US Can Respond to Taiwan Crisis if Needed, Says Expert at Raisina Dialogue

Bonnie Glick addressed Taiwan Strait tensions at the Raisina Dialogue, noting the US focus on managing multiple international conflicts individually while maintaining global response capabilities. She suggested China might view US involvement in Iran as a moment for consideration regarding Taiwan, but would also recognize US readiness to respond. Glick contrasted the US relationships with China and India, describing China's WTO entry as a miscalculation and India as a foundational democratic ally. The discussion aligned with US Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau's view of a critical moment for deepening the US-India partnership.

Key Points: US Response Capability on Taiwan Amid Global Crises

  • US manages multiple global crises
  • China may see opportunity in Taiwan
  • US-India ties are foundational
  • WTO entry for China a miscalculation
  • Indo-Pacific strategy remains key
3 min read

"United States will be able to respond if needed": Bonnie Glick on China-Taiwan tensions

Bonnie Glick at Raisina Dialogue states the US can manage multiple crises, including a potential Taiwan contingency, despite shifting military resources.

"the United States will be able to respond if needed - Bonnie Glick"

New Delhi, March 6

Highlighting the state of the current global security landscape, Bonnie Glick, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, stated that the United States remains focused on its ability to manage multiple international crises simultaneously while giving due attention to each individual conflict.

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue 2026 during a session titled 'Beyond Strategic Ambiguity: Rethinking Deterrence in the Taiwan Strait', Glick addressed the shift of American military resources from East Asia to West Asia amid the ongoing Iran conflict.

"I think one of the things that we focus on in the United States is addressing conflicts individually, while also simultaneously having access to an ability to respond elsewhere in the world," Glick remarked.

The session explored how the "increasingly ad-hoc use of American power" and skepticism toward long-standing commitments, paired with the Chinese Communist Party's "vehement restatement of its desire for 'reunification'", has intensified regional tensions.

Glick noted that there are "so many restive parts of the world" currently, leading to significant concern regarding how China might "use the opportunity vis-a-vis Taiwan."

Despite the shift in resources, she maintained that the messaging from Washington remains "pretty clear" regarding its position.

"I think China views bottom-line American intervention in Iran right now as a moment for consideration of Taiwan, but also as a moment of this probably does not make sense right now, because we know that the United States will be able to respond if needed," she added.

The discussion also touched upon the broader economic and strategic framework of the Indo-Pacific, specifically regarding the "experimental" nature of China's integration into the global order.

Commenting on earlier remarks by US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, Glick suggested that comparing the US approach to India and China is a matter of "apples and oranges."

She described the early 2000s decision to grant China entry into the World Trade Organization as an experiment that "has, I think, widely been viewed as a miscalculation in the United States."

In contrast, Glick identified India as the "world's largest democracy" and the most important democratic ally for the US in terms of "heft in the international arena."

While acknowledging that trade issues often "complicate the economic relations" between the two nations, she emphasised that the partnership transcends mere commerce.

"At the end of the day, the relationship between the United States and India is not based solely on economics. It's based on more foundational elements of freedom of family, even an approach to faith," Glick stated.

These observations align with the vision articulated by Deputy Secretary Landau, who described the current period as a "critical moment" for bilateral relations.

Landau asserted that the "America First" doctrine "obviously does not mean America alone."

He further noted that just as the US seeks to "make America great again," Washington expects Indian leadership "to want to make their countries great again."

Landau said that the rise of India is "undeniable" and that it remains in the mutual interest of both nations to deepen a partnership that will "decide the future of this century."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
The comparison of US approach to India and China being "apples and oranges" is spot on. India's democratic foundation makes it a fundamentally different partner. However, while the rhetoric is nice, we need to see more concrete action on trade and technology sharing to solidify this "critical moment" in relations. 🤝
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Vikram M
The US admitting its WTO decision on China was a "miscalculation" is a big statement. It shows a learning curve. For India, the lesson is clear: we must engage with all powers from a position of strength and self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat). Our foreign policy should be for our national interest first, always.
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Rohit P
All this talk of the US managing multiple crises... but their focus is shifting to West Asia. This creates a vacuum in our region that China might try to exploit, not just in Taiwan but along our borders too. India needs to be extra vigilant and strengthen its own deterrence capabilities. Jai Hind!
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Priya S
Respectfully, while the US sees India as its most important democratic ally, we must remember that their "America First" doctrine comes first. Our partnership is valuable, but India should not become overly dependent or get drawn into conflicts that are not central to our security. Strategic autonomy is key.
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Michael C
The comment about the relationship being based on "freedom of family" and "approach to faith" is interesting. It touches on shared societal values beyond geopolitics. As an observer in India, I see the potential for a deeper people-to-people bond that can sustain the partnership through political changes in both countries.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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