By Dr. Sawraj Singh

           The two main trends of today's world are; Rise of the east and Decline of the west. The biggest step in this direction is the growing strategic partnership of Russia and China. Russia has a dual identity, European and Asian. The Ural Mountains that divide Europe and Asia, pass through Russia. Therefore, Russia is a part of Europe and Asia at the same time. Historically, Russia has always tried to balance its European and Asian identities and be a part of the east and the west.                                                                                   

                 After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the resurgent Russia, under the leadership of Putin, tried to do the same. Whereas, Russia considered its relationship with China the most important relation, it also tried to improve its relations with Germany, the leading economic power in Europe. Russia had two main objectives; First, try to maintain a balance of power between the east and the west. Second, try to unite Europe as an independent entity, free of American domination. However, Germany chose to continue the old policy of keeping Europe under American domination and isolate and contain Russia.

                Finally, Russia had to fundamentally change its policies. It broke away from Germany and moved even closer to China than before and shifted from Europe to Eurasia. Russia has joined its forces with China to oppose American hegemony. The air forces of the two countries held the second joint aerial strategic patrol in Asia. Last month the Russian navy threatened to ram US warship John McCain after it crossed the border near Vladivostok and it was chased out of Russian waters. Now it has been expelled from the South China sea by the Chinese navy and air force.                                                                                                    

                 Philippines's President Duterte dared US to bring its fleet and declare war on China. He said that if Washington wants the Philippines to fight China, the US should come and fire the first shot. He also accused the US of using its allies as bait for Beijing.                                                                                                            

                The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, criticized India for joining the quadrilateral alliance with the US, Japan and Australia to contain China. This is the first time Russia has openly criticized India. Russia's relations with Pakistan are improving at India's expense. Afghanistan is also likely to have a government that will be friendly with Pakistan. Iran is also very close to Russia and China .                          

                With the growing strategic partnership between Russia and China, balance of power in Asia has heavily tilted toward them. India's tilt toward America and the west can become more of a liability than an asset. Moreover, alignment of the countries in the neighborhood also does not seem to be in India's favor. India also seems to be losing its most trusted, reliable and time-tested friend, Russia. These should be our serious concerns. In the light of the new developments, India should seriously reconsider its policies. India may be left out of the rise of the east and Asia's century. India should revive its Look East policy rather than risk jumping in a sinking western ship.              

              Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD F.I.C.S. is the Chairman of the Washington State Network for Human Rights and Chairman of the Central Washington Coalition for Social Justice. He can be reached at sawrajsingh@hotmail.com.