US will take on challenges posed by China directly: Joe Biden
Washington: The United States will take on the challenges being posed by China directly, but will not hesitate to work with Beijing when it is in America's interest to do so, President Joe Biden said on Thursday.
"We will confront China's economic abuses, counter its aggressive, coercive action to push back on China's attack on human rights, intellectual property and global governance," Biden said in his address to State Department employees at its Foggy Bottom headquarters here.
"But we are ready to work with Beijing when it is in America's interest to do so. We will compete from a position of strength by building back better at home, working with our allies and partners, renewing our role in international institutions, and reclaiming our credibility and moral authority, much of which has been lost," he said, giving the glimpse of his administration's policies on China.
"That is why we have moved quickly to begin restoring American engagement internationally and earn back our leadership position to catalyse global action on shared challenges," Biden said.
Earlier in the day, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that their priority is not to get access for Goldman Sachs in China. "Our priority is to make sure that we are dealing with China's trade abuses that are harming American jobs and American workers in the United States," he said.
The Biden administration believes that once the US establishes its position of strength, it will be able to compete more effectively with its competitors across the board and especially with China in every domain, including economic, diplomatic, technological and security.
"We will be able to counter Russia more effectively and we will be better equipped to address threats from climate change, to pandemics, to nuclear proliferation. We will also be able to more effectively pursue a foreign policy for the middle class. This is not just a tagline, it is an organising principle for the work that we will do," Biden said.
In a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Senator Rick Scott underscored that the threat of communist China must be a top priority for Pentagon.
"As the United States faces increasingly frequent and dangerous threats from adversaries across the globe -- namely communist China, Iran, Russia and North Korea -- there has never been a more important time to ensure that our men and women in uniform have every resource they need to stand strong and combat threats to our freedoms and interests," he said.
"Communist China is undoubtedly our greatest enemy and must be treated as such. The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) policy of genocide against the Uyghurs, theft of American technology and dangerous actions to build its military presence and threaten the security of the United States and its allies cannot be tolerated," Scott wrote to Austin.
Encouraged by the defense secretary's candour regarding the threat communist China poses to nations around the world, Scott urged Austin to take the strongest possible position to ensure that the Biden administration places accountability and strength at the top of its policy agenda.
"We cannot forget, when the reckless actions of communist China adversely impact our allies, especially those in the Indo-Pacific region including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, India or Taiwan, they also threaten the safety and security of the United States," he said.
Meanwhile, Congressman Brad Wenstrup led 45 lawmakers in writing to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Sullivan regarding the CCP's coercive population control efforts and grave human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
"There is little doubt that China poses one of the most significant challenges to the United States going forward. As part of the administration's effort to confront this challenge, we urge you to prioritise holding the Chinese government accountable for the ongoing genocide in Xinjiang and stand up for the rights to life, human dignity and religious freedom for all people," the members wrote.
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Space-Based Surveillance: India’s Unblinking Eye And Its New Bodyguards
Picture this: A constellation of high-tech sentinels orbiting Earth, not just watching the world below but vigilantly shielding their kin from unseen dangers. These aren't mere tools for mapping terrain or relaying signals—they're the vanguard of a new era in space exploration, where protection is as crucial as innovation. For India, this shift marks a bold leap from relying on satellites as silent witnesses to empowering them with their own defenders.
In 2024, an intriguing encounter unfolded in the vast expanse of orbit. A foreign satellite—its origins undisclosed—edged perilously close to one of India's key assets, a mere kilometre apart. This incident, first highlighted by Bloomberg News in September 2024, wasn't just a close call; it was a wake-up call that propelled India into rethinking its space strategy. Rather than viewing it solely as a threat, it underscored an opportunity: to pioneer advanced protective technologies that could redefine global space norms.
Enter the Guardian Satellites: India's Innovative Shield
At the heart of this evolution are guardian satellites, engineered to safeguard vital orbital infrastructure. These aren't aggressive warriors but sophisticated protectors, designed with precision and purpose. Bloomberg's insights reveal India is developing two variants. The first boasts a robotic manipulator—a feat of engineering that allows it to gently intercept and redirect intrusive spacecraft, ensuring safe distances without escalation. The second operates in coordinated swarms, forming dynamic barriers around threats, much like a synchronized team herding an unwelcome intruder away from a VIP event, all at altitudes exceeding 500 kilometres.
This ingenuity stems from a blend of necessity and creativity. By focusing on non-destructive methods, India's approach emphasizes de-escalation, potentially setting a standard for responsible space conduct amid growing congestion in orbit.
Catalysts for Change: Lessons from Recent Events
India's pivot wasn't born in isolation. The 2024 orbital rendezvous highlighted vulnerabilities, but it was the previous year's border tensions with Pakistan that truly accelerated progress. Over those intense four days, satellites became indispensable for real-time intelligence, guiding troop deployments and radar placements. Yet, a defence ministry-affiliated research group noted in May that China allegedly extended satellite assistance to Pakistan, enhancing their defensive capabilities. This revelation transformed space from a neutral domain into a strategic multiplier, prompting India to fortify its assets proactively.
Anil Bhatt, ex-Chief of Military Operations and now Director General of the Indian Space Association, emphasizes: "Interference or disruption of satellites is a tangible risk." He advocates for a balanced arsenal of protective measures, both tangible and intangible, to secure orbital superiority. For India, this means not just reacting to risks but innovating ahead of them, turning potential weaknesses into strengths.
Global Parallels: A Shared Quest for Orbital Resilience
India joins a select group of nations investing in orbital guardianship, yet its path is uniquely collaborative and tech-driven. China leads with over 1,100 satellites, as per N2YO.com, and has demonstrated agile "manoeuvre-capable" spacecraft, per a US Space Force statement to CNN in March 2025. These can shadow or interact with others, showcasing advanced propulsion and control systems. Japan, meanwhile, is prototyping defences against adversarial "interceptor" satellites, as per last year's media reports. The European Defence Fund has explored similar initiatives since 2023, reflecting a worldwide recognition that space assets demand robust safeguards.
What sets India apart is its emphasis on indigenous innovation and partnerships. With just over 100 satellites currently, India leverages quality over quantity, integrating cutting-edge AI and robotics to punch above its weight.
The Broader Vision: Building a Self-Reliant Space Ecosystem
This guardian programme is a cornerstone of India's expansive space roadmap. Bloomberg indicates advanced negotiations with domestic startups to deploy the inaugural test satellite in early 2026, with further missions slated for late 2025 or beyond. Once validated, state entities will amplify production, fostering a vibrant ecosystem.
Complementing this is the accelerated Space-Based Surveillance initiative, aiming for over 50 advanced reconnaissance satellites offering round-the-clock, all-weather imaging. Ambitious targets envision up to 150 units forming an unblinking orbital network over sensitive borders.
On the ground, India is establishing dedicated tracking hubs domestically and abroad, enhancing real-time monitoring of foreign orbits. Discussions with allies like France and the UAE for collaborative tracking, as confirmed by Bloomberg sources, signal a diplomatic dimension—turning space protection into a platform for international cooperation.
Redefining Space: From Exploration to Empowerment
Once a realm for peaceful pursuits like scientific discovery and global connectivity, space now demands active stewardship. Nations are deploying protective fleets, surveillance arrays, and adaptive systems, transforming the cosmos into a domain of strategic empowerment.
India's journey exemplifies this transition. By improvising on traditional satellite roles, it's not merely defending assets but advancing technology that could inspire global standards for orbital harmony. In this new chapter, India's guardians aren't just bodyguards—they're pioneers, ensuring the stars remain a frontier for progress, not conflict.
(Girish Linganna is an award-winning science communicator and a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst. He is the Managing Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany.)
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or position of the publication, its editors, or its management. The publication is not responsible for the accuracy of any information, statements, or opinions presented in this piece.
