As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his State Visit to Washington, the spotlight falls on the state of U.S.-India relations. Over the past quarter-century, both countries have made efforts to strengthen their ties, but significant challenges persist. While the United States views India as an important bilateral partner on the global stage, it is essential to recognize that India has never sought to become a U.S. ally.
The economic aspect of the relationship has witnessed substantial growth, with bilateral trade expanding tenfold since 2000, reaching $191 billion in 2022. India has also emerged as the ninth-largest trading partner of the United States. However, longstanding economic concerns persist, as highlighted in the 2023 Foreign Trade Barriers report from the U.S. Trade Representative.
From a multilateral perspective, India’s participation in the “Quad” consultation, comprising the United States, Australia, India, and Japan, reflects shared interests and concerns about China. However, India also emphasizes non-Western groupings like the BRICS and remains outside key diplomatic bodies such as the U.N. Security Council and the G7.
The scope of U.S.-India cooperation extends to various areas, including defense, global health, sustainable development, climate change, and technology. Despite these collaborative efforts, notable differences remain. The United States has expressed concerns about India’s democratic backsliding under Prime Minister Modi and its failure to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, while the U.S.-India relationship has transformed over time, it has not evolved into a partnership akin to the closest U.S. alliances.
This lack of alignment between the United States and India should not come as a surprise. India has always prioritized foreign policy independence as a central aspect of its approach to the world. Leaders from various political parties and across decades have consistently emphasized the significance of maintaining an independent stance. India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, firmly believed in protecting India’s hard-fought independence, as he highlighted in his speeches and writings. Nehru’s nonalignment policy, which advocated for freedom of action and independence, served as a guiding principle for India’s foreign policy.
The United States, on the other hand, has traditionally favored alliances and close partnerships with other nations. While the concept of nonalignment was seen as obsolete and shortsighted by American Secretary of State John Foster Dulles in the 1950s, India pursued its independent path. The United States’ alliance with Pakistan, India’s arch-rival, further strained the relationship. Additionally, India’s alignment with the Soviet Union during the Cold War further cemented its commitment to foreign policy autonomy.
In subsequent years, Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, sought to improve relations with the United States without compromising their country’s independent foreign policy approach. The landmark 1998 speech by Prime Minister Vajpayee referred to India and the United States as “natural allies.” However, this term was more symbolic than an actual call for a formal alliance. India’s pursuit of nuclear tests at that time demonstrated its willingness to challenge global nonproliferation norms.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s tenure witnessed significant progress in U.S.-India relations, marked by the civil-nuclear agreement and enhanced cooperation in various fields. Yet, India remained steadfast in defending its principle of “strategic autonomy” as a crucial component of its foreign policy. The idea of maintaining independence while deepening ties with the United States remained a core tenet for successive Indian governments.
Prime Minister Modi has continued to deepen India’s engagement with the United States, expanding partnerships in defense, advanced technology, energy, and more. Notably, his invitation to former President Barack Obama to India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2015 demonstrated a gesture of significance. While Modi has leaned toward the United States, he has also pursued relationships with numerous other global partners, reflecting India’s multialignment approach. India’s diplomacy, encapsulated by the saying “the world is one family,” emphasizes seeking positive ties far and wide, without perceiving contradictions.
Understanding India’s historical ambivalence towards alliances and its pursuit of an independent foreign policy can provide valuable insights for U.S. foreign policy. In today’s world, characterized by diffused power and diverse actors with their own priorities, partnerships and alliances with disagreements may become the new norm. This evolving landscape calls for managing ambivalence and recognizing the need to navigate relationships based on shared interests while respecting the independence and autonomy of other nations.
As the U.S.-India relationship continues to evolve, it is crucial to acknowledge that while India is not an ally of the United States, it remains an independent and important partner. The future of international cooperation lies in understanding and accommodating the perspectives and priorities of diverse actors, as the traditional notions of alliances undergo transformation in a rapidly changing world.
EAST AND WEST 