USA
- Relations transitioned from uneasy democracies to natural allies
- transformation driven by shared democratic values, converging strategic interests, defence, trade synergy, collab in cutting edge tech
Aspects
Democratic Alignment
| Fetaure | India | USA |
|---|
| political values | UAF, constitutionalism | same |
| Rights framework | FR | US Bill of Rights |
| Judiciary | Independent | same |
| Legislature | RS,LS | Senate, House of Representatives |
- Defence relations
- USA is 4th largest arms supplier to India
- agreements: GSOMIA 2002, LEMOA, COMCASA 2018, BECA 2020
- projects: co-production of GE414 engines, armed drones, INDUS-X platform
- Trade
- US is india’s largest trading partner at $129B in 2024
- Enegrgy coop
- upgraded to Strategic Energy Partnership
- Civil nuclear cooperation via GCNEP
- joint work on modular nuclear reactors, oil/gas imports
- Strategic & regional partnership
- QUAD, 2+2 dialogue support to indo pacific security, rule based order
- I2U2
- India as net security provider & counterbalance to china
- Pandemic & global cooperation
- USA provided vaccine inputs, medical aid during COVID 19
- US backs india’s bid for UNSC, NSG
Key agreements
- F35 Jets, P8I aircraft acquisition
- new 10 year defence framework 2025-35
- Tahawwur Rana extradition
- Mission 500; Targetting $500B trade
- Civil nuclear deal
- TRUST implemenation, INDUS innovation: AI, semiconductor, biotech, space
- MoU: NSF & ANRF for joint R&D
- access to stategic minerals: Li, Co
Issues in bilateral ties
- trade imbalance: US deficit $36B, Tariffs, GSP withdrawal, IPR concerns
- Strategic autonomy: india’s stance on Russia, cautious QUAD approach
- visa restrictions: H1B tigthening, deportations
- Human Rights Concerns: US Criticism on CAA
- Defence sanctions risk: CAATSA over S400 deal
China: Shared challenge
- economic: BRI, trade dominance
- tech: lead in AI, 5G, semiconductor
- Military: stronger navy, south schina sea
- diplomacy: influence via BRICS, SCO
- currency: push for Yuan over Dollar
AUKUS Alliance
- purpose: counter china in indo pacific
- strength: AI, cyber, maritime security, joint exercises
- impact: tensions w/ china, complements quad, potential arms race
Way forward
- finalize bilateral trade agreement: tariff relief, IPR clarity
- advance defence cooperation
- Reciprocal Defence Procurement
- ease H1B visa norms, mobility for IT professionals
- secure CAATSA waiver: leverage diaspora diplomacy
- respect sovereignty
- enhance tech ties: AI, data governance, cyber defence