India's April 2016 diplomatic tightrope: US defence deals and China talks
April 2016 saw a flurry of diplomatic activity between India and its key partners. High-level visits from the US and China addressed defence, border disputes, and regional security. Meanwhile, India delayed a major logistics deal with Washington while strengthening communication ties with Beijing.
The month began with US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter arriving in India to discuss the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA). Both sides reached an agreement in principle on all aspects of the deal, which would allow mutual use of military bases. However, India later postponed signing the LSA indefinitely, repeating a decision first made in 2006.
Around the same time, India’s Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar travelled to China for talks. During his visit, officials discussed areas of disagreement, but progress was made on establishing a military hotline to improve direct communication. The trip coincided with India initially issuing, then cancelling, a visa for Dolkun Isa, a prominent Uyghur activist. India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also met her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Moscow. The two ministers reviewed current concerns in a meeting described as cordial and constructive. Earlier in the month, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had visited China for the 19th Special Representatives’ Meeting on the long-standing boundary dispute.
By the end of April, India had delayed a key defence pact with the US but moved forward on military communication with China. The visa reversal for the Uyghur activist added another layer to the complex diplomatic exchanges. Both engagements highlighted India’s balancing act between major powers while addressing its own strategic priorities.
