1.13. The USA Factor

♤ The USA and China are strategic rivals. As china rises and asserts itself the US would be trying to contain it. India seeks good relations with both

♤ The indication of rising tensions can be found in the recently released (December 2017) Nations Security Strategy document of the USA as well as tariff escalation in 2018.

♤ In policy terms it is reflected in the Pivot to Asia of the Obama administration and the

Indo-Pacific formulations of the Trump administration.♤ Thus, there seems to be a short term convergence, however this sits on deep seated geographical realities that can change the scenario.