Foreign media: The West's unilateral foreign policy of balancing China with India | What does the easing of Sino Indian relations mean for the West| Foreign media
The website of The Economist published an article on July 20th titled "What does the easing of Sino Indian relations mean to the West?". The full text is excerpted as follows:
Hoping that India can act as a pro Western balancing force against China has become the cornerstone of US foreign policy. This is a bet on India's future capabilities and geopolitical stance, which was clearly stated after then US President Bill Clinton's visit to New Delhi in 2000. Every subsequent president increased their bets. Therefore, Indian Prime Minister Modi made a high-profile visit to Washington last month. At the time of the declaration of generational friendship between the United States and India, Modi also included the defense technology agreements that the United States usually reserves for close allies in his pocket.
But what if India - which has not joined a formal alliance - becomes a less steadfast partner of the United States than many in Washington believe? This possibility is obvious. The recent quietly improving relationship between India and China illustrates this point.
In 2021, bilateral trade between India and China has resumed after the pandemic. At the same time, although there is still much controversy over the border areas between India and China, both countries seem determined to resolve the dispute over this issue.
The sustained easing of India China relations is in line with the interests of both countries. The brief efforts made by India to reduce its economic dependence on China highlight how difficult it is. Modi's two top priorities - infrastructure and manufacturing - are particularly dependent on China's investment. 70% of active ingredients in India's pharmaceutical industry, one of its largest export industries, come from China. Even if the Indian Prime Minister can ruthlessly restrict the supply of such goods, India's influential business lobbying groups will do their best to dissuade him.
The peaceful and fruitful relationship between India and China is extremely beneficial to the people of both countries and the world. This will pose a challenge to Western thinking, and the United States and other strategists need to weigh India China relations more seriously. The increasing belligerence of the United States towards China is to some extent reinforced by the assumption that India will assist the United States in combat when necessary, and it should dispel this idea. To balance China, India must not only have strength, but also have the willingness to confront. This cannot be taken for granted.