India’s Expanding Role in Southeast Asia: Balancing U.S. and China
Poonam Sharma
The Indian Ocean and its surrounding Southeast Asian region have long been the battleground for competing global powers. Today, this contest is growing more intense as the United States and China extend their influence deeper into the area. However, a new balancing force has begun to emerge: India. New Delhi’s increasing involvement in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore points to a broader shift that could reshape Asia’s strategic landscape.
Indonesia: A Brewing Political Crisis with Geopolitical Ripples
Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country and the largest in Southeast Asia, has found itself in a difficult situation. President Joko Widodo, once celebrated for reforms and modernization, now faces growing pressure from opposition forces. Student-led protests, parliamentary conflicts, and international scrutiny over human rights are merging into what some are calling a classic “attempted regime destabilization.”
For Washington, Indonesia’s direction is particularly concerning. Located at the crossroads of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, its waters are vital for global shipping. Any political instability in this nation could directly impact trade routes that carry goods and energy between East Asia and the Middle East. China views Indonesia as both a resource partner and a strategic buffer. For India, the stakes are equally high. A politically stable Indonesia, connected through history and culture, could become an essential ally in maintaining regional stability and countering Beijing’s growing influence.
President Widodo has even highlighted his Indian heritage and cultural ties with India during his recent visit to New Delhi. Although this gesture may seem symbolic, it emphasizes a growing recognition that India, rather than just the United States or China, can be a reliable third partner in navigating Southeast Asia’s uncertain future.
Malaysia: Control of the Strait and the Battle for Sea Lanes
While Indonesia grabs headlines, Malaysia holds a more critical geographic position. The Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints, runs through Malaysian waters. Whoever controls this narrow passage influences the flow of global commerce.
Washington has long aimed to maintain its naval presence in the strait, while Beijing has invested heavily in port infrastructure and logistics to secure access. But Malaysia, cautious of both powers, is now seeking closer ties with India. Kuala Lumpur recognizes that India has shown credibility in maritime security, especially in combating piracy in the western Indian Ocean.
Indian naval patrols, which garnered international praise during the Somali piracy crisis, remain a strong reference for Southeast Asian countries looking for dependable partners. Malaysia’s outreach to India reflects both strategic pragmatism and a desire for equilibrium. For New Delhi, participating in joint patrols and maritime infrastructure projects could enhance its reputation as a responsible player in the Indo-Pacific.
Singapore: Seeking Security in Multipolar Tides
Singapore, the city-state at the center of global trade networks, has always relied on balancing outside powers for its survival. While it maintains strong ties with the United States, it cannot ignore Chinese economic and infrastructural dominance in the region. Recently, Singapore has quietly increased its engagement with India, not only through trade but also in defense cooperation.
Singaporean leaders see India as a reliable naval partner that can secure sea lanes without imposing control. Requests for joint patrols, technology cooperation, and corridor development highlight a new aspect of India-Singapore relations. For India, Singapore’s strategic location makes it an ideal base for expanding influence deeper into the South China Sea, where Beijing’s militarization of artificial islands has already alarmed smaller nations.
Why the U.S. is Uneasy
India’s growing presence in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore has caught the attention of Washington. For decades, the United States has been the main security guarantor in the region. However, America’s recent internal divisions, along with its shifting focus toward the Middle East and Europe, have created opportunities that India is starting to fill.
What worries Washington the most is not just India’s presence, but how Southeast Asian nations increasingly view New Delhi as a “third option.” Unlike the United States or China, India does not demand exclusivity. It offers partnership without political conditions, naval support without territorial claims, and cultural connections that resonate with local communities.
The China Factor
At the same time, Beijing is unlikely to sit back and watch. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects run deep into Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. Investments in infrastructure, along with debt diplomacy and political influence campaigns, have given Beijing significant leverage. Yet, Southeast Asian countries are also becoming wary of overdependence on China.
This is where India holds a strategic advantage: while China seeks dominance, India promotes partnership. This subtle difference allows countries like Singapore and Malaysia to welcome Indian engagement without fear of becoming pawns in a great-power rivalry.
India’s Emerging Indo-Pacific Strategy
India’s naval modernization, recent trilateral and quadrilateral partnerships, and active diplomacy are shaping what might be called a “Southeast Asia Plus” strategy. By extending cooperation from the western Indian Ocean to the South China Sea, New Delhi is building a network of trust that links cultural identity, maritime security, and economic collaboration.
From Indonesia’s political turbulence to Malaysia’s strait challenges and Singapore’s balancing act, one trend is clear: India is no longer a passive observer. It is an active player shaping the regional order.
Conclusion: A New Balancing Force
The future of the Indo-Pacific will not be determined solely by the United States and China. Increasingly, India’s role is becoming clearer. For countries caught between the ambitions of Washington and Beijing, New Delhi offers a credible alternative based on shared culture, proven naval reliability, and practical diplomacy.
What remains uncertain is whether India can maintain this momentum and turn goodwill into long-lasting partnerships. If successful, the Indian Ocean could genuinely become India’s ocean, not through conquest, but through consent.
