INDIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST: BALANCING STRATEGIC INTERESTS AMID US-CHINA RIVALRY AND REGIONAL SHIFTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/bma.v11i1.2475Keywords:
strategy, India, US, Indo-Pacific, economic, opportunities.Abstract
India’s role in the Indo-Pacific has become more important as US-China rivalry intensifies. With changing power
dynamics in the region, India has balanced its foreign policy to safeguard its interests and promote stability. This paper
examines India’s evolving strategy in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on its balancing act between the US and China in the
context of regional security and economic opportunities. While much has been written about the US-China rivalry, the
Indo-Pacific’s importance from India’s perspective has not been fully explored. This study aims to fill this gap by examining
India’s approach to its relations with key regional powers, particularly considering China’s growing influence. The paper
argues that India’s strategy involves engaging China while strengthening security ties with the US and other regional
partners to counterbalance China’s dominance. Through this approach, India seeks to maintain strategic autonomy,
protect its economic interests, and contribute to regional stability. However, the paper also notes that India’s strategy
doesn’t always fit traditional power-balancing theories, offering a unique model for smaller states navigating great power
competition.
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