AHC/WI: Nixon Goes to Chennai

Delta Force

Banned
This isn't literally about Nixon going to Chennai. I'm wondering more about the plausibility and implications of Nixon trying to forge an alliance between the United States and India.

It seems that Imperial Iran was closer to Pakistan than India in the 1960s, which could complicate a pivot due to Iran's vital strategic importance. However, with the breakup of Pakistan in 1971, Imperial Iran began to question the stability of Pakistan. The United States first realized the Sino-Soviet Split was real during the Sino-Soviet Nuclear Crisis in 1969, so a strong case can be made for an alliance with either India or the PRC.

What would it take to get Nixon to choose India?
 
There is simply no reason to choose India over China. China is military threat, or at least distraction, to the ussr. India isn't.

Allying with India will also poison relations with many arab countries (some of which are close allies with pakistan), and be one of the few things that might encourage china to seek a reproachment with the ussr.
 
First thing, prevent the Sino-Soviet split. Let's say Vyacheslav Molotov succeeds Stalin, and there's no Thaw or Secret Speech.

Second thing, have Pakistan try to opportunistically work with China and launch it's own attack in a Sino-Indian border war, say in 1962.

Third thing, Nixon elected in 1960. Let's say after the border war he disowns Pakistan for working with the Reds in China. Let's say Soviet relations with India are sour because of their solidarity with China.

So then Nixon pivots and goes to India, seeing them as a bulwark against China and those untrustworthy Pakistanis. India and the US become nominal allies, maybe Nixon gives them some arms and aid to firm up the friendship and make India more capable if/when they clash with the Reds again.

So in retaliation for the border war and cozying up with the Americans, there's a communist guerrilla uprising in India, and the Indo-American relations only get stronger from there.
 

Delta Force

Banned
Historically there were proposals to strengthen India to serve as a bulwark against the PRC, including initiatives that would have helped to improve Indian nuclear capabilities (definitely civilian, I think military was considered as well). The issue was that Pakistan and India were coupled, so at the very least India and Pakistan would have to receive the same aid. It fell apart because no one wanted to give Pakistan the capabilities proposed for India.
 
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