Andrew J. Stravers and Peter Harris — Indian Foreign Policy: The Cold War Lingers

On its face, New Delhi’s enunciation of respect for Russia’s “legitimate interests” in Crimea is a surprising blow to the prevailing U.S. policy of reaching out to India. As the largest democracy in the world, a burgeoning capitalist economy and an increasingly important military power, India has been viewed as a counterweight to China’s rise and an anchor of the U.S.-led international order.

While Pakistan is integral to regional security, India’s cooperation will be essential to sustain the American vision of global governance....

If the U.S. wants India to serve as a bulwark of the international status quo, some form of policy change will be required. By shifting India to the front and center of American foreign policy, the United States can help to assure for itself – and the wider world – a future based on prevailing global norms rather than the designs of revisionist, illiberal and undemocratic states like Russia [and presumably China].

The Diplomat
Indian Foreign Policy: The Cold War Lingers
Andrew J. Stravers and Peter Harris

The global tilt is now toward Russia, China, Iran, and India v. the EU, Japan, South Korea, and Israel led by the US. Where are the flash points?

See also, US-China Relations: Thucydidean Trap or Prisoner's Dilemma? by Shannon Tiezzi

China and the U.S. are caught in the foreign policy version of the “prisoners’ dilemma.” Both understand, on a theoretical level, that the best outcome can only be reached via cooperation. But neither country trusts the other to cooperate (for reasons outlined in detail in a report by Brookings’ Kenneth Lieberthal and Peking University’s Wang Jisi). Both sides can “win” through cooperation, but since neither Beijing nor Washington really believes that will happen, they both seek not to be the country left holding the bag when the other side inevitably turns hostile.

Win-win or zero-sum. The hardliners in both countries are projecting zero-sum and they are in positions of power.