India-US Relations: Navigating Differences and Cooperation
India’s foreign policy towards the United States is influenced by a complex interplay of differences and similarities in their national interests. While both countries desire regional stability, they also face divergent goals that shape their relationship. Despite these differences, there are areas of cooperation, including counterterrorism efforts, trade agreements, and mutual defense pacts. Both nations recognize the importance of each other’s economic and strategic positions. However, where there is cooperation, there are also disparities in their foreign policies due to misaligned national interests.
India follows a policy of non-alignment with major global powers to avoid unnecessary conflicts. While they share some common interests with the US, they also have divergent goals. One key difference lies in their military approach towards China. During the Cold War, India refrained from engaging in significant defense partnerships to avoid entanglements with either the US or the Soviet bloc. However, their defense relationship blossomed after President Bush’s transformative civil nuclear agreement. Today, they engage in various defense agreements, yet face challenges in their partnership. Both countries seek to leverage their deepening ties to counter China’s assertiveness but have contrasting strategies to achieve this goal.
The US aims to integrate India’s military into combined operations as part of coalition warfare against China in the Indo-Pacific region. However, India is committed to only participating in military operations sanctioned by the United Nations. As a result, India has been cautious in investing in operational integration with the US armed forces to protect its political autonomy and maintain neutrality. While bilateral military exercises enhance tactical proficiency, they do not expand the interaction between the defense systems of both countries to the level required for combined operations against a formidable adversary.
The Biden administration recently launched an initiative to transform cooperation between the US and India in critical and emerging technologies. This initiative aims to bolster India’s power and enable it to counter China’s dominance in Asia. India, on the other hand, emphasizes developing diversified international ties and treats military exercises as political symbols. While they collaborate with the US in some areas of low politics, such as infrastructure investment, they maintain that these initiatives are not directed against China. India’s priority lies in enhancing its national capabilities to independently address threats.
Another divergence in their foreign policies can be observed in the Russia-Ukraine crisis. India has adopted a policy of neutrality, considering its strategic autonomy and the necessity to maintain relations with all powers, even if they are enemies. India aims to protect its own interests in a world where China’s importance to Russia is growing. Their interests diverge from the US’s intention to isolate Russia, weaken it economically and militarily, and bring about regime change. While the US provides weapons to Ukraine to prolong the war, India advocates for a ceasefire and diplomatic efforts to find a solution.
India’s foreign policy towards the US is guided by a delicate balance between cooperation and differences. They prioritize their national interests, maintaining friendly relations with the US while safeguarding their political autonomy. By carefully navigating their complex interplay of similarities and differences, India strives to forge a unique path that aligns with its objectives and promotes regional stability. As both nations continue to collaborate and address their disparities, the future of India-US relations remains dynamic and significant on the global stage.
