The U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) and National Defense Strategy (NDS) make clear that China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are central threats to the U.S.-led liberal international order.
While South Asia is not explicitly prioritized in these documents, the region’s role in U.S. strategy is shaped by its broader Indo-Pacific focus.
The Biden administration’s approach to South Asia is primarily framed through two lenses: strengthening the U.S.-India partnership to counterbalance China’s influence, and ensuring homeland security, particularly through counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan.
The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 marked a shift in Washington’s priorities. The long-term engagement in Afghanistan, once a defining feature of U.S. strategy in South Asia, has now been reduced to “over the horizon” counterterrorism capabilities, a strategy that relies on the Taliban’s willingness to prevent the region from being a haven for terrorist groups.
This approach is evident in actions such as the 2022 killing of al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, which demonstrated U.S. counterterrorism capabilities despite the troop withdrawal.
The U.S. relationship with Pakistan has been strained, particularly after the rise of anti-American sentiment during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s tenure.
Although the U.S. no longer sees Pakistan as a central partner, the evolving security dynamics in Afghanistan and the rise of Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) may prompt Washington to reconsider its approach. However, the current policy seems transactional, based on Pakistan’s utility in counterterrorism efforts and its geopolitical ties, including with China.
At the same time, the U.S.-India partnership has grown significantly, driven by shared concerns over China’s regional ambitions. As tensions between India and China persist along their disputed border, Washington views India as a crucial ally in maintaining a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” This alignment highlights a broader strategic shift in which South Asia is less a priority in isolation, but rather a component of the larger Indo-Pacific strategy.
The Biden administration faces the challenge of navigating complex regional dynamics. While terrorism remains a persistent concern, U.S. policy in South Asia is increasingly influenced by the need to counter China’s rise.
The evolving relationship with India is central to U.S. strategy, but divergences—particularly in areas like defense and trade—present challenges. Similarly, while the U.S. would like Pakistan to exert pressure on the Taliban, the current state of the relationship makes such cooperation difficult.
In sum, while South Asia remains relevant to U.S. interests, the region’s strategic importance has diminished in favor of a more Indo-Pacific-centered approach. The Biden administration’s policy reflects the shifting geopolitical landscape, where countering China’s influence and addressing terrorism remain key priorities, but South Asia’s role is now subsumed within broader regional dynamics.
South Asia Politics 