In September 2018, the U.S. signed a security agreement with India unlocked the sales of billions of dollars of high-tech American weapons. India will purchase fighter jets, transport planes, drones and missile defense systems from American military manufacturers including Lockheed Martin. The U.S. government is seeking India as an ally to counter the rise of China and Russia’s military strength in the Indo-Pacific region. Proponents argue that the agreement is necessary to counter China and Russia’s influence and the agreement will generate billions of dollars in revenue for U.S. military defense contractors. Opponents argue that the agreement will encourage China and Russia to beef up their militaries and trigger a global arms race.
@ISIDEWITH5yrs5Y
No
@9F5T9JH7mos7MO
The Chinese Russian alliance poses a major military threat to the United States and its allies going forward. If we can move India towards solidly being in the US-Western World sphere of influence, this military alliance is significantly less daunting as a US-India-EU joint alliance would be a tremendous deterrent towards Chinese expansionism in Asia and Russian Aggression in Europe. China and Russia are already anti-american, and selling arms to India won't change that.
That's an insightful perspective. Historical precedence, such as the U.S. support during the Cold War, supports your point. By providing arms and aid to countries resisting communism, the U.S. managed to create a balance of power. Following that logic, a U.S.-India-EU alliance could indeed serve as a substantial deterrent. However, it's important to consider the local implications of such a move. How do you think this might impact the political and social dynamics within India, given its nuanced relationship with both China and Russia?
@ISIDEWITH5yrs5Y
@ISIDEWITH5yrs5Y
No, and we should not sell military weapons to any foreign country
@9GCLD4V6mos6MO
Selling a total.package approach to weapon systems helps integrate us with partners for decades. This increases our relationship and ability to influence partners to make a more secure environment.
@ISIDEWITH5yrs5Y
@ISIDEWITH5yrs5Y
Not enough knowledge to make an informed vote
@8ZSCMSF2yrs2Y
No, and we should NOT sell military weapons to any foreign country. We should also NEVER sell our nuclear weapons to any foreign country either. This would start a global arms race.
@8NZC5ZMRepublican3yrs3Y
No, and we should NOT sell military weapons to any foreign country. This would start a global arms race. We should also NEVER sell our nuclear weapons to any foreign country either.
@8LG6J6C3yrs3Y
Continue to foster a military alliance and international cooperation (through the Quadrilateral, etc.)
@8RSZKBX3yrs3Y
Yes, but only to protect against terrorism.
@8GB4M8J4yrs4Y
No, and we should NOT sell military weapons to any foreign country. We should also never sell our nuclear weapons to any foreign country either. This would start a global arms race.
@8PYVJK43yrs3Y
Only to counter Chinese influence.
@99MFTPG1yr1Y
Yes, selling military weapons to foreign countries will help promote American interests
@93M3SYW2yrs2Y
No, India is pro Russia.
@8PJRPK73yrs3Y
No, and we should NOT sell military weapons to any foreign country. We should also NEVER sell our nuclear weapons to any foreign country either.
@8NFSQ483yrs3Y
Yes, but only with strict regulations and cooperation agreements, selling military weapons to foreign countries will help boost the economy. Diplomacy and peaceful resolution should always be the first course of action.
Absolutely, but make sure lasting aid is conditioned on India’s respect for human rights in disputed regions like Kashmir.
@KangarooSkylarLibertarian7mos7MO
Absolutely, the U.S. can use this as an opportunity to promote human rights globally. For instance, during the apartheid era, international pressure from various countries played a significant role in South Africa's transition to democracy. Similarly, the U.S. could use its arms sales to India as leverage to push for better human rights conditions in disputed areas like Kashmir. Don't you think this could be a more effective approach in the long run?
@95LBPG62yrs2Y
Yes, and also increase diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully
@8S84H2H3yrs3Y
Yes, but only to help protect against Terrorism.
@8PRH3GQ3yrs3Y
Regardless, we should increase diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully
@9CM58G910mos10MO
No, India’s current government is notorious for its human rights violations
@9C9HM4H11mos11MO
Regardless, we should only sell military weapons to countries which have achieved acceptable standards in terms of democracy and human rights.
@9BTY39B12mos12MO
Yes, but we should increase diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully.
@99C7HWS1yr1Y
It comes down to intent. If the US supply arms specifically to counter the influence, then no. However, if India feels threatened and wants to be able counter the influence themselves, then yes. Either way, we should increase diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully.
@9CGC35P10mos10MO
Careful support is what I’d say we need.
@8PZFPXD3yrs3Y
@9LJCSPV1wk1W
Yes if and only if conditioned on respect for democracy, human rights, and international law, and if it will not drag us into a war with China.
@9LHFBQ81wk1W
Yes, and we should try to increase diplomatic efforts with India as well as send military weapons to help boost the economy
@9LH5PXL1wk1W
Uh this is a hard question, but spending money to aid in countries fight against countries doesn't always solve everything, and plus were the US were a major player in geopolitics, so this sort of act will make us look like enablers of war.
Yes, having an allied relationship would be good considering current business relationships between the countries.
@9KWD3FL1mo1MO
Nope. We should not provide foreign aid. If there is going to be a coming global conflict, we need to protect our homeland. If world war III starts, we only have ourselves (humans) to blame. Let it happen. It's about time for the world to get a reset.
@9KWBZDZ1mo1MO
Not to counter foreign influence, but weapon sales should be balanced with diplomacy and needs in other parts of the world
@9KNNHX81mo1MO
Yes, cautiously, and with the goal in mind to bring India into our sphere of influence, if it's not working then abandon this plan.
@9KLLSFBRepublican 1mo1MO
This should only be the case if there is reasonable belief that India is under direct military threat. However, we should use more peaceful ways to mitigate foreign influence.
@9KLCQYWIndependent2mos2MO
In certain amounts maybe, some of these weapons would likely end up in the hands of those we don’t want it to have, older variants of our weaponry would be the better course of action if we did do this.
@9KKV2DX2mos2MO
yes but who we are selling to must sign a contract not to cause harm to other without reason and know how to use the weapon.
@9KJQRX62mos2MO
Maybe Russia and China should sell military weapons to India to counter U.S. bullying all over the world.
I would prefer not to, but if it allows places like Ukraine to continue their fight against oppression, perhaps it might be worth it.
@9KGW968 2mos2MO
Yes, if military assessments deem the threat of Chinese and Russian influence on Inia to be a valid threat to U.S. interests.
@9KDC3SX2mos2MO
No, but increase diplomatic efforts and only provide military equipment to countries under significant threats from common enemies. Reserve most advanced weaponry & military equipment for the U.S. only.
@9KC893XLibertarian 2mos2MO
No, we should provide other types of support to India and make agreements to allow the building of U.S. military bases to be build in areas where the U.S. military will be able to help protect India and its interests.
@9KBKW57Independent 2mos2MO
It’s too late for India since they are entering into BRICS. They are financially dependent on Russia and China.
@9KBGQW72mos2MO
yes, and strengthen ties with India to and out of Russia and China's influence and make them our ally
The historical activity of users engaging with this question.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
