Great powers and Asia’s destiny

Abstract

Despite the prospects for a new Cold War in Asia between the United States and China, the region might continue to witness strong tendencies towards multipolarity. India, which in the past marginalized itself from the security politics of East Asia, is acquiring a greater salience in the region, thanks to accelerated economic growth and expanding military capabilities. Delhi is likely to reflect the region’s reluctance to be strait-jacketed by a bipolar framework between Washington and Beijing. India will seek simultaneous improvement in its relations with both Washington and Beijing, and might not accept calls for choosing between them. India recognizes the limits of security regionalism in Asia and could be interested in a sustained triangular dialogue with the United States and China in addressing regional and global problems.

• Asia
• balance of power
• China
• great powers
• India

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C. Raja Mohan

Biographical note

C. Raja Mohan heads the strategic studies programme at the Observer Research Foundation, Delhi. He is a visiting research professor at the Institute of South Asian Studies in Singapore and a non-resident senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington DC. His book, Samudra Manthan: Sino-Indian Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific was published in 2012.