Indian Army T-90 Bheeshma tanks roll past during the full dress final rehearsal for the Indian Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 23, 2009. (Photo credit RAVEENDRAN/AFP via Getty Images)Raveendran | Afp | Getty ImagesIndia is taking major strides to expand its influence in Southeast Asia, a move that will allow countries to counter China’s dominance in the region.”India certainly is becoming more ambitious in Southeast Asia. There is no doubt about it,” said Harsh V. Pant, vice president for studies and foreign policy at Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank.It has also become “more forceful and more upfront” about its ties with the region, he added.Growing rivalry between India and China is seen as influencing New Delhi’s strategic calculation in strengthening its presence.For a long time, Indian leaders had been “hesitant and reticent” about the coun …
