Congressman Ro Khanna, an Indian-American congressman representing Silicon Valley in the US House of Representatives, revealed that lately Indians see China as their greatest military threat, not Pakistan, and urged for a constructive re-balancing of the relationship between the two countries. India has had a frozen relationship with China since the military contest in Ladakh in May 2020 and has had 17 rounds of high-level military talks to try and resolve the conflict.
India believes that a healthy partnership with China cannot form unless the border areas are peaceful. Khanna brought up the four key solutions for a constructive re-balancing with China, which include an economic reset of reducing trade deficits and tensions, establishing open lines of communication, effective military deterrence, and respect for partners in Asia as well as in its international economic engagements. Khanna also discussed the importance of having an American production renaissance, which was stated in 2010 by Intel CEO Andy Grove, and an Asian American diaspora that acknowledges the need for open lines and exchanges with Asia.
Furthermore, the United States wants to increase its alliances with India and other Asian counties, keeping in mind the history of colonialism and the pride many Asian countries have. The US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology is yet one more way to deepen the technological partnership with India and other Asian nations. The establishment of the Quad–involving the United States, Australia, India, and Japan–backs the initiative for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, away from the clutches of China’s growing military presence, as it claims sovereignty in both the South and East China Seas, and militarizes each area for minerals, oil, and other natural resources.
The Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna is a respected figure in the US, recognized for his insight in foreign policy issues and for his prominence in the Congressional India Caucus. His commitment to diplomacy and nonviolent solutions to global issues is something we should all value and consider our worldviews from. With this thinking, rapprochement between India and China may be a thought to consider in the near future.
