Should India join the formal alliance with US and other western nations to counter china . I know we are well in line to do that but I think the roadblock is Russia . India with all it's want to move to western block could not do it because of the Russian push back
Having Russia and china both against India in the region would be concerning to say the least and Russia is in lap of china wants India to reconcile with china on china's terms which India don't want
Also incase of any eventuality with china , Russia will be neutral at best.
What is the solution here ?.
IMO , one would be to hope for the best and keep on playing 6D chess and hope things would not go south with respect to china . Once India reaches critical GDP and military modernization India can then stop Chinese interest. But would china let India to get over there and not to mention the number of years India would need to reach that position .And Afghan situation has worsend the problem . Think of it this way India is currently alone in the region and everyone is in china's pocket.
Second which I would recommend is to ally with United states and the west . India should get into security alliance with the United States . For one they can stop string of pearls in Indian ocean region . Diego Garcia can put pressure on Sri Lanka on not to go with china . India should also lease it's some worthless Island to United States.
I know it comes with the cost of allying with snakes but between china and United States the choice is very clear.
US coming in this region piggybacking of India will completely change the dynamics . Countries like SL, BD , Bhutan and Nepal will feel the heat and will try to move out of china's block
India is working in plan 1 unfortunately , waiting for something to happen