China has been one of the largest economies in the world and the largest emerging economy in Asia. However, India is living in the shadow of China's economy and stratagizing how they can come out of China's shadow and balance out the power in Asia. India has six different options to balance the power between them and China: staying unaligned, hedging, building an indigenous military power, forming regional partnerships, aligning with China or aligning with United States. If India were to align with the US they could counter China's power and if they go the regional and domestic route they could compliment China's power. China poses many threats to India such as a far stronger military force, their influence in new and established organizations like the UN, China's alignment with Pakistan and other south Asian countries and China's economic power that allows them to spread their influence.
Rajagopalan, R. (n.d.). India's Strategic Choices: China and the Balance of Power in Asia. Retrieved November 14, 2017, from http://carnegieindia.org/2017/09/14/india-s-strategic-choices-china-and-balance-of-power-in-asia-pub-73108
Rajagopalan, R. (n.d.). India's Strategic Choices: China and the Balance of Power in Asia. Retrieved November 14, 2017, from http://carnegieindia.org/2017/09/14/india-s-strategic-choices-china-and-balance-of-power-in-asia-pub-73108
It sounds like it will be a very hard decision for India to choose between aligning with China or the US. There are many considerable detriments and benefits to siding with both. Either way, I think their decision will be a big deal, in terms of the current difficult relationship the US and China currently have. From looking at the situation from afar, I think it would make the most sense for India to side with China. They are closer to China and like you said, it could be a very complimentary relationship. On the other hand, I can see China overstepping their boundaries within the relationship since they have more power and international ties. It would be beneficial for the US to step up their relationship with India, but I'm not sure what that relationship would look like.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think India should do? What do you think would benefit India the most?
ReplyDeleteIt is really exciting that India is growing so much and is catching up to China. It will be interesting to see if India keeps the quality of goods as they keep growing
ReplyDeleteDue to China's alignment with Pakistan, I doubt India would align with China. I believe India will become a strong US ally in the future (Ford already sells cars there). India and China are going to be the largest economies in this area of the world for sure. It will be interesting to compare and contrast them in the future. I wouldn't say China is not completely un-aligned with the United States. Given that they export a lot of products to the United States and that they now have companies (Foxconn) providing FDI to the United States, I'd at least call them our associates.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that China and India had this relationship. I didn't know India was a shadow of China in the economy. This will be interesting to see what India does to rise out of the darkness and maybe be aligned with China or better.
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