[Answered] Analyse various area of convergence where India and the U.S. can work closely in reshaping the global order. How both countries can ensure better coordination among these areas of convergence?

At present, India and the US share an extensive cultural, strategic, military, and economic relationship. After the decades of trust deficit which have plagued the relationship between India and the US, relations has achieved new heights and deepness. There are various areas of convergence that provide opportunities for both the nations to work together for a common goal.

Areas of convergence in India-US relations:

1. Balancing the rise of revisionist China: US considers India to be a chief security provider to counter the rise of China in the Indo-Pacific. Chinese adventurism in the South China Sea gave momentum to the formation of the Quadrilateral grouping between India, USA, Japan and Australia. Thus provide opportunity for twin nations to work together.
2. Terrorism: US policies are aligned with India’s strong campaign against global terrorism. Designating Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist by UNSC signifies a new level of diplomatic cooperation between India and the USA. Thus, counter-terrorism is a major area of convergence.
3. Defence cooperation: Aggregate worth of defence acquisition from US has crossed over $13 billion. Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) for co-production and co-development of weapon systems and platforms. New defence agreements like Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), etc. Hence, cooperation with the US is in India’s strategic interests. However, there are certain contentious issues between India and the US, which forces India to look beyond US. For example:
4. Energy Security: US sanctions on Iran which led India to stop oil imports from Iran threatening India‘s energy security and economic stability. Rising energy demand in India can only be fulfilled if it is conveyed to USA about the same so that both nations work together without jeopardising India’s interests.
5. Bilateral trade: Bilateral trade between both the countries is increased. It was fostered by closer ties between the Indian and American industries especially in the Information and communications technology (ICT), engineering and medical sectors. It is important for both the nations to work together. USA can help India to rise and take place of China in the view of ongoing India-US trade war.

Issues between India-US relations:

1. Trade: Recently India and US confronted each other regarding tariffs and protectionist policies. US has continuously accused India of high tariffs and India have accused USA of restriction to US markets and high tariffs on Indian products.
2. Intellectual Property Rights: US has continuously criticised India for its IPR policies. It has accused India of acting against Intellectual properties of major companies especially pharmaceutical over generic drugs.
3. Continuous support to Pakistan: Although US has reduced support to Pakistan, it has still provided monetary support to Pakistan. Major support by US is due to Afghanistan. In February 2016, the Obama administration notified the US Congress that it intended to provide Pakistan eight nuclear-capable F-16 fighters and assorted military goods including eight despite strong reservations from US lawmakers regarding the transfer of any nuclear weapons capable platforms to Pakistan.
4. Relations with Russia: US is all time rival of Russia. While India is all time friend of Russia. Russia has always supported India in international platform. It helped India to develop its defence capabilities. In 2018, India inked the historic agreement worth with Russia to procure four S-400 surface-to-air missile defence system, the most powerful missile defence system in the world ignoring America’s CAATSA act. The U.S. threatened India with sanctions over India’s decision to buy the S-400 missile defence system from Russia.
5. Relations with Iran: US has put sanctions on Iran due to its nuclear development. India has strategic interest in Iran to buy oil. India has continuously bought oil from Iran despite of US sanctions on Iran. The United States threatened India with sanctions over India’s decision to buy oil from Iran. But recently it exempted India from sanctions that allowed India to buy oil from Iran.

Way forward:

1. India and USA should work together to achieve growth and prosperity of both the nations.
2. Diplomatic efforts should be made frequently to resolve pending issues bilaterally.
3. It is important for both the nations to understand the aim and aspirations of each other.
4. People to people contact must be increased in order to strengthen bilateral relations.

Recognising India as a key to its strategic interests, the United States has sought to strengthen its relationship with India. The two countries are the world’s largest democracies, and both are committed to political freedom protected by representative government. The US and India have a common interest in the free flow of commerce and resources, including through the vital sea lanes of the Indian Ocean. In recent years, India and US relations are deepened.