IOR, keeping in mind US influence on India. It will also discuss the prospects of cooperation between India and China.
First Published
December 25, 2013
How to Cite
Aarish U. Khan, “Sino-US Relations: Partnership, Coevolution, or Competition?,” Regional Studies 32, no.1 (Winter 2013-14): 49-61, https://regionalstudies.com.pk/wp/article/sino-us-relations-partnership-coevolution-or-competition/
Issue
Volume 32, Issue 1