It is evident that the India-US ties are going to probably witness emphasis on security issues concerning the two countries, a proof of which was provided when the Biden administration’s outreach to New Delhi entailed conversations between Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his counterpart, Llyod J. Austin, as well as the interaction that involved National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Jake Sullivan. The two top US functionaries apparently engaged with the Indian side to send a strong message regarding strategic importance that would be central to carry forward this relationship. Undoubtedly, the Biden government considers China to be its main adversary and this is where there can be a vital meeting ground between New Delhi and Washington.
By its incursions inside the Indian territory, China has caused widespread resentment within India, and for the common people, it is as big a threat as Pakistan is. This is where the Indian side has to deal with America’s overtures to Islamabad; many experts believe that to contain Islamist terrorism, Pakistan has always been an ally of the US, and Washington has many a times preferred to look the other way when that country has not only harboured extremists and fundamentalists, but allowed its territory to perpetrate unacceptable activity across its borders. In this context, it is significant that India would have its own autonomy to pursue its foreign policy and strategic objectives while honouring and respecting its relationship with Washington.
The Trump regime had not only an excellent rapport with New Delhi but also the personal chemistry between the former President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was of a different level all together. So much so that the Indian Prime Minister participated in a mega even in Houston to solicit support for the Republican head of the government. There are several strategic specialists who hold the view that the proximity between the two leaders could come in the way of furthering the ties between Washington and New Delhi. This is an exaggerated opinion since countries forge friendships based on common objectives; personal bonds do help but then there are so many other factors that come into play.
The Biden administration has more people of Indian origin than any previous government in the United States. This itself is re-assuring though these select few functionaries have total allegiance to the US Constitution and what their country stands for. The ties between the two countries were never cordial during the long tenure of Indira Gandhi who had to deal with hostility from successive US Presidents. When the Nixon government sent the seventh fleet to the Indian Ocean at the peak of the India-Pakistan conflict of 1971, the Indian dispensation quickly signed a peace accord with the erstwhile Soviet Union. The relationship between the two countries improved during the tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and ever since has shown an upward movement. The most important link between the two countries is that they believe in self-rule and democracy. A new Chapter in India-US ties is set to commence.
