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India’s Strategic Balancing in Asia
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Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Asian tour, including a bilateral visit to Tokyo and participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, highlights India’s diplomatic challenges and opportunities in Asia.
Strategic Challenges in Asia
- US-China Tensions: Rising strains in India’s ties with the US complicate diplomacy, as Washington’s disputes with Beijing influence India’s strategic calculus.
- Trade Dependence on China: India’s imports from China reached $118 billion in 2024, creating a structural imbalance despite policy pushes for “Make in India.”
- Russia-China Nexus: Moscow’s deepening alignment with Beijing after the Ukraine war limits India’s flexibility and increases dependency risks.
India’s Position in the SCO
- Regional Participation: Almost all South Asian neighbours (except Dhaka and Thimphu) are present in Tianjin, with China actively backing Dhaka’s inclusion.
- China’s Expanding Role: By promoting trade, digital links, and regional dialogues, Beijing seeks to draw the Subcontinent into its orbit through the SCO.
- Pakistan Factor: Beijing’s engagement with Islamabad, coupled with Pakistan’s active role in the SCO, places India in a diplomatically constrained environment.
Opportunities with Japan and the US
- Japan Partnership: Modi’s Tokyo visit aims to deepen strategic and economic cooperation, highlighting shared interests in technology, defence, and regional security.
- US Strategic Alignment: Washington signals renewed focus on South Asia, appointing a Special Envoy and pressing India to act as a counterweight to China.
- Balancing Diplomacy: India must leverage ties with Japan and the US while carefully managing China and Russia, ensuring regional stability and advancing its economic interests.
Practice Question
“India’s Asian diplomacy reflects a balancing act between cooperation with China-led platforms like the SCO and deepening strategic partnerships with Japan and the US. Critically evaluate India’s options in reconciling these competing engagements.” (250 words)
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