The world was watching U.S. diplomacy in June, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing, and President Joe Biden hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Secretary Blinken's visit signaled a thaw in high-level communication within the U.S.-China relationship, and Southeast Asian countries—which have close relations with both superpowers—have watched intently. 

At the same time, while the United States and India expressed positive progress in their bilateral relationship, both avoided mentioning what brought them together in the first place: their respective complicated relationships with China. What do Blinken's China visit and Modi's U.S. visit reveal about international dynamics across Asia and the Pacific?

Dr. Kanti Bajpai, vice dean and professor of international relations at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore joins the National Committee to weigh in with a Southeast Asian perspective and to help us understand the view from both Singapore and New Delhi.

1:29 Southeast Asian reactions to Secretary Blinken’s visit to China and U.S.-China relations  

5:08 What does Singapore hope for U.S.-China cooperation? 

10:15 Does India see China as a partner, competitor, or strategic threat? 

18:50 Is there a pro-U.S. and anti-U.S. paradox in Indian foreign policy?

21:49 Is concern about China driving the United States to strengthen its relationship with India?

25:15 Could there be an India-China rapprochement?  

31:42 Could India pose a military threat to China?

37:45 How have Indian opinions towards the U.S. changed over time?

About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/modi-visit-us-china-india/

A full transcript of this interview is available here: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/us-china-india-triangle/

Follow Dr. Kanti Bajpai on Twitter: @BajpaiKanti

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