US President Mr Joe Biden had arrived in South Korea a few days ago. After a three-day visit including a summit with his South Korean counterpart, Mr Yoon Suk-yeol, he will arrive in Japan for talks with Japanese Prime Minister Mr Fumio Kishida.
Thereafter, In Tokyo, Mr Biden will attend a summit of the leaders of the Quad grouping and launch the Indo – Pacific Economic Framework an agreement that seeks to set standards on supply chains, worker protections, decarbonisation and anti-corruption.
So, Looking at the itinerary and the ongoing events at the world stage, the purpose of Mr Biden’s visit, can be summarized as follows ;
One. Showing that if US can respond to Russian aggression in Ukraine it can at the same time support its Asian allies to counter China’s growing economic and military clout in the region.
Two. If The Ukraine war is all about upholding the rules-based international order (RBIO), the US is capable to uphold the RBIO in Asia Pacific Region as well.
Three. Mr Biden might be wanting to send “powerful message” to China and others about what the world could look like if democracies “stand together to shape the rules of the road”.
Four. Finally, Building personal ties with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts.
What About India.
If isolating Russia and China are now key policy objectives for Washington, then India which opposed this move while discussing the Quad objectives will be seen as an important obstacle.
In response to these efforts, India has already begun talks with Moscow to explore ways to sidestep Western sanctions, including by trading in their own currencies. Prior to war, Russia was only a marginal energy supplier to India. But in March and April of this year alone, India has signed contracts to import more oil and even coal from Russia than it did in 2021.
The problem for Washington is that they thought that India would serve as a frontline state to checkmate China but over the years US is now facing an even more fundamental question:
Is India really a reliable ally against China?
Much of America’s rivalry with China is now a battle of norms to shape the world: human rights, rule of law, rights of self-determination and sovereignty, freedom of navigation in the seas, a free internet, free flow of data across borders, climate action responsibility, and so on, But on all these counts India is now being seen back sliding.
Off late, many analysts have written that India’s democratic backsliding puts it more at odds with Washington and even on many other issues and in debates at various International forums — India has agreed more with China than with the U.S.
Recently during the Fourth Annual U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in 2022, when US had a tougher language when it came to China, a source revealed, India once again had a soft stance. One source described India’s stance “ China is our immediate neighbour. We seek to maintain good ties with all our neighbours, but at the same time we are also investing in strengthening our military, which is also very important,”
Conclusion
So, India will continue to remain a political dilemma for US and as a result when US president on his Asia visit meets South Korean President to build personal relationship, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on last Wednesday met Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who visited USA on the invitation of US President and both talked on regional security as well as strengthening bilateral economic and commercial ties.
A few months ago one Indian diplomat had said ;
"We are at a crossroad today … We must choose our friends and partners very carefully.”
Although the Indian external affairs ministry is displaying aggression while dealing with the West on the issue of Russia but given the difficult economic situation India is facing and China not relenting on Borders , it is advisable that we choose our friends and partners carefully.