China’s tensions for a trade war with the US creates friendly relation with India

NEW DELHI: The fear of a trade war between China and the United States is helping India create a friendlier relationship with the former. Both India and China share warning against third parties playing spoiler.

As the Trump administration is creating problem with the trade among them, China is looking to form a close relation with its neighbouring countries including Malaysia. But China’s plan to keep India hemmed in by Pakistan and check its strategic space remains the same. 

It is likely that India might press down the issues such as entry to the Nuclear Supplies group and also a ban on the recent high level meetings with China. The meetings have seen long speeches about how relations are poised to growth. The suggestion that third parties could be interlopers might be shifting. 

India’s upcoming '2+2’ engagement with the US is seen as a platform that may further accelerate cooperation in areas like defence. 

For China, limiting US influence with India is an obvious concern. It has also sought to expand its footprint in the Indian Ocean region. India is negotiating terms with the US over issues like oil imports from Iran.