Congressional Commission to Hold Special Hearing on India’s Role in US-China Dynamics

The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) has announced its first public hearing of 2026, scheduled for February 17, with a primary focus on the evolving relationship between Washington, New Delhi, and Beijing. This bipartisan hearing will delve into the military, geopolitical, and technological facets of the India-China relationship and its impact on the Indo-Pacific power balance. The meeting is particularly significant as it occurs amidst India’s “graded” economic re-engagement with China and ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned state visit to Beijing in April 2026, signaling a high-stakes period of diplomatic recalibration.

Key Themes of the February 17 Hearing

The commission will investigate the “triangular” relationship through four primary lenses:

Dimension	Focus Areas
Geopolitical & Military	Border disputes (Galwan aftermath), maritime access in the Indian Ocean, and India’s rising military capability in the Indo-Pacific.
Technology & Self-Reliance	India’s progress in semiconductors, AI, and securing pharmaceutical supply chains to reduce dependence on China.
Economic Shifts	The impact of India’s “graded” opening to Chinese investment and its effect on US-India trade strategic goals.
US Policy Implications	How New Delhi’s thawing ties with Beijing influence the US-India Major Defense Partnership.

Context: The India-China “Thaw” (2024–2026)

The hearing comes at a delicate moment for Asian diplomacy. Following years of tension after the 2020 border clashes, a series of breakthroughs have occurred:

• The Russia Reset (Oct 2024): PM Modi and President Xi Jinping’s meeting at the BRICS Summit in Kazan served as the catalyst for normalization.

• Restored Connectivity: 2026 has seen the resumption of direct air links between India and China after a five-year hiatus.

• Investment Easing: New Delhi is cautiously allowing Chinese firms back into specific procurement and investment channels, though with strict security filters.

The Trump Factor: April 2026 China Visit

The USCC hearing serves as a strategic precursor to President Trump’s state visit to China in April 2026.

• Soybean Diplomacy: Trump has highlighted the purchase of large quantities of US agricultural goods by China as a sign of improving ties.

• Balancing Act: While the US seeks to counter China’s influence by backing India, the administration is also pursuing bilateral economic stabilization with Beijing, creating a complex “balancing act” for Washington policymakers.