US is building on its countering hegemonistic China strategy
Two important policy directions came out in the past few days with a preview to the changing global narrative on various issues. The United States of America came out with their national security strategy which clearly outlines the direction it wants to take on retaining its numero uno position in the world order. President Joe Biden in his introductory remarks mentions: “The People’s Republic of China harbours the intention and, increasingly, the capacity to reshape the international order in favour of one that tilts the global playing field to its benefit, even as the United States remains committed to managing the competition between our countries responsibly.”
Russia also finds mention in the same paragraph but more as a considerably weakened superpower which is “reckless with its nuclear threats and shattered stability and peace in Europe and everywhere else”.
The US expects the next decade to be critical in the geopolitical show of strength primarily between itself and China, with their distinct models of governance. The idea is to out compete China and constrain Russia. A better part of the NSS has been dedicated to Indo Pacific region, which the US considers to be the most important region in the global order. It states that the prosperity of every American is inextricably tied to the Indo Pacific region.
The US wants a free and open Indo Pacific where “nations are free to make their own choices, consistent with obligations under international law”. The number one threat to a peaceful and prosperous Indo Pacific being a coercive China in the region. On India the NSS states “the world’s largest democracy and a major defense partner, the United States and India will work together, bilaterally and multilaterally, to support our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific”.
The US’s long term strategic allies in the region such as Australia, Japan, South Korea, Philippines and Thailand will continue the privileged status, while working with new partners through alliances like AUKUS (a military alliance between US, UK and Australia) and QUAD (group of four, including the US, Australia, Japan and India).
Towards this the US has pitched the Indo-Pacific economic framework, which is a broad alliance of 14 countries, including India (mostly from South and Southeast Asia) working on four nonmilitary pillars of economic and strategic cooperation. The United
The NSS came a few days before China held a once in a five-year Communist Party Congress, which concluded by reaffirming Xi Jinping as the supreme leader for the next five years. Xi refrained from making personal comments but continued to reaffirm his vision to lead and create China shaped and manufactured world order. He unequivocally reiterated to take quick and complete control over Taiwan.
In a loosely worded translation of his nearly two-hour speech, he mentioned returning to the glorious days with reunification and rejuvenation. This along his ‘Zero Covid Policy’ at home, while using all instruments of political and economic, domestically to control technology companies, which it sees as the game changer and critical element of controlling/reshaping the global order should be watched more carefully. Xi reiterated that he is determined to unilaterally change the sovereignty of nations and reclaim what it considers its own, without giving a second thought to sensitivities of erstwhile friends such as the US.
Also, it shows a dangerous trend to be more aggressive in the maritime waters or high mountains, which is where India needs to be alert.
(The author is a foreign affairs commentator)
