Introduction

The fact that the 21st century is a partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracy is a foregone conclusion. This manifests itself in many ways, like frequent high-level exchanges, enhanced cooperation, and the evolving nature of the relationship. 

• Shared values and converging interests built Indo US relations
• In the year 2005, the two countries signed the ‘Strategic Partnership’ agreement. It took another 15 years for the two nations to sign the ‘Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership’ partnership in 2020, which contributed to Indo US relations

Historical Background

• The US, led by President Harry S. Truman, enthusiastically supported India’s cause for independence. He even prevailed upon his British allies, including Prime Minister Clement Attlee, who finally yielded to the prevailing situation in the Indian subcontinent
• India became independent on August 15, 1947. However, the two nations found themselves on the opposite spectrum of most foreign policy decisions post-independence. The US actively tried influencing India to join its camp during the ‘Cold war. India steadfastly refused to join any of the camps and re-enforced its ‘Non-Aligned Movement policy.’ By doing so, it enforced its ‘Strategic Autonomy’ and continues in doing so, even in the present times
• India paid a heavy price for this when its arch-rival Pakistan was supported by the US during the war of 1971 and even on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). When massive famines hit India, the US ignored its request for food aid (especially Wheat). The latter sought to entrap nations into its camp using the PL-480 law
• The disintegration of the USSR in 1991 further led to the consolidation of India’s relations with the US and its other allies such as Japan, Australia, and Israel. The matter did not end here. The US administration sanctioned many Indian organizations such as ISRO, and India’s peaceful nuclear program too was heavily approved. Finally, in 2006, the two countries cemented their partnership with the famous Indo-US nuclear deal
• The relations have been on an upswing. It has been characterized by high-level exchanges, including PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in September 2019 and President Trump’s visit to India in February 2020. The last stop was memorable on many counts. It was the first standalone visit of a US President to India, and the two countries signed certain essential agreements
• As far as Bilateral Relations are concerned, more than 50 bilateral mechanisms, including inter-governmental dialogue, support this relationship

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Strategic Partnership

• To begin with, the US is one of the few countries with whom India has signed the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership Agreement and has a 2+2 institutional dialogue mechanism (Presently, India has a 2+2 strategic dialogue with all QUAD nations- Japan and Australia, and the USA)
• This strategic partnership provides a framework for the two nations to enhance their collaboration across various sectors and in the ‘strategic domain’. The two countries have almost a shared vision for global peace and prosperity

Points of convergence

Indo-Pacific region 

• • • Both nations support peace and freedom of navigation on the high seas. The aggressive activities of China in the region have prompted both nations to unveil a standard ‘Indo-Pacific’ policy that seeks to build an area that is ‘open’ and ‘inclusive’
    • The two nations are part of various initiatives such ascountries
    • However, India is reluctant to join any camps, even if it is anti-Chinese in nature
    • The USA is concerned with this reluctance on the part of India, which seeks to have its feet on both sides of the spectrum, despite a ‘war like’ situation on the Chinese front and the latter’s attempts to harm India’s interest at every available opportunity
    • In such circumstances, India will have to accept the realities of a belligerent China that has no regard for India’s sensitivities

Terrorism

• • • The issue of terrorism is important to both the nations. Both have been victims of this dreaded global phenomenon (26/11 and 9/11 attacks). There exists a Joint Mechanism between the two countries to take forward cooperation in this field
    • There is also an established Homeland Security Dialogue between the Department of Homeland Security and the Union Home Ministry
    • Intelligence sharing between the two nations also takes place, and both nations have agreed to work towards eliminating drug related crimes in the US and India
    • However, the US’s ‘soft approach’ towards Pakistan and Pakistan state sponsored terrorism is preventing any sort of meaningful cooperation with the US
    • The US is continuing to support India’s demands to blacklist individuals and organizations involved in activities of terror against India. But it steadfastly refuses to prevail upon Pakistan to take any sort of tangible action, including the conducting of fair trial against even convicted terrorists such as Hafeez Mohammad, Masood Azhar, involved in numerous terror attacks in India

Multilateral cooperation

• • An agreement between the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and India’s Development Partnership Agency was signed to explore joint projects in third nations
  • In this regard, India and the US can open a new area of cooperation and execute joint projects of mutual importance in Afghanistan, the African continent, and other nations
  • The US also supports India’s Permanent Membership at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and other international bodies such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Recently, the US President also stated that India will be invited to join the G-7 in its expanded form

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Points of Divergence

Afghan Peace Process

• • The Afghan Taliban is a group that had ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001 and imposed a puritarian version of Islam which forbid women from availing educational opportunities, preached religious intolerance, and also sheltered anti-Indian terror groups
  • This very group has been supported and nurtured by the infamous Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) and the Pakistan government
  • In the immediate neighbourhood of India, the Afghan-Pak region is very active. The stability and security of the region has a direct bearing on India’s growth and national security. It is in this regard that the US and India seem to be having divergent views
  • The recently signed agreement between the Taliban and the US (Afghan Peace Process) has added to India’s insecurity and threatens its interest in Afghanistan. 
  • India has not been in favour of negotiating with the Taliban and other non-state actors
  • India has time and again stated that the Afghan Peace Process needs to be ‘Afghan led, Afghan owned,’ and there can be absolutely no interference from any other nation.
  • While the US intends to withdraw all its troops from the region by April 2021 without considering its impact on India and other allies, India is clearly concerned about its interests in the nation
  • India is one of the highest civil aid donors to Afghanistan and has executed many important projects, and continues to be a friend of the Afghan nation and its people. Pakistan, on the other hand, Pakistan had only wreaked havoc in a nation it considers part of its ‘strategic depth’
  • In this regard, the US has reached an agreement with the Taliban and, as a result, has taken Pakistan’s help. In this context, the US is seen to be ‘soft’ on Pakistan and Pakistan state sponsored terrorism against India
  • It appears that the US electoral interests have overshadowed its ‘Strategic Partnership’ with India

Defence Relationship

• In the past decade, the transformation of the ties can be majorly attributed to this aspect of the relationship. There is a Joint Committee on Defence and many other sub-groups involving other aspects of defence technology
• India has been recognized as a ‘Major Defence Partner’ and has also been recognized as a ‘Strategic Trade Authority Tier 1’. The latter grants India the status of a ‘non-NATO ally’
• Since 2008, India has purchased defence goods worth $18 Billion
• India and the US have also signed three out of the four foundational defence agreements 
  • General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA): The GSOMIA was signed in 2002. This agreement provides for greater technology cooperation in the military sector. It allows the sharing of classified information from the U.S. government and companies with the GoI and Défense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU) but not with Indian private companies
  • Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA): It is an agreement signed in 2016 that aims to establish a functional military relationship and permit the militaries of each country to replenish their supplies from each other’s bases. For example: the US Navy proceeding to the South China Sea could stop over at Andaman and Nicobar Islands and reload their supplies
  • Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA): It is the India specific version of CISMOA (Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement) was signed in 2018. COMCASA valid for 10 years
  • Industrial Security Ann: This will enable various US firms such as Boeing to start their manufacturing facilities in India. It will enable India to achieve its ‘Make in India’ goal and create more job opportunities while at the same time; it will also lead to the transfer of technology from the US to India
  • What is BECA? It is the last of the four foundational agreements between India-USA. But it is yet to be signed. It facilitates the exchange of access to extremely accurate geo-spatial data, high-end military technology, and classified satellite data on defence related issues. This agreement will be key for Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation between India and the US. It is feared that the USA may undermine India’s military autonomy

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Way Forward

• There is a growing realization on both sides that India can be a trusted friend of the US, and not an ally in the traditional sense and vice versa. It would be a sign of maturity of the relationship for neither side to allow the differences they may have to lose sight of a larger perspective, where there are convergences of national interests
• India needs to leverage collaboration with the US to have dominance in the Indian Ocean and to take a leading position in securing Sea Lines of Communications carrying the world’s bulk of trade and energy, which in turn could be a key leveraging factor for it in the geopolitical equations
• While the US needs to be more sensitive towards India’s reservations against its soft policy towards Pakistan, India needs to prepare itself for a larger security role in Afghanistan in a big way. Pakistan’s leverage in Washington is likely to decrease as the US scales back its presence in Afghanistan and the Gulf
• The US is also the leading country for technology transfer into India, accounting for the highest number of technology transfer approvals. So, the growing mutual trust and confidence will indeed provide the US industry with an added incentive to do business with India

Conclusion

The relationship between India and the US remains vital to shaping world order in the 21st century. To realise the full potential of cooperation, the two governments must now work to finalise the unfinished agreements and set the course for a comprehensive strategic global partnership. This relationship must be continually nurtured with a variety of diplomatic options out of the box in order for it to thrive.

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