US PIVOT TO ASIA – IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA
Keywords:
US PIVOT TO ASIAAbstract
The 21st century has witnessed a shift in the epicentre of the world economy and power from the North Atlantic to the Asia Pacific. Among all Asian countries, it is the spectacular rise of China that has had the biggest geopolitical impact. Against this backdrop, the US has articulated its ‘Pivot to Asia’ or ‘rebalancing’ policy that seeks to reassert its influence and leadership across the Asia-Pacific region. This involves military redeployment, socio-economic engagement as well as political outreach. While the US has emphasised that its ‘pivot’ is not directed against any particular country, many see it as an effort at ‘containment’ of a rising China. The competitive relationship between the US and China is defining the geopolitics of the region. India has major political, economic and security interests in East and South East Asia. The US on its part is keen to co-opt India in its Pivot strategy and wants it to play a more proactive role in security related issues. Many other countries too are looking at India to ‘soft balance’ an increasingly assertive China. India’s values of democracy, secularism and pluralism add to its appeal as a benign power that can have a stabilising effect in the Asia-Pacific. This research explores India’s interests in the Asia-Pacific and critically analyses its ‘Look East Policy’, the framework through which it has been engaging with the region. It also explores the convergence and divergence of interests between India, the US and China to assess areas of cooperation and potential conflict. In doing so it will suggest how best India can secure its interests while balancing its relations with other nations; and yet play a constructive role in Asian affairs.
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