Deepening strategic ties

 Military pact between India and the US is essential to stop Chinese hegemony in its tracks

The bilateral military relationship between India and the United States has touched a new high with the signing of the long-negotiated strategic agreement during the visit of US Secretaries of State and Defence Mike Pompeo and Mark Esper to New Delhi as part of what is called ‘2+2 ministerial dialogue’. One of the significant features of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) is that the Indian military will now get access to the satellite network of the United States, allowing it to target enemy positions with greater precision. The pact will facilitate sharing of real-time geo-spatial intelligence, high-end military technology and classified satellite data between the militaries. No matter who comes to power in the US after the November 3 elections, India’s strategic circumstances will remain unchanged in the wake of growing belligerence and territorial hegemony of China in the region. It becomes essential for New Delhi to seek deepening strategic ties with Washington to counter China’s aggression. A common suspicion of China will drive the Indo-US relations even closer. No wonder that China’s expansionist behaviour in eastern Ladakh and in various parts of the world was a major talking point during the bilateral meetings with both sides vowing to firmly confront the challenges in the region and beyond as part of their common vision and shared interests. There is no doubt that China presents the biggest strategic and security threat today to both India and the US. Beijing clearly wants to muscle out Washington from East Asia and force New Delhi to accept a subordinate position in a new China dominated architecture.

With India lagging behind China in the area of military modernisation, the gap can only be bridged through security collaboration with the US and other Western powers. Such a strategic path will also help in raising the costs of Chinese adventurism. China spends nearly four times as much as India does on its military and the balance of power at the border is clearly in its favour. In order to stop Chinese hegemony in its tracks, India needs to craft a containment strategy. This requires a long-term partnership with the US, irrespective of who is in the White House. Though India and America have their share of differences on several issues, including Kashmir, Pakistan, Afghanistan and even on some trade-related matters, neither side should let these differences come in the way of their critical cooperation on dealing with China. The BECA agreement comes as a prelude to a major naval exercise planned in early November on the Malabar coast in which the members of the ‘Quad’—Australia, Japan, India and US—will participate. The pact is expected to boost India’s strike capability across the border with Pakistan.

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