Value Added Article: The Curious State of Indo-US Relations | Category – International Relations | Source – The Financial Express

Relevance: GS Paper II (International Relations)

Source:

The Financial Express - Chrome IAS


Introduction

On September 6, the first 2+2 dialogue between India and the US took place in Delhi.


What is ‘2+2’?

The ‘2+2’ symbolises the unique framework under which India’s external affairs minister and defence minister held talks with the US defense secretary and the US secretary of state.


Aim of ‘2+2’

It aims to combine foreign and defence policy issues and deal with them in a coherent manner, rather than look at them separately.


Significance of the first 2+2 dialogue

  • The significance of this dialogue is huge as it has been held at a time when India is increasingly showing its tilt towards the US.
  • It would boost Indo-US bilateral ties and help India avoid an uncomfortable position when the US’s second set of sanctions get kicked in against Iran in the first week of November.

How US perceives India ?

Being a superpower that wants to desperately hold on to its status, the US looks India as a reliable partner and a possible ally in South Asia, which could act as a balancing force against China in the region.


Has India taken the US side?

India, for long, has tried to refrain itself from choosing sides and has had friendly relations with most of dominant powers.


India faces a difficult situation

With India’s rising stature and power, the world expects India to play a bigger role in global affairs and thus India is finding itself in an increasingly uncomfortable position where it can’t have equally good relations with every major power.


Recent issues in India – US relations

  • Under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), Indo-US relations reached a standoff when India went ahead to deal with Russia for the S-400 Triumf missile system, despite threats of sanctions.
  • The other major issue between India and the US is the strengthening of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)—at least the US wants the QUAD to take an institutional shape and thrive in the Indo-Pacific region as a counterforce to China and its allies. India, on the other hand, wouldn’t want to complicate things with China, especially after the Wuhan Summit in April where PM Modi went to recalibrate Sino-Indian ties.

Difference in nature of interests of India and US

The US is still a hegemon and India is still a middle power—the former’s self-interests are global in nature, while the latter’s are regional.


What should India do?

  • India needs to be cautious and should not put all eggs in one basket.
  • India needs to make the US understand that there is a great possibility that what the US wants from India in return of the favors which the US could grant India may not be enough for India to align completely.
  • In a multilateral framework, over-reliance towards a superpower can prove costly. An aspirational power like India, which wants to create its own influence in the international system, needs to choose a middle path and put its self-interest over anyone else’s.

Conclusion

Both India and the US need to make each other understand about their self-interests as well as their limitations in order to strengthen their diplomatic relations.


 

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