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Resetting India-U.S. Partnership in Uncertain Times
Relevance:
Class 10 (Civics): Foreign policy, democracy, role of international relations.
Class 11 (Political Science): Global diplomacy, Indo-Pacific, U.S.-India relations.
Class 12 (Politics in India and World Affairs): Strategic partnerships, global order, India’s sovereignty, bilateral diplomacy.
Class 10 (Civics): Foreign policy, democracy, role of international relations.
Class 11 (Political Science): Global diplomacy, Indo-Pacific, U.S.-India relations.
Class 12 (Politics in India and World Affairs): Strategic partnerships, global order, India’s sovereignty, bilateral diplomacy.
1. A Strong Start
India and the U.S. recently showed signs of deepening their ties.
PM Modi met President Trump; Minister S. Jaishankar attended Trump’s inauguration.
There was strong support in both capitals.
The relationship was based on democracy, shared global goals, and strategic vision.
2. Growing Problems: A Strategic Drift
There's now a serious drift, not a break.
U.S. actions seem uncertain, confusing, and a return to old habits.
Example: Trump hosted Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir, blurring the counter-terrorism message.
3. Return of ‘India-Pakistan Hyphenation’
After Operation Sindoor, Trump grouped India and Pakistan together again.
Offered Kashmir mediation, warned of nuclear threats — seen by India as outdated and unfair.
4. Worrying Economic Signals
Trump said “our deal with China is done” and warned Apple CEO not to expand in India.
This damages India's ‘China-plus-one’ manufacturing plan.
It weakens India’s image as a reliable global production hub.
5. H-1B and Tech Concerns
H-1B visa restrictions risk hurting tech cooperation.
These visas are key for Indian talent in Silicon Valley.
U.S. political pressure could harm deep tech collaboration.
6. U.S. Praise for Pakistan
CENTCOM General Kurilla called Pakistan a "phenomenal partner" in counterterrorism.
This shocks India, which sees Pakistan’s military linked to terror networks.
7. Why Is the Drift Happening?
a) Trump’s Diplomatic Style
Trump's diplomacy is unpredictable — showy and sudden.
His transactional approach values short-term wins over long-term trust.
b) U.S. View of Pakistan
Some in Washington still see Pakistan as useful, especially for Afghanistan.
There's nostalgia for old alliances, even if flawed.
c) Misunderstanding India
India’s strategic autonomy is wrongly seen as fence-sitting.
U.S. analyst Ashley Tellis claims India has “great-power delusions”.
This is wrong — India is building slowly, based on sovereignty and history.
8. What India Should Do
Don’t overreact. Avoid dramatic moves that worsen ties.
Focus on strong areas:
Defence cooperation, Quad, intelligence sharing, Indo-Pacific.
Use smart diplomacy, build ties with:
U.S. Congress, think tanks, Indian-American community.
At home, India should:
Speed up economic reforms, improve regulations, upgrade infrastructure.
On trade: Both sides may sign a small deal before July 9.
9. H-1B & Innovation: A Shared Goal
H-1B is not a gift to India — it's a mutual innovation tool.
Skilled Indian workers help both countries co-create future technologies.
Talent flow should be seen as a joint strength, not a threat.
10. What the U.S. Should Do
Stop treating Indian manufacturing and talent as threats.
Leave behind Cold War thinking.
Invest in India’s regional leadership if Indo-Pacific strategy is to work.
Rebuild the moral purpose of the partnership — not just business or China, but a democratic and rules-based world order.
11. Past Example of Hope
In 1998, after India’s nuclear tests, ties were low.
But by 2005, the civil nuclear deal proved that trust could transform ties.
That shows what is possible when mutual respect and political courage meet.
12. Final Thought
Writer Amitabh Mattoo reminds: true partnership is tested in difficult times, not celebrations.
The real question isn’t “Will Trump lose India?”
It's: “Will both countries waste a once-in-a-generation chance to build a strong, democratic Asia?”
Answer: No.
With clarity, commitment, and trust, India-U.S. ties can make history again.
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