India turns down US plans to counter China

[Adnan Faruqi]

India turns down US plans to counter China

New Delhi: Concerned that the new-found US focus on Asia will lead to greater militarization in its immediate neighbourhood, specially the Bay of Bengal region, India today politely, but firmly, told US secretary of Defence Lean Panetta that there is a need to re-calibrate and rethink the just announced US Asia- Pacific policy.

The new US policy called 'Rebalancing of Military Strategy with focus on Asia-Pacific' envisages major changes in deployment and proposes that at least 60 per cent of US Naval assets would be deployed in Asia-Pacific.

India's western sea board and Arabian Sea has perhaps the highest number of warships deployed at a given time. Warships from countries, as varied as Iran, France UK, US, China and India, are all deployed in the Arabian Sea. The Eastern sea board of China already has a port in Hangyyi in Myanmar while US has south berthing rights in Chittagong Port, India has a massive presence in the Andaman Nicober Islands. The new US focus and presence of more US warships in the Eastern sea board, India fears will lead to more militarization.

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Clearly, India's stand shows that it doesn't share the American perception of the Asia-Pacific region entirely, and would prefer the company and presence of countries likes Vietnam, Philippines and others to be involved when solution to the South-China sea issue is worked out.

In the hour-long meeting between the Defence Minister A K Antony and Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta India 'emphasized' the need to take the relationship beyond "buyer-seller transaction", a senior MoD official said. India wants US to focus on technology transfer and a strong partnership "to build indigenous capabilities." India is likely to buy ultra-light howitzer and attack helicopters from US.

There was, however, complete convergence of view between the two heavy weights on Pakistan and ******* region. Sources tell NDTV that the US expressed deep concern over the worsening situation in ******* region and the support that the Haqqani network continues to receive from Pakistan.
US wants India to deepen its engagement in Afghanistan. India now trains about 1000 officers of Aghan National Army and other security establishment. Although Afghanistan has sought weapons and equipments from India, including tanks, India hasn't yet taken a decision on whether or not to supply and equip the Afghan Army. In today's meeting India and US discussed the possible situation in Afghanistan after December 2014, when the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces withdraws from Afghanistan.

Interestingly, US didn't raise the issue of India dragging its feet on signing agreements like the Logistic Supply Agreement (LSA), the Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA).

India doesn't want to sign any of these agreements as it would bind them to give logistic support to the US fleet and troops, and on the other hand CISMOA will force India to share certain critical communication codes with the US. For the last seven years India has maintained that it is 'studying' the agreements and hasn't come to any conclusion. Clearly, US doesn't pin much hope on India coming on board on these issues and is now willing to put these issues aside and work with India.


India turns down US plans to counter China

 

[kumarkumar1867]

Bravo India....This justifies the legacy of Priyadarshan Samrat Ashoka we have.

 

[Shinigami]

Hafiss will get a heart attack

this is against his very believes

 

[IndoCarib]

"Clearly, India's stand shows that it doesn't share the American perception of the Asia-Pacific region entirely, and would prefer the company and presence of countries likes Vietnam, Philippines and others to be involved when solution to the South-China sea issue is worked out"

There is no denying that china has to be contained. But we dont need US to do that.

 

[SpArK]

Ties with China priority of India's foreign policy: SM Krishna

India on Wednesday told China that it sees improving bilateral ties as a priority of its foreign policy and expressed desire to expand strategic cooperation, setting aside concerns here over future direction of the relations in the backdrop of the big US push into the Asia-Pacific region.

Conveying a strong message about India's intention to firm up ties with China, visiting External Affairs Minister SM Krishna told Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang that it is important for both the countries to build trust and understanding to maintain strong and healthy relationship.

"I conveyed to him that our relations with China are a priority in India's foreign policy and we believe that India-China relations will be one of the most important bilateral relationships in the 21st century," Krishna told the Indian media here after a 45-minute meeting with Li, who is widely tipped to take over as Prime Minister next year after the leadership change in the ruling CPC.

"I indicated that India desires to expand the strategic and cooperative partnership that exists between our countries. It is important for us to continue building better understanding and trust between us since that will help to maintain a strong and healthy relationship between India and China," he said.

His assertion about India's desire to build friendship with China comes after US announcement about a major push into the Asia-Pacific, specially the South China Sea, where China is grappling with maritime disputes with a host of countries.


Chinese analysts feel that the US is wooing India in a bid to counter China's growing influence in Asia-Pacific.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, who announced Washington's plans to deploy 60 per cent of US naval assets in the Asia-Pacific in the next few years raising strong concerns in Beijing, is currently in India seeking to strength US-India military ties.

Asked whether the US policy of Asia Pivot figured in the talks and what was his message to the Chinese leadership, Krishna said his discussions centred on the "bigger picture" of improving bilateral ties in the light of leadership changes coming up in China.

On the South China Sea, Krishna said "India's position is very clear. These are all international waterways to increase trade amongst nations, hence we will have to look at it from that angle. We have to strengthen that angle," he said, adding India is willing to cooperate with other countries so that the trade relations will get a boost through these waterways.


The Indian minister, who is here to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, said he utilised the meeting with Li to understand how the new and younger Chinese leadership thinks about future direction of India-China ties.

Li is set to assume higher responsibilities, Krishna said referring to reports that Li is set to take over as Premier after incumbent Wen Jiabao's retirement this year.

"We discussed the bigger picture, the vision that the Vice Premier has for India-China relationship and what he feels, what he believes to be the agenda for the next decade," Krishna said.

"So I think it was like a peep into the future with the Vice Premier being the head of the government here in the policy-making process. That way I feel very encouraged," he said.

Krishna said he invited Li to visit India and the Chinese leader responded by saying that he had visited the country in 1985 as a youth Communist activist.

"India is not the same as it was in 1985, so I look forward to his (Li's) visit to India at his convenience," he said.

On India's membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation which is pending along with that of Pakistan and Mongolia, Krishna said "We have been coming to SCO since 2005 as observers and we have made known our seriousness in our association with this very important grouping."

Krishna said India's track record with other groupings is well known and added that finalisation of the membership in the China-backed forum will come after completion of modalities, terms and conditions under which the new members could be admitted.

SCO members are Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Pakistan, India, Iran and Mongolia have the observer status and Turkmenistan and Afghanistan attend SCO gatherings as guest nations, while Belarus and Sri Lanka have the status of dialogue partners.

In his talks with Li, Krishna also sought China's participation in the massive infrastructure projects undertaken by India and assured him of creating a level- playing field for Chinese companies in the international bidding process.

He also asked China to address the trade imbalance between the two countries.

India-China trade has gone up to USD 74 billion but it is heavily tilted towards China.

The Chinese Vice Premier was positive in his response, Krishna said, adding that the Chinese government is encouraging Chinese companies to invest in India, especially in infrastructure.

"He (Li) agreed that for trade to be sustainable it has to be balanced," Krishna said.

The Indian minister is due to meet his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi tomorrow during which, he said, he would discuss the issue of two Indian traders, Shyam Sunder Agrawal and Deepak Rajeja, who have been stranded here.

Ties with China priority of India's foreign policy: SM Krishna - India - DNA

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

There is no denying that china has to be contained. But we dont need US to do that.

Both the USA and the USSR have been trying to contain us since the early days of the Cold War, when they were both our sworn enemies.

But we have only became stronger. The USA is now our biggest trading partner (and we are also their largest creditor), and the USSR is gone.

India hasn't even started to contain us yet, and their economy is already tanking. At least the USA has got the economic muscle to back it up.

 

[IndoCarib]

Both the USA and the USSR have been trying to contain us since the early days of the Cold War, when they were both our sworn enemies.

But we have only became stronger. The USA is now our biggest trading partner (and we are also their largest creditor), and the USSR is gone.

India hasn't even started to contain us yet, and their economy is already tanking. At least the USA has got the economic muscle to back it up.

We don't need anybody's economic muscle to back us. We have enough of our own. We just need to form a strategic military partnership with countries china has problems with. That will make china sit up and take notice

 

[Adnan Faruqi]

Both the USA and the USSR have been trying to contain us since the early days of the Cold War, when they were both our sworn enemies.

But we have only became stronger. The USA is now our biggest trading partner (and we are also their largest creditor), and the USSR is gone.

India hasn't even started to contain us yet, and their economy is already tanking. At least the USA has got the economic muscle to back it up.

Don't post 100% BS.

In first 20 years of its existence china gets everything by the blessings of russia and then for last 30 years its USA's blessings against USSR that helped china.

So no achievement in this.

The chinese economy is in present shape is due to the infrastructure created by Japanese and investment by Americans.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

^^^ LOL at your dreams, and here is the reality:

Indian GDP growth falls to 5.3% - Financial Times

No need for panic after S&P India downgrade: Mukherjee | Reuters

If both the superpowers USA and USSR couldn't do it, then how on Earth can India do it? Even Italy and Canada have bigger economies than India does.

India needs the USA, because India simply has no chance of winning a two-front war against China+Pakistan combined, which the Indian Army is always warning about.

India's own Armed Forces have already admitted that India cannot hope to match China in "any parameter", from economy to defence. That's why it is only right and natural that India should compensate by going with the USA.

 

[Gandhi G in da house]

^^^ Here we go . He just has to come in and screw everything over . One more nice thread gone down the drain thanks to our very own Chini mini dragon .

 

[IndoCarib]

^^^ LOL at your dreams, and here is the reality:

Indian GDP growth falls to 5.3% - Financial Times

No need for panic after S&P India downgrade: Mukherjee | Reuters

If both the superpowers USA and USSR couldn't do it, then how on Earth can India do it? Even Italy and Canada have bigger economies than India does.

India NEEDS the USA. India simply has no chance of winning a two-front war against China+Pakistan combined, which the Indian Army is always warning about.

That is like 100 times you posted that link in one week.

We dont intend to attack china unilaterally. And I dont think china is stupid enough to make unprovoked advance on us. In case it does, the alliance with Vietnam & Philippines that I am proposing should be tested in full force

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

^^^ Here we go . He just has to come in and screw everything over . One more nice thread gone down the drain thanks to our very own Chini mini dragon .

IndoCarib was the one saying that India could contain China.

Am I not allowed to point out how incredible (delusional) that is?

 

[T-Rex]

^^^ LOL at your dreams, and here is the reality:

Indian GDP growth falls to 5.3% - Financial Times

No need for panic after S&P India downgrade: Mukherjee | Reuters

If both the superpowers USA and USSR couldn't do it, then how on Earth can India do it? Even Italy and Canada have bigger economies than India does.

India needs the USA, because India simply has no chance of winning a two-front war against China+Pakistan combined, which the Indian Army is always warning about.

India's own Armed Forces have already admitted that India cannot hope to match China in "any parameter", from economy to defence. That's why it is only right and natural that India should compensate by going with the USA.

So far uncle sam has been very polite with india, let's see how long this politeness lasts. It's only a matter of time when india will be told " You're either with us or against us." We can expect to see that scenario when uncle sam's great design in Iran or the South China Sea will stumble upon a major difficulty.

 

[SpArK]

^^^ LOL at your dreams, and here is the reality:

Indian GDP growth falls to 5.3% - Financial Times

No need for panic after S&P India downgrade: Mukherjee | Reuters

If both the superpowers USA and USSR couldn't do it, then how on Earth can India do it? Even Italy and Canada have bigger economies than India does.

India needs the USA, because India simply has no chance of winning a two-front war against China+Pakistan combined, which the Indian Army is always warning about.

India's own Armed Forces have already admitted that India cannot hope to match China in "any parameter", from economy to defence. That's why it is only right and natural that India should compensate by going with the USA.

GDP 5.3 %... posts 7th consecutive day... UROBOT...

 

[lightoftruth]

containing China is a global effort these days from many nations because of hegemonous nature of pla .India don't believe in creating a relatively peaceful border with China a battlefield and China seems to be busy with south China sea.

thus we both have our priorities in regional stability relating to different situations for us in terrorism from Pakistan (which is common for China too) and for China Taiwan,Tibet,SCS many.

thus this stand was predictable.