What are the policy implications of the changing nature of the Sino-Indian relationship on Asia’s expanding strategic geography?

2015-12-02T08:34:57-05:00

http://www.au.af.mil/au/ssq/comments.asp?id=119

by Chietigj Bajpaee

While the Sino-Indian relationship has improved in recent years, it continues to oscillate between periods of cordiality and competition. This is exacerbated by a fundamental mismatch of threat perceptions between both states, rooted in the shifting balance of power and conflicting signals in the bilateral relationship. Moreover, the rise of both countries as major powers has provided them with new tools and platforms to interact with each other, contributing to a spill over of the Sino-Indian relationship from the bilateral to regional levels. Nowhere is this spill over effect or ‘nested security dilemma’ more evident than in the maritime domain amid the rise of both countries as major trading and resource-consuming powers. After charting the evolution of the Sino-Indian relationship, this article examines the implications of the changing nature of the Sino-Indian relationship on Asia’s expanding strategic geography and US policymaking toward Asia.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Dec 2 at 2015 10:09 AM

2015-12-02T10:09:51-05:00

I see little consequential change. India is China's only true and capable regional threat in terms of sheer size and manpower. Right now advantage China, but if India links up with the right countries, strengthens regional alliances and leans more towards the US and our allies, they can blunt China.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 2 at 2015 10:39 AM

2015-12-02T10:39:10-05:00

Sino-Indian relations which is comparable to Russian-Indian relations has shifted back and forth over the past 40 years SPC Dr. Ernest Rockwell. While the Himalaya Mountains serve as a buffer between China and India, China is still a threat to India on a number of fronts, economic, communication, and military to name a few.
India has pursued technology including military technology from the USA, Israel, Russia, and China as well as others.
The perennial tension in Kashmir and with pakistan keeps a requirement for tactical and strategic forces within reach of Pakistan. India would prefer to have China friendlier with them than with pakistan for many reasons.