Mike Waltz, Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor nominee, is set to continue President Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy focusing on strengthening ties with India and countering China’s influence. Waltz highlighted the importance of India in U.S. strategy, calling China the “greatest adversary” while aiming to avoid conflict through economic leverage. The administration plans to continue existing collaborations like AUKUS and Quad, emphasizing commitment to regional alliances.
The incoming Trump administration is expected to uphold key elements of President Joe Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy, particularly in its approach towards China and enhancing relations with India. Mike Waltz, Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor nominee, emphasized that China represents a significant long-term strategic challenge and that India is a crucial ally for the United States in addressing this issue.
During an event at the US Institute of Peace in Washington DC, titled “Passing the Baton 2025: Securing America’s Future in the Era of Strategic Competition,” Waltz discussed various topics including regional alliances, defense, and trade. His predecessor, Jake Sullivan, the current NSA under Biden, was also present at the event, highlighting the continuity in policy between the two administrations.
Waltz, a former co-chair of the US-India Caucus, referred to India as a “critical partner” in the United States’ future endeavors, particularly in confronting China’s ascent. Sullivan supported this view, citing the warm reception Waltz received during his recent visit to India, indicating a strong relationship ahead.
On the topic of China, Waltz described the country as the “greatest adversary” to the United States, while acknowledging the complexities posed by the Chinese Communist Party. He asserted the administration’s aim to avoid conflict with China by leveraging economic ties, maintaining that the Chinese economy’s dependence on the US market provides grounds for cautious engagement.
Waltz reaffirmed the continuation of strategies initiated during the Biden administration, such as AUKUS and the Quad, under Trump’s leadership. He expressed concerns regarding Taiwan and emphasized the importance of addressing the $20 billion backlog in US arms sales as a focal point of the new administration’s strategy toward China.
Sullivan echoed the sentiment that the United States must remain vigilant against the long-term strategic competition with China, stressing the necessity to invest domestically, build alliances, and combat China’s unfair economic practices and aggressive territorial actions in sensitive regions like the South China Sea.
Waltz also recognized the importance of strengthening regional partnerships, particularly trilateral dialogues involving South Korea, Japan, and the United States, as well as Japan, the US, and the Philippines. He insisted that these initiatives established by the Biden administration would persist to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The article discusses the anticipated policies of President Donald Trump’s administration concerning India and China, particularly in relation to the Indo-Pacific strategy. It highlights the role of Mike Waltz as the incoming National Security Advisor and his acknowledgment of the strategic challenges posed by China while advocating for stronger ties with India. By addressing ongoing strategies and alliances, the article outlines the continuity and shifts in US foreign policy under the new administration.
In summary, Mike Waltz’s appointment as National Security Advisor signals continuity in U.S. foreign policy strategies, particularly towards India and China. Both nations are viewed as critical elements in the broader Indo-Pacific strategy, with an emphasis on combatting China’s influence and fostering US-India relations. The incoming administration plans to adhere to existing agreements and alliances as a means of maintaining strategic stability in the region.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
