historical Currents Shape Present india-US & India-China Dynamics
Recent geopolitical positioning between India,the United states,and China isn’t a sudden shift,but rather a continuation of long-standing historical patterns. A complex interplay of strategic support, historical grievances, and evolving power dynamics continues to define these relationships.During the Cold War, the United States attempted to demonstrate power in the region, reportedly dispatching the nuclear-powered USS Enterprise-led Task Force 74 to the Bay of Bengal in 1971, ostensibly to intimidate India during the Bangladesh Liberation war. This move was countered by a Soviet naval response, including the deployment of nuclear submarines, ultimately forcing the US and British fleets to withdraw. This action underscored a consistent pattern: between 1957 and 1971, the Soviet Union intervened on India’s behalf six times, utilizing its veto power in the UN Security Council on issues relating to Kashmir, Goa, and the Bangladesh War, frequently enough when other permanent members opposed India’s position.
This history of Soviet support informs India’s current stance on the Ukraine war and its continued purchases of Russian oil. As noted, india’s reluctance to condemn Russia stems from this legacy of strategic backing when the United States aligned itself with Pakistan.Looking further back, India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, pursued a policy of engagement with China. He even reportedly suggested China be considered for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council before India itself, according to historical indications. The 1950 Chinese invasion of Tibet led to the Dalai Lama’s secret escape to India, and Nehru granted him asylum. This decision was influenced by domestic political considerations; Nehru had successfully courted the support of oppressed castes - known as Harijans – who were increasingly drawn to Buddhism,largely due to the influence of B.R. ambedkar.
While Mao Zedong publicly espoused the “Panchsheel” – five principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful coexistence – China’s internal struggles, specifically the Great Famine of 1959-1961, created a need for distraction.This culminated in the 1962 Chinese invasion of India, resulting in the loss of 38,000 square kilometers of Indian territory.
Ultimately, the relationship between the United States and India, despite growing trade and shared democratic values, has frequently been characterized by strategic divergence. Conversely, Pakistan has often received consistent US support, despite periods of military rule. India and China, bound by centuries of cultural and economic exchange, continue to navigate a relationship marked by both conflict and attempts at reconciliation.
Understanding these historical precedents is crucial for interpreting the current geopolitical dynamics between these three nations. The present situation is not a departure from the past, but rather a continuation of established patterns shaped by decades of strategic calculations and historical events.
