NationStates Jolt Archive

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,352465,00.html
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,404535,00.html

Two articles here about essentially the same topic: India is a coming power in the world, and it looks like it could well pick sides.

So that leaves them with the choice between allying themselves with the US or China.

The US is currently the hyperpower. They are also ideologically aligned with India. They have technology and influence that could help India.
But on the other hand, the US has traditionally seemed more friendly with Pakistan, even going so far as to let protect Pakistani genocidal attacks on civilians in Bangladesh. So India has for some time not been the biggest fan of the Americans.
And then there is of course the argument that the US might be on the decline, that it might not survive the emergence of China, the pressures it faces economically as well as politically and ideologically.

China and India on the other hand have a lot in common economically. They both face the same problems (http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,404191,00.html), and it seems likely that similar solutions will help both. Then there is the fact that an alliance between the two would ultimately be the biggest bloc on this planet. And in an alliance with China, India would be an equal partner - it's unlikely that any country will ever enjoy such status in an alliance with the US.
But then, the Chinese and the Indians know little about each other. They fought a war or two, and just a decade ago the two seemed rather hostile.

So who do you think will India choose?

India will juggle both menu on a single platter.

Neither.

India looks like it will mostly go its own path, but be quite friendly with the europeans(including russia).

India has fought wars with China this century. One of the main reasons it has its military, other than pakistan, is to protect from possible chinese attacks. The Indians allying with China is about as likely as Israel and Syria allying.

The Indians won't ally with America, either. They will be friendly; there are things to be gained with being friendly. But India doesn't, and cannot trust America. It supports the pakistani's too much. Its also not been reliable in the past, whenever it had a spat with a country, america has often deprives the other nation of military parts, or tried to get sanctions put on them. America is a great ally, until they aren't.

France and Russia especially have been good friends with India over the last 50 years. The two have supplied the Indians with military goods quite well, quite consistantly. Europe isn't very friendly with pakistan, except possibly some of the smaller nations. France in particular is getting very close with India. The EU + India, with russia staying neutral at worst, would probably be the biggest bloc of power in the next 50 years or so.

Remember though to also have a look at the articles. They talk about some issues that might sway your decision.

The situation is going to be one juicy economic love triangle.

The situation is going to be one juicy economic love triangle.

OOOOOO, kinky;).

India's too pragmatic to burn the bridges with either ally. The only possibility where that could happen was war; otherwise they'll just play off both sides.

Oh, and both your articles talk about the China-India relationship. Don't you have any about the US-India one?

Oh, and both your articles talk about the China-India relationship. Don't you have any about the US-India one?
Oh, yeah true.

Well, here ya go:
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,403968,00.html
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C03%5C09%5Cstory_9-3-2006_pg3_4 (This one comes from a Pakistan newspaper, so take with a grain or two of salt)
http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/ambmar232004.html (This comes from a US embassador, so take the whole salt shaker while you're at it ;) )
http://www.usindiafriendship.net/viewpoints1/viewpoints.htm

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,387701,00.html
This one is just about India by itself.

Nice OP, Leonstein.

Some of the postors above have already said what I wanted to say. India will like to have good economic relations with both countries.

And if China is willing to let go of its "contain India" policy (arming Pakistan and even Bangladesh, occupation of Aksai Chin and further claims on Indian territory, intrusion into the Indian ocean which India sees as its ocean and its courtship of the despots of Myanmar, Nepal etc), India would not be averse in even an enhanced cooperation interms of military etc.

Military cooperation with US is on the up, but this would not mean that India had already picked a side (US).

India would strive for a multi polar world with India occupying the south Asian pole - the arc stetching from the East Africa, to the Malacca straits...basically the coastal regions of the Indian Ocean and the 7 south Asian countries.

India would certainly court both the sides and try to avoid picking a side, because there is so much to be made from both sides in a peaceful cooperation. Barring unforeseen events, that is what will happen...unless there is a flare up in Taiwan and there is a direct US-China confrontation or there is a severe provocation from Pak jihadis and India decides to invade Pak and China pitches in for Pak.

China has signed an agreement that it will protect the sovereignity of Pakistan. So that should be counted as a factor too.

*shrug*
We live in a world of 5 veto powers.
India has the friends it needs, and neither the US nor the PRC can afford to switch the table on Pakistan, leaving the remaining power firmly in control.

India has the power to become a major player without allying to either China or the US. I see no reason why they would not do so.

India has the power to become a major player without allying to either China or the US. I see no reason why they would not do so.
Economic alliances are necessary for any would-be power. I think it will side with the US, but also maintain a friendly stance with China. That would leave the EU with Japan, the US and possibly Russia to juggle about.

India and China absolutely loathe each other, so if they had to choose one bloc to align with, it would most likely be America's.

Wait...be patient...just 2 or 3 years and south africa rules the world...

Wait...be patient...just 2 or 3 years and south africa rules the world...
^^ Wouldn't that be awesome. Or maybe we just let it into the EU.