INDIA - US RELATIONSHIP: THE CHAMELEONIC AFFAIR

 By: Divya Garg

India US relationship, which is one of the most significant global partnership, have had a tempestuous past. This bilateral tie shares common democratic interests and a history in which India is influenced by US policies concerned with twain strategic economic, political, regional and global issues. Initially, this was overshadowed by cold war politics, gradually improved but again reached their nadir in May 1988 when US imposed expansive sanctions to conduction of nuclear tests by India.

However, the relations were ameliorated when US 42^nd president, Bill Clinton visited India in March 2000 which was the first visit by any US president over 20 years. The terrorist attack against the US on 11 September 2001 and against the Indian Parliament in December 2001 along with operations in Afganistan provided momentum to the growing closeness between the two giants and made them comprehend the similar nature of threats to their security. As a result, US 43rd president, George W. Bush waived the earlier imposed sanctions and they further concluded a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), another defense foundational agreement after 15 years of negotiation followed by the resumption of various military, naval exercises including MALABAR which continues even today.

Indo – American: Global Strategic Partnership is based on six major factors.

1 SECURITY

Defence Co-operation:

 In 2005, India-US signed New Framework for the India-U.S. Defense Relationship followed by Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) initiative lead by the then Deputy Secretary of Defense Carter. This collaborative effort fostered more sophisticated science and technology cooperation and ensured bureaucratic procedures do not stand in the way of progress. Later in 2015, President Obama travels to India as Chief Guest for India's 66th Republic Day celebrations which resulted in the completion of the 2015 Framework for the U.S.-India Defense Relationship, Agreement to pursue four pathfinder projects under the DTTI as well as cooperation on Aircraft Carriers and Jet Engine Technology, and on Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region right after President Obama and former Prime Minister Singh endorse the India-U.S. Declaration on Defense Cooperation.

Counter Terror:

Both the countries have actively participated in various multilateral export control regimes such as National Security Guard (NSG) and Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) along with curbing the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. However, they have to overcome their strategic allies and political boundaries.

Cyber Security and intelligence sharing:

With the establishment of US-India Cyber security forum in 2002, they both recognized the need of cyber security co-operation in law enforcement, research and development, intelligence sharing and military sphere.  Also, it can evolve with regarding nanosatellites, high-tech nuclear safeguarding equipment, scenarios for terror attacks and grid network for intelligence sharing.

2 ECONOMIC RELATIONS -

Trade and FDI:

Bilateral trade and investment has promised massive growth for both the countries. In recent years, foreign direct investment has substantially grown two-way.

In 2019, overall U.S.-India bilateral trade in goods and services reached $149 billion. U.S. energy exports are an important area of growth in the trade relationship. In 2018 India purchased 48.2 million barrels of U.S. crude oil, a significant increase from 9.6 million in 2017.

3 ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE:

Nuclear:

On 25 July 2005, the 123 agreement was signed between India and US which known as the Indian Civil Nuclear Agreement or Indo-US nuclear deal. The emphasis of this deal was on non – proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. The US would work with full civil nuclear co-operation with India.

Climate change and environmental issues:

India is currently the fifth biggest producer of wind energy in the world, after Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the USA. The country's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) released in June 2008 has 8 'missions' to achieve the goal of sustainable development, including developing solar energy, water conservation, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, among others. Whereas, US under the Obama administration has initiated a series of legislative and executive decisions in order to realize the promises of a green energy future for the US. Thus, with fair interdependence both the countries can benefit from each other.

4 NON- PROLIFERATION AND DISARMAMENT REFORMS: 

The Non – Proliferation Treaty has been in long stress as unable to cope with the emergence of new challenges. The bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement was finalized in July 2007 and signed in October 2008. During Prime Minister Modi's visit to the U.S. in September 2014, the two sides set up a Contact Group for advancing the full and timely implementation of the India-U.S. Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, and to resolve pending issues. Culminating a decade of partnership on civil nuclear issues, the two sides have started the preparatory work on site in India for six AP 1000 reactors to be built by Westinghouse which would be the among the largest of its kind.

5 SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Education:

The two governments have decided to form an India-US Higher Education Forum under the auspices of the U.S.-India Business Council. Foreign Education Service Providers Bill has been introduced to promote greater educational collaboration. The Nehru-Fulbright Fellowship Program and the Manmohan Singh – Barack Obama knowledge initiative have also provided momentum to the educational exchange program between the two countries. The India-US Science and Technology Endowment is also set to play an important role in promoting research collaboration and academic exchange.

Last year, Indian students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities contributed over $8 billion to the U.S. economy. The total number of Indian students in the United States has more than doubled over the last decade, from 81,000 in 2008 to a record high of 202,000 in 2019

Health

Health is one of the most crucial sector. The US has supported India's polio eradication programs and the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided over $111 million to India for polio eradication since 1999 to India. Presently, India and US are working together on combating the COVID-19 for development of coronavirus vaccine.

4 DIPLOMACY AND GLOBAL CO-OPERATION

Democracy:

One is considered as the world’s oldest democracy and the other is known as the world’s largest democracy. The US-India share common grounds on the ideals of freedom, democratic principles, equal treatment of all citizens, human rights, and the rule of law.

SOME MAJOR COUNTRIES WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECT THE BILATIERAL TIE ARE:

1 PAKISTAN:  

There are various factors which define India US relations when seen through the prism of Pakistan. US has been providing aid to Pakistan from 1990’s which is of the utmost significant concern in the triangle but their relations degraded after the terrorist attacks. Although, US has been conducting strategic dialogues with India, Pakistan and China. As far as the Indo-American relationship is concerned, it has been observed that recently two have reached at a level of business partnership despite of being Pakistan as the major irritant.

2 CHINA:

 It occurred as a major factor following the normalization of its ties with the US in 1971 and inclination of both countries towards Pakistan during Indo-Pak war in 1972. The strategic management of China by India is through its closer ties with US. However, maintaining deeper and regular relations will require political will and resolving or managing differences on trade, investment, immigration with China which will make India an attractive partner for US and many others. 

3 IRAN: 

After the airstrike by the US that has killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the relations became unstable between them. India has mindfully managed to find a mid-way as it could not lose any of its allies. Since, US is an emerging global power and energy security is dependent on Iran.

4 AFGHANISTAN: 

The US efforts to fight against the Taliban and Al-Qaida have been appreciated in India. Also, India-US have been playing its constructive role in the form of economic aid and reconstruction of Afghanistan aimed at boosting up the efforts of the United States and its NATO allies so that stability can be brought about in Afghanistan.

TRUMP AND MODI: SHEER POLITICAL SPECTACLE

The strategic investment made by both the giants in enduring their relationship with each other has successfully benefitted both the countries in geo-political sphere. Be it, “Howdy, Modi!” or “Namaste, Trump!” the events aimed to give recognition, support and desired respect in internationally. But, Trump’s fixation on the capillaries of trade balances may only enable Modi to avoid arterial reforms, and the president’s erratic unilateralism will only feed Indian wariness about his judgment on the most consequential regional dilemmas, such as Afghanistan and China’s growing assertiveness. Although, investing in each other with their fullest potential can only help them to emerge as global powers.

INFLUENCE OF US ELECTIONS’2020 ON INDIA

With the changing leader of US, the Indo-American relations might get affected maybe for better. Joe Biden’s win as 46^th president of US is expected to be favourable for India as it is believed that strategic ties will be deepened and as Biden reminded of days he advocated strong friendship with India when he was Senator. His commitment on Paris agreement ca bring India good fortune.“Our government will reflect the diversity of the United States, and Indian-American voices will be included in shaping the policies that impact their communities,” he promised.

Also, Kamala Harris of Indian origin as the Democratic vice-president of the state have evoked mixed reactions where majority of them stating it to be a political move but Biden claims that it has nothing to do with as she identifies herself Indian or black. Along with this, Biden has promised to reform the temporary H-1B visa system. “Biden will appoint leaders at the Department of Justice who will prioritize the prosecution of hate crimes, and he will order his Justice Department to focus additional resources to combat hate crimes — including religion-based hate crimes — and to confront white nationalist terrorism,” the campaign document said.

Everyone is eagerly waiting to see if Joe Biden's win turns out to a boon or bane for the India-US relationship!  

ENDNOTE 

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https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2015/01/23/india-u-s-relations-in-16-charts-and-graphics/

https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-india/

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https://idsa.in/system/files/PB_India-US2020.pdf

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https://libertatem.in/government/joe-biden-and-kamala-harris-administration-a-boon-or-bane-for-us-india-partnership/