New Delhi, March 29 -- After the joint visit of US Foreign Secretary Anthony Blinken and Defence Secretary and Chief of Pentagon Lloyd Austin to Japan and South Korea- two important countries in the region - Austin headed to India while Blinken went home to meet China's officials. However, the US-China talks in Alaska turned out to be "tough and direct," and wrapped up on March 19 to the relief of both sides. Both sides had hardened their stand on the South China Sea and other conflicting issues. That shifted focus to India.

On March 19, Austin arrived in New Delhi on a two-day India tour. He met Prime Minister Modi and NSA Ajit Doval on March 20 and talks were dominated by shared alarms concerning the region. India is a vital US partner...