In view of the aggravated in the last years of the struggle between China and the United States for influence in Southeast Asia is of special importance other major players in the region that can tip the scales in one direction or another. First of all we are talking about such Asian giants as India and Japan. With Japan, everything is clear – historically she had not very good relations with China, and in the event of a conflict except America her to lean on.
However, India’s role in the growing confrontation is not very clear. One of the most powerful Nations, it has a strong army, Navy and nuclear weapons, and also ranked seventh in the world and third in Asia in terms of GDP. Traditionally, India is considered one of the main opponents of China. This is facilitated by the long shared border with the disputed territories. Still fresh in the memory of the border war of 1962, 1967 and 1987, and minor skirmishes still going on. Both countries constantly erect military installations along the border. Also causes dissatisfaction of India’s strategic partnership with China as its main enemy Pakistan, as well as attempts by China to increase its influence in other countries bordering on it: for example, in Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka. If these are China’s attempts are successful, India threatened to be encircled Chinese allies.
All these disagreements play into the hands of America, which has long been trying to make India as its ally against China. President Barack Obama has openly stated that the partnership with India is vital to American interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
USA is one of the largest trading partners of India in 2015, with turnover of $64 billion Since 1992 regularly held joint us-Indian naval exercise “Malabar”, which cause severe irritation of China. Each year exercises are increasingly provocative: so, from 2015 the participation in Japan, and in June 2016 the maneuvers of American, Indian and Japanese Navy occurred in the East China sea near the Senkaku Islands, which is a matter of dispute between China and Japan. In may 2016 it has been reported that America assigns India the status of a partner of the United States in the defense area. This allows the us military to conduct closer cooperation with the Indian military and to provide them with American military technology.
In June 2016, the Prime Minister of India Narendra modi visited the U.S. and met with U.S. President Barack Obama. After the meeting, a statement was made, in which the main challenge India and the United States raised the security of Maritime navigation. Shortly after meeting Delhi has appealed to Washington with a proposal to sell the unmanned aerial vehicles Predator Guardian adapted for flying above the sea. These drones have long attracted the Indian military, but the purchase was complicated by the fact that India was not involved in the agreement of the “regime of control over missile technology (MTCR). However, in June 2016, after a little time after the meeting N. Modi with Barack Obama, India has joined the MTCR, having the right to purchase interest in her technique.
In August 2016, the defence Minister of India Manohar Parrikar and Minister of defense Ashton Carter signed a Memorandum on logistic cooperation”. Then, in September 2016, media reported that the United States wanted to sell India the same 22 unmanned aerial vehicle, which she wanted to buy in June. It was stated that the sale of drones for the Indian Navy will strengthen military and political partnership of America and India.
All these news can be taken as proof that India is really moving in an anti-China military Alliance under US leadership. However, we should remember that relations between India and China is not so bad. The total boundary length of 3 380 km contributes not only to strife, and reconciliation, both countries understand that they have to build a normal relationship. In 2005, India recognized the Tibet Autonomous region of China, and China recognised the Indian territory bordering Sikkim. Constantly growing mutual trade. So, in 2008 China became a major trading partner of India, and in 2015 the trade turnover between two States exceeded $71 billion.
Joint military exercises India conducts not only with the enemies of China, but by China: in February a joint exercise of Indian and Chinese border troops “Cooperation-2016”. In April 2016 India’s defense Minister M. Parrikar visited Beijing, where he met with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan. After the meeting it was announced that both countries attach great importance to cooperation in the military sphere, and that together India and China can provide security throughout the region.
With regard to the recognition of India’s “partner of the United States in the defense area”, in addition to India, this title in the Asia Pacific region are Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Philippines and Japan. This status facilitates access to American military technology, but no obligation. As to anything particularly serious does not oblige the Memorandum on technical cooperation. That is, India would be happy to use drones, however, to support any rash action, the U.S. Navy did not need.
Also it is worth remembering the visit of the President of India Pranab Kumar Mukherjee to China in may 2016, Then in his speech he said that India and China has seen phenomenal progress in the relationship since 1990, and the turnover for the last 16 years has grown more than 20 times. In conclusion, the Indian President said that if the 2.5 billion Indians and Chinese will come together and will work together, it will provide a rapid March of progress for both Nations. Perhaps this is the best that currently can be said about Indian-Chinese relations.
If the United States believes that by providing India access to military technologies and making discounts, they can get reliable ally, they are deeply mistaken. Refusal to participate in military-political blocks – one of the main principles of Indian foreign policy since 1961, when it was created the non-aligned Movement, one of the masterminds of which was the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. In addition, the U.S. – far, and China is close. India understands that in the event of a conflict with China on its share falls the most trouble, which means that it will use the partnership with the United States as a deterrent to Chinese expansion, but the risk for the sake of American interests just will not be.
