President Modi's White House Visit: Unravelling Critical Implications for Asia-Pacific Security
Modi’s visit to Washington signifies two main things: India’s inclination to formally remain neutral regarding Russia and the US, but to informally suggest that it is against the Ukrainian conflict. However, by buying military arms from the US, it signifies its desire to have a more balanced governance of security by countering China’s military prowess in the Asia-pacific region.
President Modi's visit to the White House has served as an opportunity to evaluate the deepening cooperation between the US and India, which began with Bill Clinton's initiation of economic ties in 2000. While India's burgeoning population and thriving technology industry make its trade with the US economically significant, the country's strategic position in the global south holds broader implications for its future economic growth. However, a critical examination of the recent meeting between Indian President Modi and US President Joe Biden reveals that the implications go beyond mere economic and business-related concerns; they encompass critical social and security factors, particularly regarding the Asia-Pacific region.
In the context of regional security, any involvement of the US as a key player invariably brings two other countries into focus: China and Russia. President Modi's trip to the White House offers insight into the pivotal roles played by China and Russia in shaping the implications for Asia-Pacific security. Both of these countries represent forces that challenge the current global order, with the East-West dichotomy remaining pronounced. China and the US find themselves locked in a realist struggle for control, as China seeks a multipolar world while the US strives to maintain its position at the top of the unipolar order. Meanwhile, Russia's assertive foreign policy, exemplified by the Ukrainian conflict and NATO's involvement, further polarises the East-West divide.
It becomes evident that any US engagement in South Asia aims to counterbalance China's dominance over the region. From a hegemonic realist perspective, both China and the US perceive the need to provide security to the Asia-Pacific region and consider themselves as having to offset each other's influence. Following the Ukrainian conflict, both China and the US have been testing the waters around Taiwan, a nation whose territorial dispute between the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China underscores the delicate balance between the two powers. China's increasing influence in the region poses a significant geopolitical concern, prompting a high-level meeting between India and the US, indicating their intention to strengthen democratic and security partnerships as a means of countering China's aggression.
While India and China maintain diplomatic relations, tensions have escalated since the Himalayan clash, and neoliberal trade theories only partially mitigate the situation. Despite benefiting from each other's economies, Modi recognises the threat posed by Beijing's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, aligning him with Biden's concerns. Modi's emphasis on prioritising peace and security in the Indo-Pacific can be seen as a direct reference to China. Consequently, military arms deals with the US will likely lead to increased military cooperation between India and the US, serving as a counterweight against China's military presence.
Furthermore, India's move to purchase arms from the US signals its intention to reduce reliance on arms imports from Moscow. This development suggests that, although India maintains a formal stance of neutrality, it is implicitly expressing its disapproval of the Ukrainian conflict. Such a strategic move by India helps maintain favourable relations with Russia, a country with which it has maintained ties since the Soviet Union's collapse, while avoiding any potential negative repercussions from the West. Notably, India still buys oil from Russia, an economic necessity that Washington understands.
Modi's visit to Washington serves to convey two main messages: India's formal neutrality regarding Russia and the US, and its informal opposition to the Ukrainian conflict. Simultaneously, the purchase of military arms from the US highlights India's aspiration for a more balanced approach to security, seeking to counter China's military strength in the Asia-Pacific region. In this critical assessment, the implications of President Modi's visit to the White House are not only substantial but also hold crucial ramifications for regional dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.