United States-China-India Relationship

In the post Cold War era, a unique situation is developing in the Asia Pacific region wherein the United States is the lone dominant power with global outreach and China and India are emerging as Asian powers with global influence. These three major powers are so important to each other that a change in relationship between any two of them has a significant effect on the interests of the third. The purpose of this study is to explore the possibility of an evolution of a strategic triangle amongst U.S., China, and India. The primary research question of this thesis is, "With the rise in national power of China and India, will a strategic triangle emerge amongst China, India and United States?" The theoretical framework for the thesis' analysis addresses the issue of rise in national power of both China and India, and whether both can be termed as proto-peers to the United States. The analyses of their mutual convergences and divergences conclude that an asymmetric strategic triangle is slowly evolving among the three states and is getting stronger with the rise in national power of China and India. The strategic triangle will most likely assume the form of a complex and shifting triangular relationship in the future wherein each country will behave in such a manner so as to meet their national interests and objectives. Each country will attempt to forge partnerships with the others where their interests converge, leverage the support of one against detrimental initiatives of the other, and prevent the other two from forming an alignment against it. The study also recommends certain policy initiatives aimed at strengthening convergences and bridging divergences in order to attain a win-all situation and promote global peace and security.