Tillerson urges India to partner for a secure Indo-pacific
Tillerson was scathing in his criticism of China’s aggression: “The US seeks constructive relations with China. But we won’t shrink from China’s challenges to the rules-based order, or where China subverts the sovereignty of neighbouring countries, and disadvantages the US and our friends.”
And in these times of uncertainty, he added, “India needs a reliable partner on the world stage. I want to make clear: with our shared values and vision for global stability, peace and prosperity, the US is that partner.”
He went on to offer a lofty framework for ties with India, saying, “The emerging DelhiWashington strategic partnership stands upon a shared commitment upholding the rule of law, freedom of navigation, universal values, and free trade. Our nations are two bookends of stability — on either side of the globe — standing for greater security and prosperity for our citizens and people around the world.”
Tillerson also spoke of growing defence ties and the “menu of defence options” that the US has provided to India to choose from —Sea Guardian naval drones, joint production of the F-16 and F-18 and aircraft carrier platform — and said security issues that concern India also concern the US.
He did not hesitate to mention challenges in the relationship with India, especially in trade and economy, and pressed on the need for New Delhi to stay the course on reforms.
Tillerson spoke of the need to expand trilateral engagement between the US, Japan and India, which now have joint military exercises, to include countries such as Australia to secure the Indo-pacific region that is home to three billion people, and is the focal point of the world’s energy and trade routes.
He also said the US expects Pakistan to take “decisive action against terrorist groups” based on its soil. Such a move would ensure peace and stability in the region and improve Pakistan’s international standing, he added.
Describing India as a partner in Afghanistan, Tillerson said, “As we implement President Trump’s new South Asia strategy, we will turn to our partners to ensure greater stability in Afghanistan…india is a partner for peace in Afghanistan and we welcome its assistance efforts.”
He added that the US and India are jointly screening known and suspected terrorists and will convene a new dialogue on terrorist designations.
Noting that India has more than 170 million Muslims, the third-largest Muslim population in the world, Tillerson said: “Yet we do not encounter significant numbers of Indian Muslims among foreign fighters in the ranks of ISIS or other terror groups, which speaks to the strengths of Indian society.”
Ashley Tellis, a leading US expert on Asia at Carnegie, said: “Despite the still pervasive fears that America First means an isolationist foreign policy, Tillerson affirmed the continuing primacy of the Indo-pacific in US grand strategy, the pivotal role of the Us-india partnership in securing the Indo-pacific, and the sharp contrast between India as a responsible emerging power and China which has behaved less than responsibly.
“This is a clear roadmap for the bilateral relationship going forward – and a ringing endorsement of the strategic partnership whose significance is defined in global terms.”
Tellis also said Tillerson’s offer – to advance each other’s security, sovereignty and interests while working together to make the Indo-pacific a more secure place for others – was “an invitation to India: now the only question is whether New Delhi will respond as fulsomely as is necessitated by its own interests”.
Tanvi Madan, a South Asia expert with Brookings, found Tillerson blunt on China being “less responsible as it rises” and added the “do the needful”, a phrase the secretary had used, was a “motto for this next phase of the relationship…there’s convergence, now there must be more or better implementation”.