{"id":366608,"date":"2026-07-03T08:40:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T03:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?page_id=366608"},"modified":"2026-07-03T08:40:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T03:10:23","slug":"answered-examine-how-intensifying-us-china-rivalry-in-south-asia-impacts-indias-regional-primacy-evaluate-the-viability-of-a-transactional-diplomatic-approach-to-preserve-strategic-autonomy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/answered-examine-how-intensifying-us-china-rivalry-in-south-asia-impacts-indias-regional-primacy-evaluate-the-viability-of-a-transactional-diplomatic-approach-to-preserve-strategic-autonomy\/","title":{"rendered":"[Answered] Examine how intensifying US-China rivalry in South Asia impacts India’s regional primacy. Evaluate the viability of a transactional diplomatic approach to preserve strategic autonomy."},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Economic Survey 2025\u201326 identifies geopolitical fragmentation as a major external risk to India’s growth. Simultaneously, South Asia has become the principal arena of US-China strategic competition, challenging India’s traditional regional primacy.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

How US-China rivalry impacts India’s regional primacy<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Erosion of India’s Traditional Sphere of Influence: <\/strong>China’s BRI and String of Pearls have institutionalised long-term strategic presence. Simultaneously, the US is expanding defence, maritime and digital partnerships with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. Neighbourhood is becoming multi-aligned rather than India-centric. Example: Hambantota Port, CPEC.<\/li>\n
  2. Strategic hedging by neighbouring states: <\/strong>Smaller states increasingly leverage competition between India, China and the US to maximise economic and political gains. Reduces India’s bargaining power and monopoly over regional public goods. Example: Maldives’ balancing diplomacy.<\/li>\n
  3. Maritime security challenges: <\/strong>Chinese naval deployments, dual-use ports and surveillance facilities challenge India’s dominance in the Indian Ocean. Increased US naval presence further internationalises India’s maritime neighbourhood. Example: Djibouti base; Colombo Port City.<\/li>\n
  4. Economic competition: <\/strong>China finances large infrastructure projects while the US promotes alternative supply-chain and connectivity initiatives. India faces pressure to compete in infrastructure delivery rather than diplomatic goodwill. Example: BRI vs IMEC.<\/li>\n
  5. Strategic relevance of Pakistan: <\/strong>China continues deep investments through CPEC. The US maintains engagement owing to counterterrorism and West Asian considerations. Pakistan remains strategically valuable despite internal instability. Example: Gwadar Port.<\/li>\n
  6. Technological competition: <\/strong>Digital infrastructure, AI, cybersecurity and telecom have become new arenas of influence. Competition extends beyond military power into standards and digital governance. Example: Undersea cable projects.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Why a transactional diplomatic approach is viable<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Strengthens Strategic Autonomy: <\/strong>India evaluates partnerships issue-by-issue rather than bloc politics. Consistent with India’s tradition of multi-alignment. Example: Russia oil imports.<\/li>\n
    2. Maximises technology gains: <\/strong>Cooperate with the US on emerging technologies while retaining independent foreign policy. Example: iCET, semiconductor cooperation.<\/li>\n
    3. Functional engagement with China: <\/strong>Border disputes should not eliminate dialogue on climate, BRICS, SCO and trade. Reduces escalation risks while preserving national interests. Example: BRICS cooperation.<\/li>\n
    4. Prevents overdependence: <\/strong>Avoids excessive reliance on either Washington or Beijing. Enhances diplomatic flexibility amid changing global alignments. Example: G20 diplomacy.<\/li>\n
    5. Supports neighbourhood-first policy: <\/strong>India can offer demand-driven development instead of debt-driven projects. Focus on Digital Public Infrastructure, healthcare, energy connectivity and capacity building. Example: UPI linkage with Nepal.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Limitations of a purely transactional approach<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Trust deficit may reduce long-term strategic partnerships.<\/li>\n
      2. China’s structural economic leverage cannot be countered solely through diplomacy.<\/li>\n
      3. US expectations on technology, sanctions and defence interoperability may constrain policy space.<\/li>\n
      4. Neighbouring countries may continue balancing multiple powers irrespective of India’s approach.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Way Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Accelerate delivery under Neighbourhood First, SAGAR and MAHASAGAR initiatives.<\/li>\n
        2. Strengthen BIMSTEC, Colombo Security Conclave and IORA instead of relying on SAARC.<\/li>\n
        3. Expand cross-border energy grids, digital payments, rail connectivity and disaster-resilient infrastructure.<\/li>\n
        4. Build domestic strength in manufacturing, semiconductors, AI and defence under Atmanirbhar Bharat.<\/li>\n
        5. Institutionalise regular political engagement with neighbourhood governments through development partnerships.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Strategic autonomy rests on national capability, not alignment. India must combine regional delivery, economic strength and calibrated diplomacy to remain South Asia’s indispensable stabilising power.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Introduction The Economic Survey 2025\u201326 identifies geopolitical fragmentation as a major external risk to India’s growth. Simultaneously, South Asia has become the principal arena of US-China strategic competition, challenging India’s traditional regional primacy. How US-China rivalry impacts India’s regional primacy Erosion of India’s Traditional Sphere of Influence: China’s BRI and String of Pearls have institutionalised… Continue reading [Answered] Examine how intensifying US-China rivalry in South Asia impacts India’s regional primacy. Evaluate the viability of a transactional diplomatic approach to preserve strategic autonomy.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10320,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-366608","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/366608","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10320"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=366608"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/366608\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=366608"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}