INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIP
6.USA
Trends in India- US Relationship: A contemporary Analysis
Ties between India and the United States have seen considerable improvement in the last two decades with a
convergence of views on many issues.
Shared ideals:The U.S.-India partnership has its foundation in common values, including the rule of law
and democratic principles. The United States and India have shared interests in promoting global security,
stability, and economic prosperity through trade, investment, and connectivity.
US as a “Natural ally”: The US supports India’s emergence as a leading global power and vital partner in
efforts to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is a region of peace, stability, and growing prosperity. The strong
people-to-people ties between our countries, grounded in shared values, are a tremendous source of strength
for the partnership
Defence ties:Over the past decade, India and the US have developed a closer partnership, wherein India has
gradually shifted from its historic dependence on Russia and now conducts more exercises with the US
forces than with any other country
The India-US cooperation has entered a new phase with the US having moved India up into tier-1 of the
“Strategic Trade Authorisation”for unlicensed export of sensitive Defence items to India. A step
further than the Obama administration, which had designated India as a “major defence partner.” STA
status is generally reserved for western countries and key allies. Additionally:
The U.S.-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group, (2000) one of the oldest dialogues.
The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), which allows the Indian and
American forces to use each other’s facilities, signed in 2016.
The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), which allows the
United States to transfer communication equipment to India for the secure transmission of data and
real-time information, was signed in 2018.
Recent approval by the US for supply of armed Sea Guardian drones to India — which were
hitherto sold only to NATO countries.
Both countries decided for early conclusion Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement
(BECA).
$2.6 billion worth of 24 Seahawk(MH-60 Romeo) anti-submarine warfare helicopters for the
Indian Navy and an $800 million deal for the purchase of 6 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters
deals were finalised.
Economic Relations: The United States seeks an expanded trade relationship that is reciprocal and fair. A
burgeoning trade relation can be witnessed through:
Bilateral trade in 2018 was $142 billion, a 12.6 percent increase from 2017.
Energy exports: In 2018 India purchased 48.2 million barrels of U.S. crude oil, a significant
increase from 9.6 million in 2017.
, Service exchange: In immigration, Indians continue to dominate the high-skilled visa category, at times
making up over 70 percent of H1-B visa holders.
Last year, Indian students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities contributed over $7 billion to
the U.S. economy.
International Cooperation: India and the US cooperate closely at multilateral organizations, including the
United Nations, G-20, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, International
Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. India is also a member of the Indian Ocean
Rim Association (IORA), at which the United States is a dialogue partner.
The United States supports a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member.
Fight against terror: The listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Masood Azhar as an international terrorist by
the UN is an example of uncritical American support to India. The Trump administration has also thrown its
weight behind the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reinforce the FATF demands on Pakistan.
Strategic Convergences:Balancing China’s rise in the international system, and more particularly in the
Indo-Pacific region, is a clear strategic convergence between India and the United States.
Co-operation at Forums like QUAD (India, the United States, Japan and Australia), to secure the
Indo- Pacific and countering Chinese accession in Asian geo politics.
Both countries expressed interest in the concept of the Blue Dot Network.
US welcomed India’s role in development and security assistance and providing connectivity
in Afghanistan.
Recognition of Indo-Pacific Realm:The term “Indo-Pacific region” has now replaced the term
“Asia- Pacific region” in the American diplomatic lexicon.
It renamed the former U.S. Pacific Command as Indo-Pacific Command, emphasizing the
strategic linkage between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.which shows America recognize India's
imp in Indo - pacific
Irritants in India-US Relationship
Presently, the US’s protectionist stance on trade and immigration matters presents serious challenges to India.
These are:
Challenges in balancing India’s multifaceted relationships with Iran and Russia:
India-Russia Relations: India’s decision to buy the Russian made S-400 Triumph missile defense
systemdespite threats of American sanctions through the Countering America’s Adversaries through
Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is a case, where Washington’s priorities clash with India’s interests.
India- Iran Relations: Iran used to be one of the largest suppliers of crude oil to India — about 15 per
cent of our crude supply came from Iran. It is a matter of our critical energy security interest. New
Delhi has been forced to stop concessional oil imports from both Iran and these heavy-
handed American tactics have led to sharp rise in India’s oil import bill.
The U.S. attempts to undercut India’s strategic ties with Iran are going to pose serious challenges
for Indian foreign policy. The common concerns of India and Iran about threat of terrorism
emanating from Pakistani territory make Iran an important geopolitical partner of India.
US-Pakistan Relationship: Despite Washington’s claims to having de-hyphenated(independent) its relations
6.USA
Trends in India- US Relationship: A contemporary Analysis
Ties between India and the United States have seen considerable improvement in the last two decades with a
convergence of views on many issues.
Shared ideals:The U.S.-India partnership has its foundation in common values, including the rule of law
and democratic principles. The United States and India have shared interests in promoting global security,
stability, and economic prosperity through trade, investment, and connectivity.
US as a “Natural ally”: The US supports India’s emergence as a leading global power and vital partner in
efforts to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is a region of peace, stability, and growing prosperity. The strong
people-to-people ties between our countries, grounded in shared values, are a tremendous source of strength
for the partnership
Defence ties:Over the past decade, India and the US have developed a closer partnership, wherein India has
gradually shifted from its historic dependence on Russia and now conducts more exercises with the US
forces than with any other country
The India-US cooperation has entered a new phase with the US having moved India up into tier-1 of the
“Strategic Trade Authorisation”for unlicensed export of sensitive Defence items to India. A step
further than the Obama administration, which had designated India as a “major defence partner.” STA
status is generally reserved for western countries and key allies. Additionally:
The U.S.-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group, (2000) one of the oldest dialogues.
The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), which allows the Indian and
American forces to use each other’s facilities, signed in 2016.
The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), which allows the
United States to transfer communication equipment to India for the secure transmission of data and
real-time information, was signed in 2018.
Recent approval by the US for supply of armed Sea Guardian drones to India — which were
hitherto sold only to NATO countries.
Both countries decided for early conclusion Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement
(BECA).
$2.6 billion worth of 24 Seahawk(MH-60 Romeo) anti-submarine warfare helicopters for the
Indian Navy and an $800 million deal for the purchase of 6 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters
deals were finalised.
Economic Relations: The United States seeks an expanded trade relationship that is reciprocal and fair. A
burgeoning trade relation can be witnessed through:
Bilateral trade in 2018 was $142 billion, a 12.6 percent increase from 2017.
Energy exports: In 2018 India purchased 48.2 million barrels of U.S. crude oil, a significant
increase from 9.6 million in 2017.
, Service exchange: In immigration, Indians continue to dominate the high-skilled visa category, at times
making up over 70 percent of H1-B visa holders.
Last year, Indian students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities contributed over $7 billion to
the U.S. economy.
International Cooperation: India and the US cooperate closely at multilateral organizations, including the
United Nations, G-20, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, International
Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. India is also a member of the Indian Ocean
Rim Association (IORA), at which the United States is a dialogue partner.
The United States supports a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member.
Fight against terror: The listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Masood Azhar as an international terrorist by
the UN is an example of uncritical American support to India. The Trump administration has also thrown its
weight behind the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reinforce the FATF demands on Pakistan.
Strategic Convergences:Balancing China’s rise in the international system, and more particularly in the
Indo-Pacific region, is a clear strategic convergence between India and the United States.
Co-operation at Forums like QUAD (India, the United States, Japan and Australia), to secure the
Indo- Pacific and countering Chinese accession in Asian geo politics.
Both countries expressed interest in the concept of the Blue Dot Network.
US welcomed India’s role in development and security assistance and providing connectivity
in Afghanistan.
Recognition of Indo-Pacific Realm:The term “Indo-Pacific region” has now replaced the term
“Asia- Pacific region” in the American diplomatic lexicon.
It renamed the former U.S. Pacific Command as Indo-Pacific Command, emphasizing the
strategic linkage between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.which shows America recognize India's
imp in Indo - pacific
Irritants in India-US Relationship
Presently, the US’s protectionist stance on trade and immigration matters presents serious challenges to India.
These are:
Challenges in balancing India’s multifaceted relationships with Iran and Russia:
India-Russia Relations: India’s decision to buy the Russian made S-400 Triumph missile defense
systemdespite threats of American sanctions through the Countering America’s Adversaries through
Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is a case, where Washington’s priorities clash with India’s interests.
India- Iran Relations: Iran used to be one of the largest suppliers of crude oil to India — about 15 per
cent of our crude supply came from Iran. It is a matter of our critical energy security interest. New
Delhi has been forced to stop concessional oil imports from both Iran and these heavy-
handed American tactics have led to sharp rise in India’s oil import bill.
The U.S. attempts to undercut India’s strategic ties with Iran are going to pose serious challenges
for Indian foreign policy. The common concerns of India and Iran about threat of terrorism
emanating from Pakistani territory make Iran an important geopolitical partner of India.
US-Pakistan Relationship: Despite Washington’s claims to having de-hyphenated(independent) its relations
