India–U.S. relations have traversed a remarkable journey from Cold War estrangement to a broad-based strategic partnership. However, by 2025, shifts in the U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) reflect a more inward-looking America, engaging India less as a transformational partner and more as a strategic variable in its competition with China. This transition demands a reassessment of the partnership’s trajectory.
Evolution of India–U.S. Relations: From Optimism to Pragmatism:
2005 Phase: Strategic Optimism:
- The India–U.S. Civil Nuclear Deal (2005–08) ended India’s nuclear isolation and acknowledged it as a responsible nuclear power.
- It marked expansion of cooperation in defence, space, education and technology followed.
2025 Phase: Calibrated Pragmatism:
- The U.S. NSS (2025) adopts a defensive tone, emphasising burden-shifting rather than global leadership.
- India is increasingly seen instrumentally, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Quad framework.
- U.S. support for India’s rise is conditional and interest-based, not normative.
Contemporary Pillars of India–U.S. Cooperation:
1. Strategic and Defence Cooperation:
- India designated a Major Defence Partner with defence trade crossing USD 20 billion.
- Foundational agreements such as GSOMIA, LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA were signed. Platforms like INDUS-X foster joint defence innovation.
2. Economic and Trade Engagement:
- Bilateral trade reached USD 131.8 billion (2024–25) as the U.S. became India’s largest trading partner.
- India is part of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) to secure critical supply chains.
3. Technology and Innovation:
- iCET facilitates cooperation in AI, semiconductors, quantum computing and defence tech.
- Joint projects like NASA–ISRO’s NISAR satellite underline trust in high-end technology sharing.
4. Indo-Pacific and Regional Security:
- Quad cooperation on maritime security, supply chains and vaccines.
- India plays a stabilising role in the Indian Ocean, complementing U.S. regional objectives.
5. People-to-People Ties:
- Over 4.5 million Indian-origin people in the U.S and Indian students at 200,000+ form the largest international student cohort, strengthening soft power links.
Key Challenges and Frictions:
- Trade and Tariffs: Disputes over steel, aluminium, digital trade and WTO rules. U.S. placed India on the 2024 Priority Watch List.
- Strategic Autonomy: U.S. pressure over India’s ties with Russia over S-400, Oil imports and Iran.
- Data Governance: Divergence over data localisation and digital taxation.
- U.S. Unilateralism: “America First” tendencies undermine predictability of commitments.
Navigating a Changing Partnership:
1. Strategic Autonomy with Engagement: Deepen cooperation without entering formal alliances; sustain India’s multi-alignment strategy.
2. Issue-Based Cooperation: Focus on convergences in defence, technology, climate resilience and supply chains.
3. Economic Rebalancing: Resolve trade disputes through institutional dialogue; leverage India’s manufacturing push.
4. Technology as Anchor: Use iCET, TRUST and semiconductor partnerships to future-proof the relationship.
5. Regional Leadership: India should shape the Indo-Pacific narrative rather than merely fitting into U.S. strategy.
Conclusion:
As External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar notes, “India seeks partnerships, not alliances.” By engaging the U.S. on equal, interest-based terms while strengthening its own capabilities, India can transform pragmatic cooperation into a resilient strategic equilibrium.
‘+1’ Value Addition:
- The India–U.S. Civil Nuclear Deal remains the only instance of a non-NPT country receiving full nuclear legitimacy.
- India is the only Quad member not bound by a military alliance with the U.S.
- India joined the Artemis Accords, signalling deeper space cooperation with the U.S.
- The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) carries nearly 80% of global maritime oil trade, underscoring India’s strategic relevance.
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