China as threat, India as partner: Waltz, Sullivan share vision for US foreign policy | WATCH

World News: Jake Sullivan and Michael Waltz discuss U.S.-China relations, the strategic role of India, and bipartisan policies to address economic and technological challenges at Washington event.

China as threat, India as partner

China as threat, India as partner (X/@sidhant)

World News: Jake Sullivan, outgoing National Security Advisor (NSA) to President Joe Biden, and Michael Waltz, the incoming NSA for President-elect Donald Trump, both agreed that China poses the most significant long-term strategic challenge for the United States. Sullivan and Waltz highlighted India as a crucial partner in countering China’s aggressive tactics, especially concerning its economic measures and influence in key regions like the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.

Waltz Highlights India’s Critical Role

During a conversation at the "Passing the Baton 2025" event at the US Institute of Peace, Waltz emphasized his leadership role as the co-chair of the India Caucus in the U.S. Congress. He underscored the importance of India in America’s strategic competition with China, calling it a “critical partner for the future.” Waltz also pointed out that India would play a central role in strengthening the U.S.'s position within the broader Indo-Pacific strategy, including key alliances like the Quad and AUKUS.

Sullivan's Lighthearted Joke About India Spouses Caucus

Sullivan humorously commented on the excitement around Waltz’s position as the co-chair of the India Caucus, saying that his wife’s recent election to Congress could see him heading the “India Spouses Caucus,” to which the audience responded with laughter. Despite the joke, both Sullivan and Waltz were united in their view of India’s importance in the future geopolitical landscape.

U.S.-China Strategic Competition

Both former and incoming NSA officials acknowledged the pressing need to focus on the long-term competition with China. Sullivan stressed that the U.S. must continue to invest domestically, rally its allies, and combat China's unfair economic practices. Waltz echoed this, citing critical issues like the U.S. dependency on China for pharma ingredients and minerals, which the U.S. needs to address by re-shaping supply chains and fostering partnerships in the Western Hemisphere and among allies like Japan, South Korea, and India.

Technology and Economic Headwinds in U.S.-China Relations

Sullivan emphasized that the U.S. needs a robust China strategy, which includes safeguarding American technological advancements while ensuring that China does not flood the global market with overproduced goods to undercut U.S. workers and supply chains. He also noted that China’s current economic challenges were shaping its aggressive foreign policies.

 

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