GROWING ENMITY BETWEEN THE US AND CHINA: IMPLICATIONS FOR SOUTH ASIA

Abstract

India usually considers itself a growing regional power, but a closer look exposes that it is in an adverse position vis-à-vis China in the South Asian region. China has always been economically more attractive and politically more reliable in its neighborhood, thus, presenting itself as a strong contender to become a great power and a key player in this region. On the other hand, especially during the post-Cold War era, the US has remained at the top position leading to a new symmetry, while restricting any other possible power to challenge its supremacy in this region. The 9/11 incident has further changed the security dynamics of South Asia. Today, the need to hold China’s regional supremacy and economic cooperation in the region has shifted US strategic attention more towards India, which is, in one way or the other, stimulating Indian hegemonic aspirations under the umbrella of its Hindutva ideology. Furthermore, the presence of foreign powers in this region and their growing influence in shaping regional security settings have made the regional defence scenario more intricate. This study, therefore, highlights the strategic interests and goals of major powers in the South Asian region in order to examine the changing geostrategic dynamics of the region. The Regional Security Complex theory has also been applied as a theoretical framework to analyze the present-day regional developments and their impacts on this region.

Bibliography Entry

Hashmi, Samia Majeed. 2020. "Growing Enmity Between the US and China: Implications for South Asia." Margalla Papers 24 (2): 104-113.