India-U.S. Ties: Glitch or Structural Tension?

 

India-U.S. Ties: Glitch or Structural Tension?

By J.K. Suryavanshi | Civil Services Newsletter

The India-U.S. relationship, once celebrated as a cornerstone of 21st-century geopolitics, is now showing visible signs of stress. While official statements still speak of long-term strategic convergence — in defence, energy, trade, and technology — recent developments suggest that deeper structural tensions may be at play.

Is Trumpism the Culprit or Just a Symptom?

U.S. President Donald Trump’s erratic style, nationalist rhetoric, and tariff-linked conditionalities — even referencing India’s BRICS membership — have amplified the friction. Despite positive diplomatic moves like the COMPACT Initiative and regular high-level meetings, the optimism is no longer uniform across Washington.

Influential voices in American policy circles, such as Ashley J. Tellis — previously an advocate of strategic altruism toward India — now warn against India’s “great-power delusions.” The cracks, it seems, were always there, but Trump’s transactional politics have made them harder to ignore.

Strategic Autonomy vs. Strategic Expectations

India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been assertively independent. From surgical strikes to its continued engagement with Russia, Iran, and BRICS, India has reaffirmed its strategic autonomy. This multidirectional diplomacy is captured by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s phrase: "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" in foreign policy.

But for the U.S., such autonomy — especially ties with America's rivals — poses a challenge. Washington has historically managed dual relations with conflicting states (e.g., Qatar and Saudi Arabia, India and Pakistan) but resists similar flexibility from its partners.

Shifting American Perceptions

Nationalist ideologies in both nations are colliding. The America First worldview, with its zero-sum outlook, sees India less as a benign partner and more as a self-serving power. At the same time, the India First narrative, rooted in RSS-linked scepticism of the West, is increasingly unwilling to align unconditionally with American strategic goals.

India’s strategic balancing — engaging Russia despite the Ukraine war, and trading with Iran despite U.S. sanctions — fuels American concerns. On the other hand, India finds U.S. rapprochement with Pakistan and China troubling, especially when India is pushing hard to isolate Pakistan on the terrorism front.

The Trade Trap

Economic ties — once a major pillar of India-U.S. relations — are also under strain. India’s push for self-reliance and protectionism, especially under its manufacturing and digital policies, frustrates American expectations of market access. For decades, the U.S. has seen India’s vast consumer base as a potential jackpot. But this remains largely unrealized, and recent tariff battles have only worsened the stalemate.

Conclusion: A Defining Relationship or a Difficult One?

The India-U.S. relationship is no longer just about shared democratic values or strategic interests. It is now shaped by nationalism, structural divergences, and shifting global alignments. What seemed like a temporary turbulence under Trump may, in fact, reflect a deeper recalibration.

Civil Services Insight:
Understanding these complex dynamics is crucial for aspiring civil servants, especially in international relations, trade policy, and diplomacy. Candidates must note that in the 21st-century multipolar world, even "natural allies" will frequently face friction — and managing such ties will require both pragmatism and patience.