In South Asia, however, we can expect considerable continuity from Washington. The U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy—which counts on bipartisan support—has become the core driver of U.S. policy in Asia more broadly. Biden never announced a formal South Asia strategy, while Trump’s first-term strategy mainly targeted India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy first emerged under Trump as great-power competition intensified. The Biden administration robustly embraced the approach, albeit with some modifications. It has been on display in the last four years through U.S. efforts to strengthen ties with most South Asian capitals and to counter China’s deepening footprint in the region.
