India-US Strategic Relations in the 21st Century
India-US strategic relations explained with history, key dimensions, challenges and way forward for UPSC GS-2 and international relations preparation.
India-US Strategic Relations
Introduction
India-US strategic relations are among the most important bilateral partnerships for India in the 21st century. Both countries are large democracies with growing global influence. Their partnership is driven not only by shared values such as democracy and rule of law, but also by strategic compulsions, especially in the context of a rising China and a shifting global power balance.
For India, closer relations with the US help in securing its national interests in security, technology, economy, and global governance. For the US, India is a key partner in ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific and engaging with the Global South.
I. HISTORICAL EVOLUTION
1. Cold War Phase (1947–1991)
- India pursued Non-Alignment, while the US aligned with Pakistan.
- Differences over:
- Nuclear policy
- Kashmir
- India–Soviet relations
- Result: Limited trust and engagement
2. Post-Cold War Reset (1991–2005)
- India’s economic liberalisation (1991) opened new avenues.
- Gradual convergence after:
- End of bipolar world
- Rise of China
- Turning point: 2005 India–US Civil Nuclear Agreement
3. Strategic Partnership Phase (2005–Present)
- Relations upgraded to Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership (2020).
- Cooperation expanded across defence, technology, trade, climate, and geopolitics.
II. STRATEGIC & GEOPOLITICAL DIMENSION
1. Indo-Pacific Convergence
- Both support a Free, Open, Inclusive and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific.
- Shared concerns over:
- China’s assertiveness
- Militarisation of South China Sea
- Cooperation through:
- Quad
- Maritime domain awareness
- Freedom of navigation
📌 UPSC Value: Balancing power politics without a formal alliance.
2. Defence & Security Cooperation
India–US defence ties are among the fastest growing.
Key pillars:
- Foundational Agreements
- LEMOA (Logistics) – Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement,2016
- COMCASA( Secure Communication) – Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement,2018
- BECA (Geospatial intelligence) – Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement,2020
- Defence Trade
- US among India’s top defence suppliers
- C-17, C-130J, Apache, Chinook helicopters
- Military Exercises
- Yudh Abhyas
- Malabar (naval)
📌 Strategic Impact: Enhances India’s deterrence capacity, especially vis-à-vis China.
III. TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION COOPERATION
1. iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies)
Focus areas:
- Semiconductors
- Artificial Intelligence
- Quantum computing
- Space and defence technologies
📌 Relevance: Reduces India’s dependence on China-centric supply chains.
2. Space & Cyber
- NASA–ISRO cooperation
- Joint satellite missions
- Cybersecurity dialogue
- 5G/6G cooperation
IV. ECONOMIC & TRADE RELATIONS
1. Trade & Investment
- Bilateral trade: $190+ billion
- US = India’s largest trading partner
- Strong in:
- IT services
- Pharmaceuticals
- Start-ups
- Digital economy
2. Indian Diaspora
- ~4.5 million Indian-origin people in the US
- Acts as:
- Cultural bridge
- Political influencer
- Economic connector (remittances, innovation)
V. MULTILATERAL & GLOBAL COOPERATION
1. Global Governance
- US supports India’s:
- Role in Indo-Pacific
- Strategic autonomy
- Partial support on:
- UNSC reform
- Global supply chain resilience
2. Climate & Clean Energy
- India–US Climate and Clean Energy Agenda
- Cooperation on:
- Renewable energy
- Green hydrogen
- Climate finance
- Energy transition
VI. AREAS OF DIVERGENCE / CHALLENGES
1. Strategic Autonomy vs Alliances
- India avoids military alliances.
- US prefers alliance-based frameworks.
2. Russia Factor
- India–Russia defence ties
- US concerns due to Ukraine war
- India maintains issue-based alignment
3. Trade & Visa Issues
- H-1B visa uncertainties
- Digital taxation disputes
- Market access concerns
4. Human Rights Discourse
- US occasionally raises concerns
- India views it as internal matter
📌 UPSC Insight: Mature partnerships manage disagreements institutionally.
VII. SIGNIFICANCE FOR INDIA
Strategic
- Balances China
- Strengthens maritime security
- Enhances defence preparedness
Economic
- Access to capital, technology, markets
- Boost to manufacturing & start-ups
Technological
- Semiconductor ecosystem
- Defence indigenisation
- Digital public infrastructure collaboration
VIII. WAY FORWARD (ANSWER-READY POINTS)
- Deepen technology-led partnership
- Institutionalise supply-chain resilience
- Expand defence co-production
- Strengthen people-to-people ties
- Maintain strategic autonomy with issue-based alignment
- Enhance cooperation in Global South initiatives
CONCLUSION (HIGH-SCORING)
India-US strategic relations are no longer transactional but transformational. While differences persist, growing convergence in security, technology, and global governance makes the partnership a key pillar of stability in a multipolar world. For India, the challenge lies in deepening cooperation with the US without compromising strategic autonomy, thereby maximising national interest in an era of great-power competition.
