Daily Times

Those who have a common enemy are most likely to get along like a house on fire. More or less, that appears to be the raison d’être of US-India “friendship.” Developments taking place in China are widely considered the determinant of their mutual relationship. China’s rise is a major concern for both the countries.

China is the second largest economy of the world, while in terms of purchasing power it is the world’s top most economy. The GDP growth rate of China has been in double figures for decades although a slight slowdown hit it recently. Last year, its economy expanded at its lowest rate since 1990.

Recently, Beijing has taken “One Belt, One Road” initiative of which Pakistan is a major pillar. It envisions an artery of vast infrastructure network connecting China with Western Europe. Militarily, China has achieved highs that are well-nigh on a par with any world’s major power. China assigns a big chunk of budget to its defence sector, and has developed weaponry of high technology, which includes stealth air fighters, nuclear submarines, and a coveted missile system. Besides, China is a communist state, and is run without democratic principles.

China insists that it does not seek regional hegemony. China’s main focus seems to be its economy instead of securing regional dominance. It has pulled the largest number of people out of poverty in the world, and its per capita GDP has been raised from 155 dollars in 1978 to 7,950 dollars in 2014, according to the World Economic Forum. Although China has disputes with most of its neighbours, it nevertheless enjoys a good trading relationship with them. Notwithstanding the serious border dispute with India, China’s trade volume with New Delhi is more than $80 billion. China’s second biggest trading partner was the Philippines in 2014 despite its acrimonious relations with Beijing due to a maritime dispute regarding the Spratly Islands.

The US currently exercises hegemony over some parts of the world. Chinese military modernisation is seen by the US as a threat that would put Washington’s interests in jeopardy, specifically in the Asia Pacific. China’s rise can imperil US plans vis-à-vis shaping regional politics in Asia. Moreover, in addition to China’s territorial claims on disputed Islands in the South China Sea, China is also building artificial islands that are another source of nervousness for Washington. The US considers itself a protector of Taiwan, and has deep military ties with the state, while on the other hand China labels Taiwan as a rebel state, and claims absolute sovereignty over Taiwan. The immense economic growth of China and the rising US trade deficit with Beijing add fuel to the fire.

India also shares a border dispute with China. The other irritants include inter alia the Tibet issue, the Sino-Pak collaboration, and China’s stance on the Kashmir issue. China’s expansion in the South China Sea and its regional influence are also an annoyance for India. Chinese military support to Pakistan also upsets India. In addition to that, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through Gilgit-Baltistan, which India claims is also a disputed territory, and has conveyed its reservation to China in this regard.

India being a huge economy with remarkable military capabilities, biggest democracy of the world, and last but not the least, having poor relations with Beijing serves as a solid pick for the US for containing China. Another giant in Asia bordering and at the same time challenging China would help cut down supremacy of the US’s main economic rival.

In this regard, the US has approached India in the past as well, but recently, the two countries seem to have become as thick as thieves. The US-India Civil Nuclear Deal was signed in 2005, which cleared the way for civil nuclear co-operation between the two. In 2008, the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) gave India a unique waiver, exempting India from its rules governing civil nuclear trade owing to political pressure from the US.

Recently, India’s bid to become a member of the NSG was vigorously supported by the US, although the very raison d’être of the NSG was the nuclear test conducted by India in May 1974. The US Secretary of State John Kerry wrote letters to member states that were sceptical of India’s membership, asking them to grant India a smooth entry to the NSG. India, nevertheless, failed to get admission to the NSG, which would have been considered a milestone in its diplomatic history.

Moreover, during the visit of US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter to New Delhi in April, both the countries agreed to share military logistics, and signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement.

This growing intimacy between Washington and New Delhi is a cause of apprehension for Beijing. China is wary of supernumerary US patronisation of India, and its fears are valid and reasonable. US-India joint military exercises off the Indian coast add to Beijing’s trepidation.

The growing tilt of the US towards India is a source of disquietude for Pakistan as well. It is widely believed in Pakistan that India is involved in sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, and that there are reasons to believe that India is engaged in stoking the insurgency in Balochistan and violence in Karachi. The US’s endeavour to turn India into a mammoth is disturbing the balance of power in South Asia.

Making another great power in Asia will prove counterproductive. Instead of containing China, the efforts would provoke both Beijing and Islamabad. The US should not disturb the regional balance in South Asia, as it would make Pakistan more sceptical of US intentions, and on the other hand, it wouldn’t even prove to be productive in containing China.

The writer can be reached at SirajShawa@gmail.com