Resetting the India-US partnership in uncertain times

Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: India Relations with Major powers, Issue: India-US partnership.

Context:

The recent drift in the India-US partnership, identifying the causes of growing unease in New Delhi and proposing a reset to reaffirm the strategic alignment between the two nations.

• It argues that despite tactical irritants and policy incoherence, the structural logic of the partnership remains robust and that a renewed commitment to shared values and strategic goals is essential for shaping a democratic world order.

Key Highlights:

Significance of the India-US Partnership Strategy:

• Strengthening Defence Ties: The sale of F-35 jets and co-production agreements will boost India’s security.
• Trade and Investment Growth: ‘Mission 500’ sets a bold trade target for the next decade.
• Energy Security: Increased oil and gas imports and nuclear cooperation will enhance India’s energy stability.
• Technology Leadership: AI, quantum computing, and semiconductor initiatives will boost India’s tech ecosystem.
• Global Strategic Influence: India’s partnership with the US strengthens its position in the Indo-Pacific region.

Reasons for the Drift:

• Transactional Approach: The U.S. prioritizes short-term gains over long-term alignment, clashing with India’s patient, strategic culture.
• Nostalgia for Pakistan: A segment of the U.S. national security establishment still views Pakistan as a familiar partner, overstating its strategic utility.
• Misunderstanding of India’s Strategic Intentions: India’s strategic autonomy is misconstrued as fence-sitting, and its ambitions are seen as delusions of grandeur.

Recommendations for a Reset:

India’s Role:

• Avoid Overreaction: Tactical irritants should not obscure deeper strategic alignment.
• Quiet Diplomacy: Persistent and calibrated diplomacy should be the preferred method.
• Broaden Engagement: Leverage Congress, think tanks, and the Indian American diaspora for strategic advocacy.
• Accelerate Economic Reforms: Reinforce the logic of investment, manufacturing, and long-term confidence.
• Reframing Immigration Concerns: Highlight the mutual benefits of the H-1B regime and tech collaboration.

The U.S.’s Role:

• Abandon Cold War Framings: Recognize that treating Indian manufacturing and talent mobility as threats is self-defeating.
• Invest in India’s Regional Capacity: Match the Indo-Pacific strategy with concrete investments in India’s initiatives.
• Rediscover Moral Purpose: Recognize that the partnership is about shaping a democratic, pluralist, and rules-based world order.

Conclusion

The India-US Partnership is at a critical juncture. Both countries must act decisively to prevent further drift and rediscover the basis of their ties. By reaffirming their commitment to shared values, strategic goals, and mutual respect, they can overcome the current turbulence and build an enduring partnership that shapes a democratic concert in Asia.

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/resetting-the-india-us-partnership-in-uncertain-times/article69709803.ece

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