A report released by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) on Thursday said that the US should bolster ties with allies, including India, to confront China’s “aggressive behaviour” and compete with Beijing’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Supporting a “Strong and Democratic” India
Stating that the US should encourage a “strong and democratic” India to counter China, the report emphasised that Washington should expand ties with New Delhi in all major fields.
It noted that since ties with India have “been on an upward trajectory for more than two decades,” the time is ripe for the two countries to work together to contain China’s influence. “Security ties have deepened dramatically in recent years as both countries are increasingly concerned about the implications of a more assertive China,” the document said.
1. In December, we announced several new force posture initiatives with Australia to increase our capabilities across a range of domains, including U.S. Bomber Task Force rotations, fighter rotations, and future rotations of @USNavy + @USArmy capabilities. https://t.co/s9cTcOn83l
— Dr. Ely Ratner (@ASD_IndoPacific) February 9, 2023
Calling India a “major defence partner” of the US, the SFRC strongly suggested increased partnership in the fields of defence and security, particularly in new and emerging technologies like quantum computing, biotech, artificial intelligence, 5G and 6G networks, and semiconductors. In this respect, it praised the recent bilateral initiative to collaborate on critical and emerging technologies.
The report further underscored the need for the US to “address the very real complications” of India’s continued ties and dependence on Russia for defence equipment and its “recent downward trend of democratic values and institutions.”
Expanding Regional Initiatives
The report calls on the US administration to lay greater emphasis on boosting ties with the Pacific Island nations and strengthen the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP) initiative to include India, Germany, France, and South Korea.
The PBP is a US-led effort that brings together Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the UK to combat the “existential threat of climate change” in the Pacific.
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The SFRC notes that Washington should strengthen and invest more in the Quad — an informal grouping of the US, India, Japan, and Australia — and take steps to “institutionalise a more routine tempo of meetings, preparatory consultations, and structured working groups.”
It added that the US should consider proposals for a ‘Quad-Plus’ grouping that could involve South Korea or France.
Other Steps to Counter China
The report urges the Biden administration to make the Indo-Pacific a “priority” area for the US and increase assistance to the region. It calls for increasing economic and trade ties with regional countries, especially Taiwan.
Additionally, the document emphasises the importance of bolstering deterrence against Chinese activities through expanding American security and non-security efforts in the region. One of the measures suggested by the SFRC is to undertake measures to “deter coercive Chinese actions against Taiwan.”
The SFRC stressed that the US should also make “strategic investments” in the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Digital Silk Road.