The disintegration of the Soviet Union led to the emergence of a unipolar world, with the US as the key player in international politics. With virtually no checks on the US hegemony, there are considerable discussions about how to exercise constraints on the US hegemony. It is in this context, political analysts have started arguing that emerging economies like India and China have the potential to challenge the growing dominance of the US.
a. At present, both India and China are the fastest growing economies. With drastic changes in their economic policies and the creation of special economic zones, their share in foreign trade has exponentially risen. Both the countries are favourite destinations for foreign investment. These countries also have a large share of foreign reserves, which contributes to their growth stories.
b. Both countries have also made their presence felt in international bodies like WTO and have emerged as powers to reckon with.It is argued that the US faces severe competition from the rise of the Chinese economic power and its active diplomacy is likely to alter the power equation.
c. The US cannot afford to overlook the growing Chinese economic clout, with China being the largest exporter of goods to the US.
d. Both India and China are nuclear powers and make huge investments in security forces and defence infrastructure. This indeed is likely to challenge the US’s hard power.
e. Furthermore, certain observations have been made regarding the increased role of China and India that while the US is draining its domestic wealth in overseas war, incurring huge war expenditure and troop build ups in the Middle East, on the other hand, South Asia, China and India are making heavy investments in their technologies and in building infrastructure.
f. While the US is engaged in expanding its military base, China is entering into muti- dollar agreements with Iran, Chile and Brazil, securing access to mineral energy resources.
g. Most certainly, the future of global politics is being carefully watched, with both India and China seeking an important place in the world. They indeed matter globally.