Evolution of India-US relations

From the editor’s desk

By Rabindra Mukherji

When Narendra Modi became India’s Prime Minister, the IndiaUS relations were still being conducted with a lot of caution. Going back in time, since India’s Independence, India aligned more towards the Soviet Union despite the fact that officially India was one of the founding members of the non-aligned movement. Nehru’s economic policy was more attracted to the Soviet socialist model than the capitalist model of the US. In those circumstances, when India was reeling under extreme poverty and low productivity levels, it was pertinent that India adopted a socialist model that protected its farmers and manufacturers. In the conduct of foreign policy, India’s approach was not to align with any of the two blocs – the USSR bloc and the US-led bloc. But what was apparent even during the Cold War days, was India’s heavy dependence on Soviet Union and its unofficial aligning with the USSR. That was of course the need of the hour then. Even after Nehru, the subsequent governments, especially during the government of Indira Gandhi, the Soviet model of economic development, and a foreign policy heavily aligned towards the USSR continued. This had of course irked the US, and Pakistan took the advantage by being openly aligned to the US. But those days were different, especially if we consider India as a nation which was taking every step internationally with a lot of caution, and sometimes with little conviction of its potential. It was natural because India became Independent after having had to tolerate the atrocities and injustices of several years of foreign rule.

Now the situation is different. The India-US relations began to improve after both India and the US made a renewed effort to understand each other’s positions. The collapse of the USSR in 1990’s meant India needed to look beyond Russia for support in the international arena. A shift in India’s foreign policy initiatives was apparent during the reign of Dr Manmohan Singh’s government. But even during Dr Manmohan Singh’s era, India and the US relations were one full of caution lacking in the sort of confidence in partnership between the two countries that is now apparent. Therefore the Modi government had to be very clear of what India needed to do in a fast changing geopolitical environment. The non-aligned movement seemed to have lost its relevance and significance since it was understood that having an ambivalent approach in international politics was no longer an option for the government. With two belligerent neighbours in China and Pakistan, India had to start asserting itself in international forums. In the first two years of the Modi government, India and the US began their political exchanges with a calibrated approach, each side awaiting and watching closely the response of the other. But the intentions from both sides had been clear. Both India and the US wanted to transform bilateral relations leaving the hangover of the past not-so-friendly relations behind them. The Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit to the US must be seen as a culmination of his government’s relentless effort to take India-US relations to a new dimension altogether. US President Biden is just the right leader who has always supported India in the past, and continues to accord importance to relations with India.

Interestingly, the current era of US–India relations did not start as smoothly as one would expect. It all began after former US President Bill Clinton’s administration did not succeed in containing India by imposing sanctions on it after India conducted nuclear tests in 1998.

The then Prime Minister of India

Atal Bihari Vajpayee did not give in to the US pressure, and India emerged from these sanctions with a renewed conviction of its potential to deal with any challenge. The US gradually began to understand India’s position and adopted a policy of accommodation towards India. This started a new chapter of mutual understanding and strategic partnership between the two countries.

But it goes to the credit of Modi government that leaving aside the baggage of the past not-sosavoury relations with the US, which were not very remarkable then, Modi began an effort to strengthen bilateral relations with the US. This was essential, for in the new world order after the Soviet collapse, and with a strong China emerging, India needed the support of the US in all international forums. This became obvious when Modi made a state visit to the United States in September 2014 on the invitation of President Obama. When Obama became the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi in January 2015, the first US President, trajectory of the IndiaUS relations was now becoming apparent.

Modi’s recent state visit to the US is a culmination of his government’s efforts to forge a strong relationship with the US, a relationship that is built on rock solid foundations of mutual trust and understanding of each other’s positions, both domestically and internationally. Both US President Biden and Indian Prime Minister Modi believe in talking frankly about various issues of international importance. Addressing the US Congress this time around, Modi reminded the Congressmen of what India is and stands for. He underscored the common vision that both India and the US share. India’s vision, just like that of the US, goes beyond the welfare of their respective countries. Both the countries work for the welfare of the whole world, and India has time and again shown it through its humanitarian works wherever such acts were needed, be that during the Covid-19 pandemic or the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria more recently. The US now understands India, its people and its culture. The defence agreements that India and the US signed during Modi’s recent US visit will not only enhance India’s defence capabilities but also solidify its position as a dependable partner of the US for advanced technology collaborations. Modi’s ‘Make in India’ policy is in sync with the deals India has had with the US. The semiconductor production deals with the US have elevated India to a position where it can become a global manufacturing hub for advanced technologies. These deals with the US will give a boost to India’s economy, and encourage innovation and technological progress in India. Also, the US recognizes India as an important partner for the US in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.