Indo-Pacific Strategy: USCC to Focus on India-China-US Triad
The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) has announced its first public hearing of 2026, scheduled for February 17, with a primary focus on the evolving relationship between Washington, New Delhi, and Beijing. This bipartisan hearing will delve into the military, geopolitical, and technological facets of the India-China relationship and its impact on the Indo-Pacific power balance. The meeting is particularly significant as it occurs amidst India's "graded" economic re-engagement with China and ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned state visit to Beijing in April 2026, signaling a high-stakes period of diplomatic recalibration.
The India-China "Thaw" (2024–2026)
The hearing comes at a delicate moment for Asian diplomacy. Following years of tension after the 2020 border clashes, a series of breakthroughs have occurred:
- The Russia Reset (Oct 2024): PM Modi and President Xi Jinping’s meeting at the BRICS Summit in Kazan served as the catalyst for normalization.
- Restored Connectivity: 2026 has seen the resumption of direct air links between India and China after a five-year hiatus.
- Investment Easing: New Delhi is cautiously allowing Chinese firms back into specific procurement and investment channels, though with strict security filters.
The Trump Factor: April 2026 China Visit
The USCC hearing serves as a strategic precursor to President Trump’s state visit to China in April 2026.
- Soybean Diplomacy: Trump has highlighted the purchase of large quantities of US agricultural goods by China as a sign of improving ties.
- Balancing Act: While the US seeks to counter China's influence by backing India, the administration is also pursuing bilateral economic stabilization with Beijing, creating a complex "balancing act" for Washington policymakers.