In this Defence24 interview, Dr. Patrick Mendis – American diplomat, scholar, and author – analyses the evolving triangle between the United States, China, and India. Mendis stresses that US–China relations remain deeply competitive, especially in trade, technology, and defence. Turning to India, Mendis highlights both the opportunities and tensions. Cooperation with Washington is growing in areas like defence, energy, and technology, but India has resisted aligning fully with the West on sanctions against Russia. This balancing act reflects New Delhi’s desire to protect its own strategic autonomy while still strengthening ties with the US.