US : Panel to Review India’s Strategic Role in Indo-Pacific Power Balance
US : congressional advisory body is set to convene a public hearing next month to closely examine India’s evolving relationships with China and the United States, and how those ties may influence the strategic balance across the Indo-Pacific region. The hearing, announced through a notice in the Federal Register, underscores growing interest in Washington in India’s geopolitical positioning at a time of heightened regional competition.
The session will be held in Washington, DC, on February 17 and will focus on the theme “India, China, and the Balance of Power in the Indo-Pacific.” It is being organized by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, a bipartisan panel tasked with monitoring and assessing the national security implications of economic and strategic developments involving China.
Focus on Regional Security and Geopolitical Tensions
According to the official notice, the hearing will explore a range of geopolitical and military considerations linked to India’s relations with both Beijing and Washington. Central to the discussion will be long-standing tensions between India and China, including unresolved border disputes and their broader impact on regional stability.
The commission is also expected to assess maritime issues, particularly India’s access and strategic interests in the Indian Ocean. As one of the world’s most important sea lanes, the Indian Ocean plays a critical role in global trade and energy flows, making it a focal point for regional and extra-regional powers alike.
India’s Growing Influence in the Indo-Pacific
India’s role as a major Indo-Pacific actor will be another key area of examination. Over the past decade, New Delhi has expanded its diplomatic, military, and economic footprint across the region, positioning itself as an important counterweight in an increasingly contested strategic environment.
US policymakers have consistently highlighted India’s demographic scale, economic potential, and military capabilities as factors that elevate its importance in regional security calculations. The hearing aims to evaluate how India’s strategic choices could shape future power dynamics, particularly as competition between major powers intensifies.
Economic and Technology Dimensions of India-China Ties
Beyond security concerns, the commission plans to review the economic relationship between India and China, including trade and investment patterns. Despite political and military frictions, economic links between the two countries remain significant, presenting both opportunities and vulnerabilities.
The hearing will also address technology-related issues, with a focus on India’s push for greater self-reliance in critical and emerging sectors. Areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, and pharmaceutical supply chains are expected to feature prominently in the discussion, reflecting their growing relevance to global economic resilience and national security.
Assessing US-India Strategic Cooperation
Another central theme of the hearing will be US policy efforts to deepen strategic cooperation with India. In recent years, defense collaboration has expanded through joint exercises, technology sharing, and defense agreements, while cooperation in areas such as supply chains and advanced technologies has also increased.
The commission intends to assess how India’s relationship with China may affect US economic and national security interests over the coming years. This includes examining whether closer US-India ties can help promote regional stability while safeguarding shared strategic objectives.
Leadership and Broader Congressional Interest
The hearing will be co-chaired by commissioners Hal Brands and Jonathan N. Stivers, both of whom have been closely involved in examining US-China strategic competition. Their leadership reflects the commission’s focus on understanding how third-country relationships, particularly with major regional powers like India, intersect with broader US policy goals.
Overall, the upcoming hearing highlights growing congressional attention to India’s strategic trajectory. As the Indo-Pacific becomes an increasingly central arena for global competition, US lawmakers appear keen to better understand how India’s ties with both China and the United States could shape the region’s future balance of power.