Dr. Mohan Malik’s article “Balancing Act: The China-India-U.S. Triangle”  was published in the Spring 2016 edition of World Affairs.  Malik discusses the evolving security relationships between the three nations, particularly in light of China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea.  He states that “Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister who has not uttered the ‘N’ word — ‘non-alignment’ — even once since coming to power in 2014.  A “Modified India” has moved away from this Nehruvian notion to skillfully play the balance-of-power game as a “leading power.”  Malik adds, “Apprehension about China has buried new Delhi’s Cold War-era opposition to U.S. forward presence, now viewed as ‘invaluable in balancing China’s power and outreach.’  For its part, Washington strategy documents talk of India’s positive role as a ‘net security provider in the Indian Ocean and beyond.'”  Malik closes his article by sketching out three scenarios of the triangle to the year 2030 and addressing potential dynamics at work in the complex relationship.

Malik also authored “Xi’s Reforms and the U.S.-China Relationship,” published in the August 2016 edition of Defense Dossier.  He relates how China President Xi Jinping’s ascent has been marked by a rejuvenation of the Communist Party, centralization of power, the revival of nationalist fervor and suppression of democratic ideals.   Malik states that Xi maintains global power ambitions that drive China’s external policy, which includes challenging American influence in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.  He writes, “…Beijing dubs America’s regional alliances as ‘relics of the Cold War’ that must be dismantled in order to restore what it calls ‘natural power balance in the region.'”

Malik is a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of DKI APCSS, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

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