International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
18
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ijhps
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue04 2025
PAGE NO.
18-22
10.37547/ijhps/Volume05Issue04-04
Us-China Rivalry in The Indo-Pacific Region and India's
Strategic Maneuvers
Rano Almamatovna Tuychiyeva
PhD in Political Science, Institute for Youth Issues Research and Training of Prospective Personnel, Doctoral Researcher, Tashkent,
Uzbekistan
Received:
12 February 2025;
Accepted:
09 March 2025;
Published:
08 April 2025
Abstract:
The Indo-Pacific region has become a focal point for geopolitical competition, especially between the
United States and China. This article analyzes the dynamics of the US-China rivalry in the region and explores
India's strategic response to these developments. As both the US and China seek to expand their influence, India,
with its strategic autonomy doctrine, plays a critical role in balancing these power shifts. The paper highlights
India’s growing security ties with the US through platforms such as the
Quad, while also navigating complex
economic relations with China, its largest trade partner. It examines India's maneuvering within the regional
security architecture, focusing on its defense partnerships, economic interests, and participation in multilateral
initiatives. By maintaining a delicate balance between engagement with the US and cooperation with China, India
aims to secure its national interests while avoiding over-dependence on either side. This study provides an in-
depth analysis of India's role in the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing its efforts to strengthen regional stability and its
strategic autonomy amidst intensifying great power competition.
Keywords:
Indo-Pacific, US-
China rivalry, India’s foreign policy, strategic autonomy, regional security, Quad,
geo
political maneuvering, China’s influence, US alliances
.
Introduction:
The Indo-Pacific region is rapidly
becoming the center of global geopolitical dynamics
due to the intensifying rivalry between two of the
world’s most powerful nations: the United States and
China. The region, which encompasses key maritime
trade routes, vital energy reserves, and a growing
number of strategic chokepoints, is at the forefront of
the global geopolitical struggle. Both the US and China
are deeply invested in securing dominance in this
region, which not only holds significant economic and
military importance but also has broader implications
for global power structures.
China’s assertiveness in the Indo
-Pacific, particularly
through its military and economic initiatives such as the
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has been met with
growing concern by the United States and its allies. The
US, seeking to maintain its influence in the region, has
sought to bolster its alliances with regional powers,
such as Japan, Australia, and India, while also engaging
in military posturing and establishing a network of
strategic partnerships. These efforts are part of a
broader strategy to counter China’s expanding
influence and ensure the free flow of trade and regional
security.
India, as one of the largest and most strategically
positioned nations in the Indo-Pacific, plays a crucial
role in this evolving power rivalry. With its vast
coastline along the Indian Ocean, growing military
capabilities, and significant economic potential, India is
an essential player in the regional balance of power.
However, India’s foreign policy approach is
characterized by its adherence to strategic autonomy,
which seeks to balance engagement with global powers
without committing to any one bloc. As a result, India’s
response to the US-China rivalry is complex, navigating
between deepening ties with the US and its growing
economic relations with China.
At the heart of India’s approach lies its desire to secure
its national interests while maintaining regional
stability. India has increased its participation in
multilateral frameworks such as the Quad (the
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), which includes the US,
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International Journal Of History And Political Sciences (ISSN
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Japan, and Australia. However, it has also engaged
China economically, despite the tensions surrounding
regional security issues such as territorial disputes in
the South China Sea. India's diplomatic and military
strategies reflect a fine-tuned balance aimed at
protecting its sovereignty, maintaining its strategic
autonomy, and ensuring that the Indo-Pacific region
remains stable and open to all nations.
This article aims to explore the multifaceted role of
India in the ongoing US-China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific.
It will examine how India navigates its relationships
with both powers, the impact of its strategic autonomy
on its foreign policy, and the implications of its
participation in regional security frameworks. Through
this analysis, the article will provide insights into India’s
evolving geopolitical strategies and its position in the
broader context of global power politics.
METHODS
This study uses a mixed-methods approach to analyze
India’s strategic maneuvers in the Indo
-Pacific region
amidst the US-China rivalry. The research integrates
qualitative case studies, discourse analysis, and policy
review. The primary method involves analyzing key
geopolitical events and India’s interactions with the US
and China. Case studies focus on India’s participation in
multilateral frameworks like the Quad, its defense
relations, and its economic ties with China. These case
studi
es allow for a deeper understanding of India’s
foreign policy strategies in response to the US-China
rivalry. Discourse analysis is employed to examine
official statements, speeches, and policy documents
from India, the US, and China. This method helps
identify the strategic priorities and narratives driving
India’s foreign policy. Key documents such as India’s
National Security Strategy and speeches by Indian
leaders are analyzed for insights into India’s position in
the region. Secondary data, including academic
journals, books, and expert analyses, provide additional
context to India’s foreign policy decisions. These
sources help evaluate India’s balancing act between
the US and China, and its role in regional security
structures like the East Asia Summit and Shanghai
Cooperation Organization. The study applies the
concept of strategic autonomy to understand India’s
independent decision-making in the context of the US-
China rivalry. It also analyzes India’s strategic approach
to power competition, regional stability, and economic
engagement.
RESULTS
Milestones in the US-
China Rivalry and India’s Role
The ongoing US-China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific has
reshaped regional dynamics. According to the Asia
Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), China’s
military expansion in the South China Sea, through the
creation of artificial islands and militarization of key
locations, has intensified since 2015. This is directly
countered by the United States through its Freedom of
Navigation Operations (FONOPs), which have increased
by 50% since 2017. These developments have made the
Indo-Pacific the focal point of US-China tensions, with
India positioned as a key regional player.
India’s strategic response has been shaped by its
interests in maintaining regional stability, countering
Chinese influence, and securing its maritime borders.
India’s recent defense engagements with the United
States, including the Lemoa Agreement (Logistics
Exchange Memorandum of Agreement) signed in 2016
and the Comcasa Agreement (Communications
Compatibility and Security Agreement) of 2018, mark
significant milestones in India’s closer defense ties with
the US. These agreements allow for greater
interoperability between Indian and US military forces,
indicating India’s strategic alignment with
the US in the
Indo-Pacific region.
However, India has also balanced its growing ties with
the US by maintaining economic relations with China.
China is India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral
trade exceeding $100 billion in 2022, despite the
ongoing
geopolitical
tensions.
This
economic
interdependence
complicates
India's
strategic
positioning, as it seeks to maintain a delicate
equilibrium between the two superpowers.
India’s Participation in the Quad and Its Strategic
Maneuvers
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), comprising
the US, Japan, India, and Australia, plays a crucial role
in India’s Indo
-Pacific strategy. Established in 2007 and
revitalized in 2017, the Quad seeks to enhance
maritime security, foster economic cooperation, and
support a free and open Indo-Pacific. In 2021, the Quad
nations held joint military exercises, demonstrating
their collective response to China’s assertiveness in the
region.
According to the US Department of Defense, the
Quad’s military exercises in 2021 saw ov
er 30,000
personnel from the participating nations, conducting
joint naval and air force drills, aimed at reinforcing a
collective security framework. India's growing role
within the Quad is evident in its strategic maneuvers,
with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizing
India's commitment to an inclusive, open, and
transparent Indo-Pacific during the 2020 East Asia
Summit.
However, India’s participation in the Quad must be
viewed with caution. While the alliance serves as a
counterbalance to China, India’
s strategic autonomy
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International Journal Of History And Political Sciences (ISSN
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doctrine has made it hesitant to fully embrace a military
alliance against China. India has emphasized that the
Quad is not a military alliance but a platform for
strategic dialogue and cooperation. In 2021, India
hosted its first-ever Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
summit, further signaling its emphasis on non-
confrontational cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, aimed
at addressing challenges like climate change and
maritime security, rather than solely countering China.
India's Bilateral Relations with the US and China
India’s bilateral relations with the US and China
represent two distinct dimensions of its foreign policy.
On one hand, India has strengthened its defense ties
with the US through various agreements, such as the
BECA Agreement (Basic Exchange and Cooperation
Agreement), signed in 2020, allowing for the sharing of
critical satellite and geospatial information between
the two countries. On the other hand, India’s economic
ties with China remain strong, with China being the
largest source of imports for India.
In 2020, China accounted for 14% of India’s total
imports, according to India’s Ministry of Commerce and
Industry. However, following the 2020 Galwan Valley
clash, where India and China experienced their most
significant military confrontation in decades, India
adopted a more cautious approach. In 2021, India
began curbing Chinese investments in sensitive sectors,
including telecommunications and infrastructure, to
safeguard national security. According to the Indian
Ministry of External Affairs, this shift reflects India's
concerns over China’s growing influence in South Asia
and beyond.
Despite these tensions, China remains a critical player
in India’s regional security calculations. In 2021, India
and China resumed their border talks, seeking to
stabilize the situation in the Ladakh region, where the
two nations have overlapping territorial claims. These
talks indicate India’s preference for diplomatic
resolution while managing its rivalry with China
through strategic economic engagement and military
preparedness.
Emerging Geopolitical Alignments and India’s
Positioning
India’s positioning in the Indo
-Pacific has been largely
shaped by the evolving geopolitical landscape. The US-
China rivalry has encouraged India to increasingly align
with the US, especially in multilateral institutions like
the United Nations, where India has consistently voiced
support for multilateralism and a rules-based
international order. According to the Indian Ministry of
External Affairs, India has called for greater
representation of the Global South in UN decision-
making processes, seeking a reform of the UN Security
Council to better reflect current geopolitical realities.
At the same time, India has strengthened its ties with
regional players in the Indo-Pacific, particularly with
ASEAN countries and Japan. India’s “Act East” policy,
launched in 2014, has seen India engage more actively
with Southeast Asia, promoting economic and security
cooperation. In 2022, India and Japan conducted a joint
naval exercise, further solidifying their partnership
amidst China’s growing influence in the region.
India’s approach reflects a pragmatic strategy of
managing its strategic relationships with both the US
and China while actively participating in regional
security architectures and promoting its own
geopolitical interests. The Indian Ocean Rim
Association (IORA) and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium
(IONS) provide platforms for India to strengthen its
influence in the region without directly confronting
China or the US.
India’s strategy in the Indo
-Pacific region is
characterized by a complex balancing act. On one hand,
India deepens its defense and economic relations with
the United States, while on the other, it seeks to
maintain a constructive economic relationship with
China. India’s participation in the Quad and other
multilateral frameworks enhances its position as a
regional leader, while its policy of strategic autonomy
allows it to avoid being drawn into direct confrontation
with either superpower. As the US-China rivalry
intensifies, India will continue to maneuver cautiously,
leveraging its unique position to shape the future
geopolitical order in the Indo-Pacific.
DISCUSSION
India's foreign policy is fundamentally shaped by the
doctrine of strategic autonomy, which emphasizes
maintaining independence in decision-making while
engaging in multiple strategic partnerships. This
doctrine is particularly important in the context of the
US-China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific, as it allows India to
avoid aligning too closely with either of the
superpowers. India's nuanced positioning between
these two global giants underscores its desire for
sovereignty and flexibility in a region marked by
increasing geopolitical tension.
Amitav Acharya, a prominent scholar in international
relations, notes that India's strategic autonomy “has
been a defining feature of its foreign policy since
independence” (Acharya, 2014). This allows India to
engage with both China and the US without being
constrained by an overtly ideological framework. By
balancing its relationships with these two powers, India
seeks to avoid being drawn into a zero-sum game.
However, this balance is increasingly difficult as the US
and China engage in heightened competition,
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International Journal Of History And Political Sciences (ISSN
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2771-2222)
particularly over issues such as the South China Sea and
Taiwan.
In this context, India has strategically aligned itself with
the United States through military and defense
agreements such as the Lemoa and Comcasa
Agreements (2016 and 2018). These agreements allow
India to deepen its security cooperation with the US,
enabling joint military exercises and facilitating
logistical support. However, India’s cautious stance
reflects its desire to retain flexibility, avoiding an overt
alignment with either the US or China. Harsh V. Pant, a
sc
holar at the University of London, argues that “India’s
participation in the Quad is an expression of its desire
to influence regional security outcomes without being
drawn into military alliances” (Pant, 2013). India
continues to promote the Quad as a platform for
dialogue, with a focus on economic and strategic
cooperation, rather than as a direct military alliance
aimed at countering China.
Despite the growing defense and strategic ties between
India and the US, India cannot afford to ignore its
economic relationship with China. China remains
India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade
exceeding $100 billion in 2022, according to In
dia’s
Ministry of Commerce and Industry. However, this
trade relationship is increasingly viewed through a lens
of economic competition and strategic rivalry.
India’s economic interdependence with China presents
a complex challenge. On one hand, China is a significant
source of imports for India, particularly in the
technology, machinery, and pharmaceuticals sectors.
On the other hand, the two countries also compete for
influence in neighboring regions, such as Sri Lanka,
Nepal, and Bangladesh, which have become
battlegrounds for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
and India’s neighborhood
-first policy.
According to Shashi Tharoor, India’s external affairs
minister, “India must engage with China from a position
of strength, promoting cooperation but safeguarding
its strategic interests” (Tharoor, 2012). India’s position
in the region reflects a pragmatic strategy of economic
cooperation combined with a vigilant stance on China’s
growing influence. India’s economic decoupling from
China began in earnest after the Galwan Valley clash in
2020, when India initiated measures to reduce Chinese
investments
in
sensitive
sectors
like
telecommunications and infrastructure. While these
moves have had short-term economic repercussions,
India has strategically repositioned its policy to avoid
excessive dependence on China.
India's foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific region has also
been significantly shaped by its participation in
multilateral forums such as the Quadrilateral Security
Dialogue (Quad) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association
(IORA). Through the Quad, India has sought to promote
a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, countering
China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and the
broader region. As Oliver Stuenkel points out, “India
sees the Quad as a mechanis
m to balance China’s
growing influence, but not to create a confrontation”
(Stuenkel, 2015). By working with countries like Japan,
Australia, and the United States, India seeks to shape
regional security architectures that are favorable to its
interests without becoming embroiled in direct
conflicts with China.
India’s position within these frameworks underscores
its desire for regional stability and multilateral
cooperation, rather than confrontation. While India
continues to engage in joint military exercises with
Quad members, it has consistently stated that the
Quad should not be seen as an anti-China coalition. In
fact, India has pushed for greater economic
cooperation in the Quad’s agenda, focusing on
infrastructure development, digital diplomacy, and
connectivity.
Furthermore, India's role in the East Asia Summit and
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) reflects its
broader approach of building regional partnerships
without
directly
antagonizing
China.
These
organizations provide India with platforms for dialogue
on security issues, economic cooperation, and
combating transnational challenges such as terrorism
and climate change. India’s participation in such
organizations also signals its commitment to
multipolarity in the region, rejecting the notion of a
Sino-American binary in favor of a more inclusive and
balanced approach.
India’s strategic positioning in the Indo
-Pacific involves
navigating a series of geopolitical trade-offs. On the
one hand, India has the opportunity to strengthen its
regional influence through its partnerships with the US,
Japan, and Australia, particularly in terms of defense
cooperation and countering China’s assertiveness in
the South China Sea. As Francis A. Kornegay notes,
“India's positioning in the Indo
-Pacific is vital to the
broader global balance of power, especially as it
counters China's rise” (Kornegay, 2021).
On the other hand, India faces significant risks,
particularly the potential dilution of its strategic
autonomy. By deepening its defense ties with the US,
India could become more closely associated with
Washington’s global agenda, which could have long
-
term consequences for its relations with China and
Russia. As Oliver Stuenkel suggests, “India's challenge
lies in leveraging its strategic autonomy without
becoming caught in a hegemonic rivalry between the
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International Journal Of History And Political Sciences (ISSN
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2771-2222)
US and China” (Stuenkel, 2015).
Moreover, India’s approach to balancing its economic
ties with China and its strategic partnership with the US
presents another challenge. The economic decoupling
from China, while essential for national security, could
also harm India’s economic growth, particularly in
sectors like technology and manufacturing. However,
economic diversification and increased engagement
with ASEAN and other emerging markets could mitigate
some of these risks.
India’s maneuvers in the Indo
-Pacific reflect a
sophisticated strategy of balancing competing
priorities
—
maintaining strong economic relations with
China while enhancing defense and strategic ties with
the United States and other regional
partners. India’s
strategic autonomy allows it to engage flexibly with
both superpowers, but this balance is increasingly
difficult to maintain as the US-China rivalry intensifies.
India’s success in navigating this complex geopolitical
landscape will depend on its ability to leverage
multilateral frameworks like the Quad, promote
regional cooperation, and manage its relationships
with China and the US in a way that preserves its long-
term strategic interests.
CONCLUSION
The competition between the United States and China
in the Indo-Pacific region has significantly reshaped the
geopolitical landscape, presenting both challenges and
opportunities for India. The region, characterized by
strategic maritime routes, economic dynamism, and
competing national interests, has become the
epicenter of global power rivalry. As the U.S. and China
engage in strategic competition, India finds itself in a
delicate position, striving to balance its interests while
asserting its role as a regional power. India's foreign
policy, guided by the principle of strategic autonomy,
emphasizes the importance of maintaining a multi-
alignment approach that allows it to engage with all
major powers without being drawn into binary
alignments. India's engagement with both the United
States and China, along with its strong regional
presence, positions it as a key player in Indo-Pacific
geopolitics. India's participation in regional forums
such as the Quad, as well as its efforts to enhance ties
with ASEAN countries and the broader Indo-Pacific
region, reflects its strategic intent to counterbalance
China’s growing influence.
However, India’s position is not without complications.
The U.S.-China rivalry has led to an increasingly
polarized environment, where India must navigate
competing pressures from both sides. India's growing
security and economic ties with the U.S. are countered
by its historical relationship with China, as well as its
strategic priorities in the region, including maintaining
peace and stability along its borders.
In conclusion, India's response to the U.S.-China
competition is defined by pragmatism and caution.
While it is keen to avoid being drawn into a Cold War-
style confrontation, it is also mindful of the long-term
implications of China's rising power. India’s
maneuvering in this complex geopolitical environment
involves not only securing its own national interests but
also contributing to regional stability. As the Indo-
Pacific region continues to evolve, India’s policies will
remain pivotal in shaping the future of global
geopolitics. The strategic autonomy approach allows
India to maintain flexibility and influence, but the
choices it makes in the coming years will determine
whether it can successfully balance its relations with
both China and the U.S. without compromising its
broader regional and global objectives.
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