During a press briefing, United States (US) Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that Washington is “concerned” by China’s aggression along the borders with its neighbours, specifically addressing the ongoing tensions with India. She said that President Joe Biden’s administration continues to closely monitor the dispute and promote a “peaceful resolution” based on dialogue.
She highlighted that Chinese attempts to “intimidate” India and other neighbours were “destabilising” the region. She declared that the US would “continue to stand” with its allies on the issue. Apart from India, this was an indication of the US support for Taiwan, Japan, and its other partners in the Indo-Pacific, where China has stepped up its aggressive posturing.
Psaki further celebrated India as a critical partner of the US. Recalling Biden’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said that their discussions launched “a new chapter in the history of US-India relations.” Consequently, the two leaders presented a “shared vision” for their partnership. As a result of this, Psaki said that the governments can be expected to move forward on several initiatives including cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, strengthening the Quad, and expanding trade and investment ties.
The statement came as India and China participated in the 14th round of commander-level talks aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing standoff in eastern Ladakh, which erupted on May 5, 2020. The discussions, scheduled for January 12, are being held after three months. The previous round, held on October 10, 2021, ended in a stalemate with the Indian army accusing the Chinese side of failing to adopt its “constructive suggestions.” Meanwhile, China said that India was not seeking to reach a “forward-looking” solution to the dispute.
As for Wednesday’s discussions, India has said it is seeking a “constructive” dialogue with China, specifically on the issue of disengagement in the Hot Springs area. Meanwhile, the Chinese government-run media house Global Times reported that despite the “unreasonable and unrealistic demands” made by India in the previous round, the 14th meet is “expected to yield a better result.” It said that this is primarily a result of the “common interests” that the two sides have found, such as their mutual support for the Beijing-hosted Winter Olympic Games that have been boycotted by several Western powers.
Further, the article also criticised Psaki’s statements, which it said were merely in furtherance of the “China threat theory.” Quoting Chinese experts, the article warned India to “not become a pawn of the US.”
India continues to be a critical player in the US-China rivalry. As a neighbour of China and a country in the Indian Ocean, India is strategically located to further US interests in the Indo-Pacific, including the South China Sea and the East China Sea. As a result, India and the US have bolstered their cooperation over the past few years, specifically in defence and security through the Quad alliance.