An Asia Pacific Bulletin released by the East-West Center in Washington said the US is outsourcing its policy for Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the Maldives to India by implying that India should lead them. The bulletin mentions that the US Indo-Pacific Strategy’s (IPS) scope should shift from India and Pakistan to the remaining five Smaller South Asian (SSA) countries.
I'm delighted to share a new @EWCinWashington series w/experts from #Bangladesh #Bhutan #Maldives #Nepal #SriLanka on the #IndoPacificStrategy at 1 Year: @pandeyavasna @Kuthibari @RangaJayasuriya @DidRasheeda @gopibhutan, & me on #SmallerSouthAsian states https://t.co/RCNFahpyWk pic.twitter.com/binqvH54Hq
— Nilanthi Samaranayake (@nilanthis) May 24, 2023
Don’t View SSAs from Lens of Other Nations
Highlighting that the US IPS released in February 2022 refers to India as a “like-minded partner and leader in South Asia and the Indian Ocean,” the report says there is no mention of any other South Asian country in the US Indo-Pacific Action Plan.
“The implication of the IPS is that the smaller countries in the region are to be led by India, inadvertently suggesting that Washington is outsourcing policy to the largest, most populous, and economically and militarily powerful country in South Asia,” the report adds.
SSAs are of interest to the US, but it has neglected them because of excessive focus on India and Pakistan. While earlier, these countries were defined as India’s neighbourhood, they are now called the “string of pearls” with respect to China. The communique mentions that viewing SSAs from the lens of other countries is not fruitful.
“Better aligning US strategy toward SSA countries with policy goals should be a priority for officials in the second year of the IPS.”
Many thanks to @USAsiaPacific and @USAIDAsiaHQ for their presentations and insights on “The Objectives of U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy” at our “U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy at One Year” conference! #USAPEC2023 pic.twitter.com/XXKMa46n9O
— East-West Center in Washington (@EWCinWashington) March 14, 2023
Importance of SSAs to the US
The SSAs have sizable populations and make significant economic contributions. Accordingly, the US must incorporate them in its IPS.
US values and interests in the SSAs lie in their location, economics, and governance. The geographic location of Nepal and Bhutan is strategically valuable for the US as they lie between India and China. Furthermore, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh also hold strategic value for the US.
The report mentions that while the US policy omits SSAs from its IPS, it has engaged with the region by helping these nations build their capacity and engage in defence ties with these nations.
The US also provides financing prospects to these nations through Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC) and Development Finance Cooperation. It offered 240 million dollars in aid to Sri Lanka and is the largest contributor to the IMF, helping Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka strengthen their economies.
The bulletin mentions that the US must not see the world solely through the prism of strategic competition. It should engage in ways that would prompt “SSA countries to ultimately see their US engagement as a chance to strengthen their autonomy and economic development.”