Keep Playing The Ball Game

Context: While India and the US shared similar political values and geostrategic interests, they had very different views and perceptions of what those principles meant in the past.

Key Irritant Areas of Indo-US Relationship (in the past):

• Cold war era and policy of non-alignment: the issue of Pakistan and its break-up, and India’s commitment to a State-managed economy.
• India’s decision to join the nuclear club: in the face of the US’ opposition to nuclear proliferation set back relations.
• Vietnam War: While the US helped India with the Green Revolution and food aid, linking it directly to its actions on the Vietnam War negated the goodwill that should have followed.

Major Elements of Revival in Indo-US Relationship:

• US’s pivot to Asia policy: the US considers India as a balancing factor in the global equation, especially given the rise in Chinese power in Asia region.
• Shared values and strategic security concerns: Based on commercial and investment ties, military exercises and equipment acquisitions, intelligence collaborations and political discussions.
  • US began to recognise the attraction of India’s large market (after 2000) just as India identified the US as a source of capital, technology and trade.
  • Cooperation on energy, trade and investment: will complement growing geostrategic interests.
  • Trade and commercial disputes and negotiations must be handled through well-established mechanisms in agriculture, industry, pharma and services.
  • Joint commitment to a democratic order is essential for the relationship based on the protection of minorities, tolerance of religions/cultures, the rule of law, human rights and the freedom of the press.
  • Strategic autonomy-based relationship: India is not likely to return to non-alignment or Cold War bipolarity; hence both nations need to develop mutual respect for policies, economic and security.
• Mutual challenges to policymakers: concerns related to the future of the liberal international order due to Chinese rise and climate change.
• Utilising Diaspora: Growing Indian diaspora in the US will help cement the relationship.
• Personalities of leaders as shaping forces: E.g. Growing trust between George W Bush and Manmohan Singh was a major element in concluding the nuclear deal.