C. Raja Mohan, a Senior Fellow with the Asia Society Policy Institute, discusses India's strategic evolution since the Cold War, its role in BRICS and changing relationships with Taipei, Japan, and Australia. The conversation concludes with an assessment of what India wants for its strategic future and its interaction with the international world order.
India's strategic outlook has been shaped by key factors such as the end of the Cold War and economic reforms, leading to closer alignment with the United States and Western partners while addressing China's rise.
The Quad, comprising the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, plays a crucial role in countering China's assertiveness and maintaining regional stability, with India's relationships with Japan and Australia strengthening the Quad.
Deep dives
India's Policy Transformations and Strategic Outlook
India's policy transformations and strategic outlook have been shaped by several key factors. One significant influence was the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, which disrupted India's alignment with the Soviet Union and necessitated a reassessment of its geopolitical positioning. Additionally, India's economic reforms in the 1990s, which moved away from socialist economics towards liberalization, opened the doors for engagement with the United States. The US-India partnership has evolved through different presidential administrations, with some recognizing India's rise as being in America's interest. India's strategic outlook has also been shaped by its historical experiences, including its complex relationship with Britain and its perception of China as a principal challenge. The recognition of China's intentions in Asia, particularly concerning Taiwan, has played a role in reshaping India's strategic trajectory. Overall, India's policy transformations and strategic trajectory point towards a closer alignment with the United States and other Western partners, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by China's rise.
The Dynamics of the Quad and Regional Security
The podcast highlights the importance of the Quad, a strategic forum comprising the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, in addressing regional security concerns. The Quad has provided a platform for these countries to engage in discussions and coordinate efforts to counterbalance China's assertiveness and expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Moreover, the podcast emphasizes that India's relationships with Japan and Australia have played a critical role in strengthening the Quad. While India's past relations with Australia were strained, recent years have seen a significant shift, with both countries now eager to deepen their engagement. The increased cooperation between India, Japan, and Australia demonstrates a growing recognition of the shared strategic interests in maintaining regional stability, particularly in the face of China's aggressive behavior.
India's Evolving Outlook on China
The podcast delves into the evolving nature of India's relationship with China and its strategic outlook. India's historical belief in Pan-Asian solidarity and the impact of the end of the Cold War shaped its early perception of China as a partner and the United States as a challenge. However, changes in recent years, particularly under Xi Jinping's leadership, have highlighted China as a major challenge for India. The increased border tensions between India and China, coupled with China's territorial expansion and aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, have led to a shift in India's approach. Today, there is a greater recognition of the need to balance China's growing influence, and India has been actively engaging with other partners, including the United States, in countering China's dominance. India's strategic outlook now focuses on strengthening its own economic growth, reducing economic reliance on China, and enhancing regional stability in the face of Chinese assertiveness.
India's Engagement with the West and Global Role
The podcast explores India's aspirations for a closer partnership with the West and its desire to play a more prominent global role. India sees its economic growth and development as closely tied to engagement with Western countries. The USA, in particular, has been instrumental in fostering India's engagement, especially in areas like technology and trade. This partnership has provided a platform for India to contribute to shaping global institutions, address pressing global challenges, and be part of a new international system. India's rise as a major economy, its talented workforce, and its ability to effectively engage with the West are seen as key factors that can elevate India's stature in global affairs. The podcast emphasizes the historic opportunity for India to work alongside the US and other Western partners in constructing a new international order that addresses crucial issues such as climate change and artificial intelligence.
This week, Mike and Jude are joined by C. Raja Mohan, Senior Fellow with the Asia Society Policy Institute in Delhi and Visiting Research Professor and former Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) at the National University of Singapore. Mohan was the founding director of Carnegie India in Delhi – the sixth international center of Carnegie Endowment for Peace, and has previously served on India’s National Security Advisory Board.
They begin by examining India’s strategic outlook since the end of the Cold War, considering India’s history, the evolution of its economic model, and shifts in the political perspectives and priorities of the Indian government. They then turn to India’s role in BRICS – examining the relationship of India and China within the organization, the reasoning behind India's participation in BRICS, and implications of the August 2023 BRICS summit. Next they discuss Delhi’s changing relationship with Taipei and expanding engagement with Japan and Australia. The conversation concludes with an assessment of what India wants for its strategic future, and how it would interact with the international world order.
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