The US-India Strategic Partnership and the China Challenge : Implications for Regional Stability in South Asia / Khloud Al Ameri.

Includes author biography (page 119)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 105 - 117).

Introduction -- 1. India-US: Exploring a Strategic Partnership -- 2. India-China: Unraveling Complex Rivalry -- 3. US-China: The Dynamics of Competition -- 4. China's Perspective on South Asia: Geopolitical and Economic Dimensions -- 5. Discussion: Strategic Rivalries and Alliances US, India and China in South Asia -- Conclusion -- Bibliography -- About the Author.

This study examines the evolving US–India strategic partnership amid intensifying geopolitical competition with China in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. Shifting regional dynamics, primarily China’s expanding economic, military, and diplomatic influence, alongside the perceived decline of US dominance and the rise of middle powers, has transformed India into a central pillar of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Through a detailed exploration of the economic, defense, and geopolitical drivers underpinning closer US–India cooperation, the study examines border disputes, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, expanding Chinese military capabilities, and Beijing’s close ties with Pakistan, as key factors driving India’s alignment with the US. It argues that the partnership relies on flexible forms of cooperation, such as defense collaboration, economic integration, and soft balancing, rather than traditional military alliances. At the same time, the author emphasizes that India continues to pursue a cautious strategy in relation to Beijing, seeking to counter China’s regional assertiveness without provoking direct confrontation or abandoning its independent foreign policy. The study therefore presents the partnership as one of converging interests rather than complete strategic alignment. The research offers a timely assessment of the implications of the US–India partnership for regional stability, security, and the evolving balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. It concludes that for both the US and India, sustaining regional stability requires careful diplomacy, coordinated economic and security policies, and recognition of the differing national interests that shape their strategic choices.