INDO-US TIES

Now, with a stable and strong government in New Delhi, world powers look to have better bilateral and strategic ties with India. The second term in office for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the shoulders of landmark victory no doubt would enhance bilateral relations. In this direction US President Donald Trump’s congratulatory message to Modi holds lot of warmth for India. And why not, American enterprises are looking forward to divert investments to India with the Asian continent emerging as a large consumer market for its automotives, armaments, petroleum products and many more. The United States and India have made enormous strides together. Some of the landmark steps along the way include the expansion of bilateral defence cooperation and combined military exercises, the historic civil nuclear deal, the nearly six-fold increase in US-India trade, the defence technology and trade initiative and the designation of India as a Major Defence Partner. Of late Indo-US relations have emerged stronger in the core sectors and the largets electoral victory for BJP under Narendra Modi’s leader has shown the world the power of democracy. The US, however, remains a difficult partner. It expects others to accept its foreign
policy choices, often driven by its own domestic compulsions and preferences. Following political fatigue with two decades of post-Cold War unilateral military
interventions, it has increasingly weaponised economic policies, variously sanctioning individuals, entities,
governments and countries.