Indo American Relations

By Mohammad Daanyal Zaidi

● During initial years india had an anti imperial view and the US had an anti communist
rule
● John Foster Dulles: "Those who are not with us are against us.
● In the absence of cooperation from India, and with a communist government in China,
Pakistan became an essential element in the United States' containment of the Soviet
Union in Asia. What began as an ideological gulf between India and the US developed
into a strategic chasm
● 1962 onwards US was strictly neutral with Pakistan and India so Pakistan looked to
China for assistance
● During the 1971 war The US supported Pakistan so India looked to the USSR for help.
USS enterprise was sent to help Pakistan
● - 1974: India conducts first nuclear weapon test at Pokhran
○ - Diverted nuclear materials from US for weapons program
○ - Assured world of test's "peaceful" nature
○ - Impact: American influence in south Asia undermined, global nonproliferation
regime affected
● 1980s: US-India relationship obscured by superpower conflict in Afghanistan and India's
internal issues
○ - India and US on opposing sides of global conflicts
○ - India's involvement in Sri Lanka due to regional autonomy concerns and Tamil
population
● - Mid-1980s:
○ - India-US relations marginally improved with Gorbachev's policy changes
○ - US resumes arms supplies to India on small scale (1986-1988)
● - 1988: PM Rajiv Gandhi's historic visit to China for normalizing relations
○ - India's positive diplomacy reflected in support for US military operations in
1990 Gulf War
● - Cold War impact on south Asia:
○ - Sustained Pakistan's strategic balance against India
○ - Arms race in south Asia, tense India-US relations in 1970s and 1980s
○ - End of Cold War and India's economic crisis: pivotal events leading to potential
shifts in regional dynamics.
● - 1991: Indian government initiates significant economic reforms to liberalize the
economy under Prime Minister Rao and Finance Minister Manmohan Singh
○ - Purpose: Address serious balance of payments crisis
○ - Result: Opening door to foreign private capital, including American investment
● - Foreign direct investment (FDI) in India:
○ - 1992: $165 million
○ - 1997: $2.14 billion (13-fold increase)
 Indo American Relations
By Mohammad Daanyal Zaidi

● - Two-way trade between India and US:

○ - Dramatic growth, reaching almost $30.6 billion in 2006
○ - US accounts for nearly one-sixth of Indian exports in 2006
● - Growth of India's knowledge economy and global outsourcing industry leads to multiple
private sector linkages
○ - Economic ties play vital role in shaping the new India-US relationship
● - Nuclear testing issue:
○ - Covert nuclear weapons program initiated by Rajiv Gandhi in 1988 due to
perceived threat from Pakistan
○ - Testing delayed in 1994 due to concerns over potential impact of US sanctions
on post-reform Indian economy
● - Prime Minister Rao emphasizes importance of integration into global economy and
close relations with US to safeguard India's economic security

Impact of Pokhran

● - May 1998: India detonates five nuclear devices at Pokhran; Pakistan detonates six
nuclear devices at Chagai Hills
○ - Sharp focus of President Clinton's administration on south Asia
○ - Immediate American response: Economic sanctions on both countries
○ - Paradoxical outcome:
● - Tests of May 1998 mark beginning of end of nonproliferation disagreements between
India and US
○ - High-level negotiation process initiated by Washington with long-term
objectives: nonproliferation, progress in relations with India, continued support for
Pakistan as pro-western Islamic state
● - Evidence of American respect for India's concerns:
○ - US supports India during Pakistan's offensive in Kargil district of Kashmir
○ - Domestic lobbies in US, mainly Indian-American groups, pressure Congress to
ease sanctions on India
○ - Rejection of comprehensive test ban treaty by Republican-dominated Senate in
October 1999 favors India
● - Post-Pokhran rapprochement between India and US:
○ - Clinton's successful visit to India in 2000 marks landmark in transformation of
India-US relations
○ - India supports President George W. Bush's nuclear missile defense initiative
○ - India offers full operational support for US war against terrorism after 9/11
attacks
○ - US lifts all sanctions against India by September 22, 2001
○ - Bilateral defense policy group, suspended since 1998, revived by end of 2001
● - Following terrorist attack on Indian parliament in December 2001 US pressures
Pakistan into commitment on curbing cross-border terrorism in India
 Indo American Relations
By Mohammad Daanyal Zaidi

●- 2002: US initiates regional security dialogue with India exploring shared interests in
India's neighborhood, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, signaling a
significant break from Cold War era.
Common values
● The post-1990 story of India-US relations is characterized by more than just the Cold
War's end, India's nuclear tests, or economic liberalization.
● -It involves rediscovering common political values, a departure from viewing India as a
revisionist power.
● - Since the 1950s, India's embrace of constitutional democracy resonated in the US,
reflecting a shared commitment to post-colonial democracy.
● - US aid to India in the 1950s and 1960s underscored the importance of promoting
democratic stability.
● - Despite viewing Pakistan as a military partner, the US recognized India's potential as a
political ally, leading to a two-pronged strategy in South Asia.
● - The momentum shifted towards a value-based approach post-9/11, emphasizing
democracy promotion alongside economic interests.
● - India was included in global democracy promotion initiatives, highlighting the evolving
nature of the relationship.
● - Concerns about global terrorism further aligned Indian and American interests, though
tactics varied.

Geopolitical factor

● - Regional and international factors in warming India-US relations

○ - Growing India and powerful China spur India-US entente
○ - Jaswant Singh, India's former foreign minister, highlights India's stability over
Pakistan's "failed state" status, making better relations with India strategic for US
○ - US no longer views actions in subcontinent as zero-sum game between India
and Pakistan
○ - US declares Pakistan major non-NATO ally in 2004, signs agreements for
arms transfers worth $3.5 billion for fighting terrorism while building ties with India
○ - China emerges as new third party in India-US relationship, prompting US to
gravitate towards India as hedge against China
● - India's significance:
○ - Bush administration shifts from viewing India as potential great power to
considering it among "major powers"
○ - US aims for India to support its international affairs and serve as "junior
partner" in controlling Indian Ocean
○ - Indian intentions:
○ - Despite citing Chinese threat as motivator for nuclear weapons program, India
seeks engagement with Beijing
○ - India develops dialogue with China to resolve issues and explore cooperation
 Indo American Relations
By Mohammad Daanyal Zaidi

○ - India's growing relationship with US may prompt China to take India more
seriously
● - Challenges and disagreements:
○ - Some Indians prioritize instability in Pakistan over concerns about China
○ - India finds common ground with China in international forums against western
interests
○ - Internal divisions over India-US nuclear deal signal unwillingness to play
second fiddle to US
○ - Disagreements over Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline and friendly policies
towards undemocratic regimes strain India-US relations
○ - India aims to maintain independence from US control and continue pursuing its
own interests.
● - India seized diplomatic opportunities after the end of the Cold War and the US need for
meaningful partners post-9/11.
● - Supported US on key initiatives like the war on terrorism and nuclear missile defense.
● - Cooperation aimed to challenge and modify "global rules of the game" in line with
Indian interests.
● - Joined hands with US in democracy promotion efforts.
● - Cooperated extensively on the nuclear front, placing several nuclear reactors under
international safeguards.
● - Resulted in India's nearly unconditional entry into the global nuclear club.

Obama Approach

● - Obama administration's foreign policy contrasts with previous approach, emphasizing

"smart" power and engagement with allies and partners.
● - Indian media and political communities worried about possible weakening of ties under
Obama.
● - Early signals of US interest in Kashmir issue worried New Delhi, but ultimately, Obama
administration focused on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
● - Early visits by Clinton and Holbrooke showed positive signals towards India.
● - Clinton's visit to India in July 2009 aimed to reassure India about the nuclear deal and
signal desire to elevate relationship.
● - Important agreements signed during Clinton's visit, including cooperation on space
technology and innovation.
● - Strategic dialogue launched with India's foreign minister, covering various areas such
as agriculture, education, health, economy, and climate change.
● - Despite differences on climate change and concerns over Pakistan, Clinton's visit
maintained stability in US-India relationship.
● - Clinton's decision not to visit Pakistan or Afghanistan signaled a decoupling of India
and Pakistan in US South Asia strategy.
● - Overall, Clinton's visit kept US-India relationship stable, if not significantly advancing it
to new heights.