The Emergence of US-India-China Triangle and Strategic Prospects for India

The post-Cold War global order has witnessed the emergence of a new triangular dynamics between the United States, China and India, which further developed aftermath of the event of 9/11. As well, the rise of China and India, and their relative impact on the US supremacy have made the US-India-China triangle a subject of intense analysis, and the management of this triangle is now also overarching challenge for India's strategy. Obama's “rebalance to Asia” policy has further marked the strategic importance of this triangle in rebalancing Asia and acknowledged the significant role that India could play in stabilising the Asian security order. Hence, this paper emphasizes the significance of the emerging US-India-China triangle and analyses the strategic prospects for India. The aim of the paper is to examine the all possible scenarios of US-India-China triangle and investigate that how India deals with these challenges, which not only affect India's relations with the US and China but also likely impact the dimensions of India's strategy. Thus, it presents some of the ways those India can choose to manage this strategic triangle. This paper also pays particular attention to India's existing strategy and its potential pitfalls and possibilities.