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India and America could never become good friends. The reason for this is historical differences and domestic politics between the two. Both countries are strategic partners, but remains mistrust in trade, defense and foreign policy.
There are many areas of cooperation between the two, but there are some historical and current differences.India and America can be more accurately described as ‘strategic partners’ than ‘good friends’. There are many areas of cooperation between these two, but there are some historical and current differences. Historically there has been a deep mistrust in areas such as strategic differences, trade disputes and military policy between the two countries. Especially in the Cold War era. When India chose the non -aligned path and the US preferred Pakistan. At that time, America used to look at the neutrality of India with doubt.
Cooperation and partnership in recent times
America has now become a major supplier of weapons and defense equipment to India. The two countries together conduct many military exercises (eg Malabar practice). They are also collaborating in forums like ‘Quad’ to counter China’s growing influence. Trade between the two countries is growing rapidly. America is the largest business partner of India. Indian companies are investing in the US, and American companies are increasing investment in India. India and America have deep cooperation in the field of space, technology and innovation. Around 44 million people of Indian origin play an important role in areas like technology, politics and business in America. Both countries are the largest democracy in the world and are supporters of the ‘rules-based international system’.
Why did you get upset in bilateral relations again
The ‘US First’ of Trump administration and the ‘Make in India’ policy of Modi government has stood in front of each other. Business talks and tariff issues are often the main reasons in the relationship between the two countries. For example, in the previous years, the US put heavy tariffs on Indian products, India also responded with retaliation. The US wants India to prioritize its agriculture and milk products, but India is always ready to protect its local interests. The US has threatened to punish India due to India’s defense and energy relations with Russia. The US also showed strictness on tech companies, H1B visas and foreign technical cooperation in India.
Strategic autonomy and national interest
India maintains its policy of historical strategic autonomy, in which it does not accept interference in its relations with Russia. America considers India a strategic partner against China, but India makes its decisions independently and does not want any third party mediation. India’s partnership with Russia and Iran, especially in defense and oil sector, is still a cause of concern for America. The US has also objected to the purchase of arms from Russia and has also threatened to ban India many times.
In India, public opinion and opposition against American intervention and pressure are pressurizing the government not to bend in front of America’s threats. In the US, relations become more complicated due to the demands of domestic politics and trump supporters. Especially about Indian-origin tech-workers and manufacturing.
The Trump administration proposed preference trade rate and joint oil discovery to Pakistan. India’s disagreement on India’s purchase of oil from Russia and weapon imports obstructs relations. After the independence of India, when the world was divided into two groups, India decided not to join any group. It was called Non -Aligned Movement. America looked at this policy with suspicion and understood it as a tilt towards the Soviet Union. During the Cold War, America made Pakistan its ally and gave it military assistance. India considered it a major threat to its safety. The US supported Pakistan during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, while the Soviet Union supported India. This incident deepened the mistrust between India and America.
After nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998, the US imposed strict sanctions on India. The US believed that India’s nuclear weapons could be promoted. Whereas India described it as necessary for its national security. Both India and America have historically suspected each other about relations with third countries (such as Pakistan, Russia, China). The previous governments tried to reduce stress, but the Trump administration’s public criticism and pressure shows different way.
Business, strategic autonomy, domestic politics and relationship with third countries, all these reasons prevent India and America from becoming ‘true friends’. Even if there are talks of friendship in public forums. Does India and America not trust each other? Lack of trust is not completely correct. But trust is limited and often suspicious. Although cooperation on strategic, technical and global issues has now increased in both countries, the very close strategic partnership is still not fully formed. Both give priority to their national interests and true trust remains in skepticism in many areas.
