During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington, President Joe Biden emphasized that the India-U.S. partnership will be one of the “defining relationships of the 21st century”.
India’s Relations with the US
Strategic Partnership: Based on shared values, commitment to democracy, and upholding the rules-based international system.
Shared Interests: Promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity through trade, investment, and connectivity.
Economic Relations:
- Major Trading Partner: The US emerged as India’s biggest trading partner in 2022-23 (Bilateral Trade USD 128.55 billion in 2022-23 )
- Exports to the US rose by 2.81% to USD 78.31 billion in 2022-23.
International Cooperation:
- UN Security Council: US supported India’s membership for a two-year term starting in 2021 and a reformed UN Security Council including India as a permanent member.
- Indo-Pacific Economic Framework: India is one of twelve countries partnering with the US.
- Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): India is a member; the US is a dialogue partner.
- International Solar Alliance: US joined in 2021.
- USAID Cooperation: Enhanced collaboration since 2022.
- Strategic Grouping: I2U2 involving India, Israel, UAE, and the US; QUAD
Defence Cooperation:
- Foundational Agreements: LEMOA) – 2016, COMCASA) – 2018, BECA – 2020, GSOMIA – extended with Industrial Security Annex (ISA) in 2019
- Military Purchases: India has bought USD 20 billion worth of arms from the US over the last two decades.
- Military Exercises: Bilateral (Yuddha Abyas, Vajra Prahar) and multilateral (Quad Forum, Malabar) exercises.
Space and Science and Technology:
- NASA-ISRO Collaboration: Developing the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite.
- Artemis Accords: ISRO signed in June 2023 for space exploration.
- iCET Initiative: Joint effort by National Security Advisors of the US and India, launched in January 2023, focusing on AI, quantum, telecom, space, biotech, semiconductors, and defence.
Major Challenges:
US Criticism of India’s Foreign Policy:
- Non-Alignment Policy: India’s historical non-alignment contrasts with US alliance-centric foreign policy.
- Refusal to Support US Military Actions: India refused to send troops to Afghanistan post-9/11 and did not support the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
- Russian-Ukraine War: India’s continued import of Russian oil and refusal to align with the US stance.
India’s Engagement with US Adversaries:
- Oil Imports: Criticism of US blocking Iranian and Venezuelan oil.
- Purchase of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia
- Iran and SCO: India’s efforts to bring Iran into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
US Criticism of India’s Democracy:
- Reports on Democracy and Human Rights: US organizations and foundations periodically question India’s democratic practices, press freedom, and minority rights (e.g., International Religious Freedom Report 2023, Human Rights Report on India 2021).
Economic Tensions:
- Protectionism Concerns: Atmanirbhar Bharat Campaign perceived as protectionist by the US.
- GSP Withdrawal: US withdrew duty-free benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in June 2019, impacting Indian exports in sectors like pharma, textiles, agriculture, and automotive parts.
Way Forward:
- Indo-Pacific Region: Partnership is crucial for a free, open, and rules-based region.
- Demographic Dividend: Opportunities for US and Indian firms in technology transfer, manufacturing, trade, and investment.
- Strategic Interests: India should leverage its emerging role to explore opportunities and further its interests in a transforming international system.
From the recent summit:
- High-end Defense Cooperation: Announced new deals, including the co-production of jet engines in India.
- Semiconductor Industry Investments: Plans to invest in India’s semiconductor industry.
- Partnership in Quantum Computing and AI: Agreed to collaborate on quantum and advanced computing and AI.
- Mineral Security Partnership: India joined the 11-nation partnership for critical minerals, challenging China’s global monopoly.
- Emerging Technologies Cooperation: Focused on critical and emerging technologies, especially in clean energy.
- Space Exploration: India signed the 27-nation Artemis Accords for space cooperation.
- NASA-ISRO Partnerships: Strengthened collaboration with NASA for human spaceflight )
The resilience of the India-Russia relationship amid global shifts is evident from following aspects:
- Historical Trust: Indo-Soviet Friendship Treaty of 1971 solidified alliance. Relationship elevated to “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” in 2010.
- Energy Security: India is actively engaged in importing hydrocarbons from the Russian Far East.The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is being built in Tamil Nadu with the technical assistance of Russia.
- Strategic Alignment: Counterbalancing Chinese influence and Advocacy for multipolar world order.
- Global Governance: Moscow backs India’s aspirations for a permanent Security Council seat and entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, despite opposition from Beijing.
- Defense Cooperation: Russia accounts for 47% of India’s arms imports and joint projects like BrahMos. In October 2018, India signed a 5.43 billion USD deal with Russia for the S-400 Triumf missile.
- Economic Engagement: Bilateral trade at USD 45 billion, surpassing USD 30 billion target.
- Cultural Ties: Cultural exchanges and public diplomacy efforts deepen people-to-people connections.
- Geopolitical Realities: Despite challenges, evolving geopolitical dynamics haven’t eroded the core trust and strategic alignment
Challenges within the relationship amidst the global shift:
- Strategic Crossroads for Russia: Closer ties with China and Pakistan.
- Diplomatic Dilemma for India: Balancing relations with USA and Russia and india’s criticism over Ukraine crisis stance.
- Declining Economic Engagement: Gradual decline in defence imports; Dissatisfaction with post-sales services.
In the face of evolving geopolitics, fostering resilience, open communication, and a shared commitment to global peace will be key to the success of India-Russia relations in the future.
Recently, on January 26, India and France celebrated 25 years of their strategic partnership, united by shared values of peace, stability, and a mutual commitment to strategic autonomy.
Major Areas of Cooperation Between India and France:
- Key Defense Partner
- Arms Trade: France is the second-largest arms supplier to India
- Strategic Defense Deals: Deals include the transfer of technology for Scorpene submarines, Rafale fighter jets, and manufacturing of C-295 aircraft in India
- Joint Defense Exercises: Varuna (naval), Garuda (Air Force), and Shakti (Army) exercises.
- Economic Cooperation: Bilateral trade peaked at USD 13.4 billion in 2022-23. France is the 11th largest foreign investor in India.
- Cooperation at International Forums: France supports India’s bid for permanent UNSC membership and entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
- Climate Cooperation: Joint efforts on climate change, including the International Solar Alliance launched in 2015.India joined the French-led initiative called the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People.
- Similarity in Stand on NATO+: Both nations disapprove of NATO+ partnership plans.
- Resilient Partnership: Both nations have deepened cooperation, evidenced by a civil nuclear deal and France’s role in mitigating India’s isolation post-1998 nuclear tests.
- Civil nuclear ties on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. e.g., Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project.
- Maritime Partnership: India and France share a vision for a free, open Indo-Pacific, reflected in joint patrols, strategic visions, and trilateral cooperation with the UAE.
- Recent developments:
- One Future Alliance (OFA): France expressed support for India’s entry into OFA to build Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) capacities.
- Nuclear Energy Task Force: Agreed to convene a task force within three months to enhance cooperation in nuclear energy.
- 2026 India-France Year of Innovation: Declared to boost innovation cooperation.
- India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC): Recognized its strategic importance for enhancing commerce and energy flow between India, the Middle East, and Europe.
- Tata Group and Airbus Agreement: Signed an agreement for developing and manufacturing civilian helicopters, building on cooperation in producing C-295 Transport Aircraft.
- Shakti Jet Engine Deal: Ongoing discussions with Safran on achieving specifications aligned with India’s future fighter jet requirements.
India and France, recognizing mutual interests and dependencies, aim to enhance strategic autonomy and resilience through continued collaboration.
Point of Divergences :
- Divergent Approaches: France condemns Russia’s actions in Ukraine, while India maintains strategic restraint.
- Trade Challenges: Underutilized trade potential and absence of a Free Trade Agreement.
- Nuclear Power Issues: Technical, financial, and civil liability issues in implementing nuclear power reactors in Jaitapur.
- Cooperation Nature: Primarily Government-to-Government (G2G) with limited Business-to-Business (B2B) and People-to-People (P2P) cooperation.
