“India, with greater confidence about its growing role in the world, feels less need to compromise with the United States on core political issues and has struggled to manage a wheeler-dealer in the White House,” says Christopher Clary, a non-resident fellow with the Stimson Center South Asia programme.
(The Financial Times)
The Cold War–era of distrust between India and the US is over. Relations have warmed in recent years and cooperation has strengthened across a range of economic, security and political areas.
Thus, the US gestures especially from its President in office Donald Trump is surprising.
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| Nehru with Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King |
In 1959 noted US civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr arrived in India for a month-long tour.
On his return, King said the trip reaffirmed his commitment to nonviolent resistance, calling it “the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity".
In 1962, War broke out between India and China over a disputed frontier. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wrote to President John F. Kennedy to request support from the United States.
June 26, 2017 :: Trump, Modi Meet for First Time
Washington supported New Delhi recognizing the McMahon line as the border, and providesd air assistance and arms.
Until the 1965 India-Pakistan War, strategic and military ties between Washington and Delhi remain close.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi examines nuclear test site in 1974.
1974 will be regarded a milestone in India's history.
India detonated its first nuclear device, becoming the first nation outside the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to have declared nuclear capabilities.
The move contributed to a period of estrangement between two countries.
Dec 3, 1984 - a Black night
A toxic gas and chemical leak at American-owned Union Carbide Pesticide Plant in Bhopal, India, killed thousands. India unsuccessfully sought extradition of the company’s chief executive from the United States for criminal prosecution as the death and disability toll climbed to the tens of thousands in the ensuing years.
The incident harmed U.S.-India relations.
May 11, 1998
PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee took the world by storm. He announced the completion of a series of underground nuclear tests at Pokhran in Rajasthan close to the border with Pakistan.
The event stunned US intelligence organizations and even raised fears that the move could spark a regional nuclear arms race.
The tests drew international condemnation and did impact India’s relationship with the United States. After recalling the U.S. ambassador to India, President Bill Clinton imposed economic sanctions, required under U.S. law.
But bilateral talks started from the position of strength for India.
Both the countries since then have built a relationship in defence and technology that was widely seen as one of the democratic world’s strongest answers to an expansionist China.
Under Congress dispensation; US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited New Delhi in 2005.
She interacted in details with foreign minister Natwar Singh, where both sides agreed to start a dialogue on energy security.
The visit underscored an upswing in relations despite tensions over India’s possible energy cooperation with Iran and the U.S. sale of fighter jets to Pakistan.
On June 28, 2005 -- US and India Sign New Defence Framework
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld met Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
The United States and India sign the New Framework for the U.S.-India Defense Relationship -- that sets priorities for defense cooperation in maritime security, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, and counter-terrorism.
In October 2005, the two countries conducted the largest naval exercise to date, followed by major air and land exercises.
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| July 2008 |
India and the United States ink the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative, a framework that lifts a three-decade U.S. moratorium on nuclear energy trade with India.
New Delhi agreed to separate its civil and military nuclear facilities and place all its civil resources under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
In exchange, the United States agreed to work toward full civil nuclear cooperation with India. Congress gives final approval in October 2008.
Fast forward 2025 -- Trump 2.0:
Now it's an unpredictable White House and hence a chaotic world order.
Trump’s tariffs signal the US’s most protectionist stance since the 1930s.
The uncertainty caused by Trump has led to increased costs for US consumers and businesses, disrupted global supply chains, and triggered retaliatory tariffs from key trade partners.
Tariff measures have also sparked WTO disputes.
The fact of the matter is uncertainty around global trade has reminded the world why it should "value" the WTO.
This WTO is a 'bedrock' of predictability in the global economy !!
Appearing on Fox News, Trump's deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, did not hold back as he took direct aim at India, stating that Trump had made it clear “it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this [Ukraine] war by purchasing the oil from Russia”.
From India-US ties point of view, we must note both Trump and Narendra Modi are populist leaders and credentials of both the leaders are at stake.
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| Sept 2014 : Namo speaking at Madison Square Garden in New York |
(In Washington, Modi and President Obama reach agreement on a memorandum of understanding between the Export-Import Bank and an Indian energy agency, which provides up to $1 billion to help India develop low-carbon energy alternatives and aid U.S. renewable energy exports to India.)
ends
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