Asian Defence Review 2021

India began 2021 with Chinese troops still holding tactically important positions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and despite eleven rounds of talks deescalation has not taken place significantly. More recently the very lethal second wave of COVID-19 hit India taking a massive toll of human lives. Globally USA saw election of Joe Biden a Democrat after a very hotly contested polarised election. After 100 days of his Presidency USA continues to progress most foreign policy issues with a hardline approach towards China. Biden meanwhile has decided to take forward his predecessor’s decision to pullout of Afghanistan. USA clearly sees China as a competitor and challenger. China and the US are decoupling disrupting bilateral flows of technology (semiconductors cloud computing and 5G) talent and investment. The 21st century is getting set for geostrategic play in Asia-pacific region. Biden is more open to participate and accept climate change challenges.With action shifting to the Indo-Pacific Europe is having to take its calls and alignments. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) is engaging in greater interaction but each partner is still taking individual calls on the extent of the alliance. Meanwhile many South East Asian countries that have been directly affected by China’s unilateral actions of usurping a large part of the South China Sea have become possible contenders to join QUAD-Plus. Some European powers like France also want to be part of the action in the area. Editor: Air Marshal Anil Chopra PVSM AVSM VM VSM (Retd) a fighter pilot test pilot and a pioneer of Mirage-2000 fleet who has commanded a Mirage 2000 Squadron and the Flight Test Centre Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He was the Team Leader of MiG 21 Bison Upgrade project in Russia. He has commanded operational air bases in both Western and Eastern sectors.