WashingtonIntensified frictions between India and China raise the potential for an open conflict and could serve as an impetus for further US-India strategic cooperation that could have implications for Beijing, according to a Congressional report.
The two-page brief report by independent and bipartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) titled China-Border Tensions at Doka La comes amidst continued standoff between the soldiers of two countries in the Sikkim sector.
Intensified frictions raise the potential for open conflict and could serve as an impetus for further US-India strategic cooperation that could have implications for China. An issue for Congress is whether to call on the Trump Administration to put forth a strategy and report on this strategic development, the CRS said in its insight report.
CRS is an independent research wing of the US Congress, which prepares reports and policy papers for US lawmakers on issues of their interest for the Congressmen to take informed decision. Its reports are not considered as an official view of the US Congress.
The insight dated August 9 was released by non-profit Federation of American Scientists on Friday.
The US has maintained neutrality on the India-China border standoff and repeatedly encouraged the two countries to resolve their dispute through talks.
Recent border tensions between India and China may be indicative of a new phase of heightened Sino-Indian rivalry. This rivalry is manifesting itself not only along the two nations 2,167-mile-long disputed Himalayan border, but also throughout South Asia and the broader Indian Ocean littoral region, said the CRS insight authored by Bruce Vaughn.
A specialist in Asian Affairs, Vaughn notes that the border standoff at Doka La marks a shift in China-India ties that likely has more to do with the broader relationship than with the Himalayan border alone.
An intensification of rivalry between China and India appears to be under way, he wrote.
For New Delhi, Chinas efforts to block India from membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, develop the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor through a part of Kashmir claimed by India, protect a Pakistan-based terrorist from UN sanctions, and develop Chinas strategic presence in the Indian Ocean littoral have combined to increase New Delhis frustration with and suspicion of China, Vaughn wrote.
China has been wary of Indias decisions to not attend Chinas Belt and Road summit in May 2017, allow the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh, and continue to develop strategic ties with the US. Given these larger dynamics, as well as specific statements and posturing on Doka La, it may be some time before the dispute is fully resolved, the report concluded.
Trump studying options for new South Asia strategy: White House
President Donald Trump is “studying and considering his options” for a new strategy to protect the American interest in South Asia, the White House said today after a meeting of Trump with his top national security aides.
The President would take a final decision on this at an appropriate time, it said, without divulging the details of the meeting.
South Asia strategy primarily means the policy in Afghanistan, but the Trump administration feels that the wartorn country needs a regional approach to resolve the decades old problem.
“The President is studying and considering his options and will make an announcement to the American people, to our allies and partners, and to the world at the appropriate time,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement after Trump received the briefing from his national security team at the rustic presidential retreat Camp David.
Besides the National Security Adviser Lt Gen H R McMaster, the meeting was attended by Vice President Mike Pence, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, Director of national Intelligence Daniel Coats, and President’s top Adviser on South Asia Lisa Curtis.
Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffand and US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, attended the meeting through a secured video conference.
The administration has said its Afghanistan strategy will be informed by a review of its approach to the broader region, including Pakistan and India.
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