'India to be net provider of security in Indian Ocean, beyond'

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Feb 2 (PTI) Taking note of India's "growing
influence" in global affairs, the US has said the country will
be a net provider of security in the Indian Ocean and beyond
with the growth of its military capabilities.

"The distribution of global political, economic and
military power is shifting and becoming more diffuse. The rise
of China, the world's most populous country, and India, the
world's largest democracy, will continue to reshape the
international system," said the Quadrennial Defence Review
(QDR) report released by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.
The once-in-a-four year report, which shapes the policy
of the Pentagon for the next four years, noted that while the
US will remain the most powerful actor, it must increasingly
cooperate with key allies and partners to build and sustain
peace and security.
"Whether and how rising powers fully integrate into the
global system will be among this century's defining questions,
and are thus central to America's interests," it said.
As the economic power, cultural reach and political
influence of India increase, it is assuming a more influential
role in global affairs, the 128-page QDR report said.
"This growing influence, combined with democratic values
it shares with the United States, an open political system,
and a commitment to global stability, will present many
opportunities for cooperation," it said.
"India's military capabilities are rapidly improving
through increased defence acquisitions and they now include
long-range maritime surveillance, maritime interdiction and
patrolling, air interdiction and strategic airlift," the
report noted.
"India has already established its worldwide military
influence through counter piracy, peacekeeping, humanitarian
assistance, and disaster relief efforts. As its military
capabilities grow, India will contribute to Asia as a net
provider of security in the Indian Ocean and beyond," the
report said.
On the other hand, the report expressed concerns over the
lack of Chinese transparency over its military development.
"The United States welcomes a strong, prosperous, and
successful China that plays a greater global role. The United
States welcomes the positive benefits that can accrue from
greater cooperation.
"However, lack of transparency and the nature of China's
military development and decision-making processes raise
legitimate questions about its future conduct and intentions
within Asia and beyond," it said.
The US' relationship with China must therefore be
multi-dimensional and undergirded by a process of enhancing
confidence and reducing mistrust in a manner that reinforces
mutual interests, the report said.
"The United States and China should sustain open channels
of communication to discuss disagreements in order to manage
and ultimately reduce the risks of conflict that are inherent
in any relationship as broad and complex as that shared by
these two nations," it said. PTI LKJ