In Geopolitics Today - Friday, April 22nd
Risks to Applying US Diplomatic Pressure on India, China’s Military Presence in the Solomon Islands a Concern to the US, New Zealand Sells Surplus Armoured Vehicles to Chile
Risks to Applying US Diplomatic Pressure on India
The US government’s growing warnings that countries unwilling to join the sanctions regime against Russia face economic consequences could undermine the strategic goal for the US to establish a stronger military partnership with India. A concerted effort by US officials to cajole and pressure other nations into joining the US-led sanctions regime against Russia may backfire in its application to India. Washington’s aims to become India’s main arms supplier and drastically realigning India’s foreign policy will require more than limiting India’s purchases of Russian energy.
The Biden administration has sought to persuade New Delhi to not increase volumes for its imports of Russian energy, and these efforts may have proven successful after Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar recently signalled that India will not significantly go beyond its current imports of Russian energy. At the same time, the Biden administration is seeking to replace Russia as India’s primary defence partner as the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called on India to cut off defence-related transactions with Russia. Yet this overriding focus on punishing Russia threatens to exacerbate India's own regional security challenges, particularly when India’s long-held neutrality is being threatened by US officials who allude to “costs and consequences” for India’s continued abstention in sanctioning Russia.
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China’s Military Presence in the Solomon Islands a Concern to the US
The Solomon Islands has been at the centre of a growing geopolitical rivalry. An agreement between China and the Solomon Islands will now allow Beijing to send naval deployments and security forces to the island nation. This agreement has prompted a reaction from the United States, as Senior US officials have been visiting Honiara after the security pact between Solomon Islands and China was signed this week.
The security deal was criticized by Australia and New Zealand, and has now come under the scrutiny of US officials as well. In their discussions, Solomon Island Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is said to have reassured the US delegation that its agreement with China does not include military bases. The issue of a permanent Chinese military presence here has nonetheless caused considerable alarm in Washington, as US officials threatened to “respond accordingly” to any Chinese military base in Solomon Islands. During a meeting with Sogavare and members of his cabinet, the US officials are said to have discussed opening an US embassy, healthcare, vaccine deliveries and increased cultural ties.
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New Zealand Sells Surplus Armoured Vehicles to Chile
The Chilean government has agreed to buy 22 light-armoured troop transports from New Zealand to equip its marines. A deal has been finalized that will see the transfer of 22 New Zealand Light Armored Vehicles (NZLAV) from the New Zealand Defence Force to the Chilean Navy. The NZLAV will make up the whole US$19.855 million sale, and New Zealand is expected to deliver the 22 used NZLAVs in two tranches: one this year and the other in 2023.
New Zealand acquired over 100 of these NZLAW armoured vehicles since 2003 to replace the ageing M113 family of armoured personnel carriers. Now, New Zealand is already looking to replace its NZLAW systems, and the country’s Minister for Defence has already approved the purchase of 43 Australian-built Bushmaster NZ5.5 vehicles as replacements. Chile has come forward as an eager customer looking to buy the discounted used NZLAW systems from New Zealand, with Santiago currently interested in supplementing its amphibious assault capabilities with the armoured personnel carriers. The vehicles for Chile are aimed at bolstering its marine forces, especially their ability to project force from the sea through amphibious assaults.
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