Keywords:
Related Articles:
Abstract
This article explores the “India factor” in Sino-American relations, assessing how New Delhi’s foreign policy influences the balance between Washington and Beijing. It reviews India’s growing strategic partnership with the US, its economic and security ties with China, and its role in multilateral forums such as BRICS and the G20. The study highlights areas of convergence, such as trade and counterterrorism, and divergence, including border disputes, maritime competition, and technology transfers. It argues that India’s strategic autonomy allows it to maintain a balancing role in Asia’s evolving power architecture, but the intensification of US-China rivalry compels India to navigate complex choices.
Full Text
The body begins by situating India’s foreign policy traditions of non-alignment and strategic autonomy. Section One reviews Indo-US relations: defence cooperation, civil nuclear agreement, and technology partnerships. Section Two analyses India-China dynamics: trade interdependence, border tensions, and regional competition. Section Three examines the US-China rivalry and India’s positioning within it. Section Four highlights India’s role in multilateral platforms: G20, BRICS, SCO, and ASEAN Regional Forum. Section Five projects future scenarios: deepening US-India defence alignment, potential economic decoupling from China, and India’s role as a swing power. The conclusion underscores India’s importance as a strategic variable in Sino-American relations.