Abstract
ABSTRACT In the years leading up to 2020, India–China relations were often described as being in a state of uneasy uncertainty. Despite robust bilateral trade, China frequently made attempts to challenge the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) through below-threshold tactical incursions. However, the situation took a significant turn in May 2020 when China’s expansionist agenda became apparent, resulting in provocative incursions that ultimately led to the tragic Galwan clash. While the precise motivations behind China’s actions are multifaceted, certain trends in India’s foreign policy choices stand out as contributing factors that may have pushed China to a tipping point. This article contends that India’s burgeoning defense and security partnership with the US, which has increasingly impacted the security, stability, and balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region, could have been a leading reason for the incursion. China views India’s strengthening relations with the US as a strategic move, viewing India as a tool or part of the US containment strategy against China. This paper specifically examines the political, security, military, and other developments in India–US relations and beyond which caused concern in Beijing and, in turn, contributed to China’s aggressive actions along the LAC in May 2020.
Published Version
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