A key US congressional advisory body will hold a public hearing next month to assess India’s evolving relationships with China and the United States and their implications for the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, according to a notice published in the Federal Register.

The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission said the hearing, titled “India, China, and the Balance of Power in the Indo-Pacific,” will take place in Washington on February 17. The session will explore how India’s strategic choices, military posture, and economic policies intersect with intensifying US-China competition across the region.

According to the Commission, the hearing will examine geopolitical and security issues shaping India’s relations with both Beijing and Washington. These include ongoing tensions along the disputed India-China border, maritime access and security in the Indian Ocean, and India’s growing role as a major Indo-Pacific power amid shifting regional alignments.

India’s expanding defense and strategic cooperation with the United States is expected to feature prominently in the discussion. Over the past decade, India and the US have significantly deepened military ties through defense agreements, joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and growing collaboration in advanced technologies. US policymakers increasingly view India as a critical partner in maintaining a stable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.

The hearing will also focus on the economic and technological dimensions of India-China relations. Despite political tensions, trade and investment links between the two Asian giants remain substantial. The Commission said it will examine how these economic ties affect India’s strategic autonomy and how they influence broader regional supply chains.

A key area of focus will be India’s efforts to build self-reliance in critical and emerging technology sectors. These include artificial intelligence, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing — industries that have become central to global economic competitiveness and national security. India’s push to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, particularly in sensitive technologies, is seen in Washington as increasingly relevant to US economic and security interests.

The Commission will also assess US policy initiatives aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership with India. This includes cooperation on technology development, resilient supply chains, defense production, and regional security frameworks. Commissioners will examine how India’s relationship with China shapes US strategic calculations and what role India could play in future regional deterrence and stability.

Commissioners Hal Brands and Jonathan N. Stivers will co-chair the hearing. Testimony from experts is expected to address how India balances engagement with China while expanding cooperation with the United States and its partners.

India has emerged as one of Washington’s most consequential strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific. As US-China rivalry intensifies, congressional attention to India’s policies and capabilities has grown steadily. The upcoming hearing reflects rising interest on Capitol Hill in understanding how India’s choices could influence the future geopolitical and economic architecture of the Indo-Pacific region.