India-US Relations

How India-U. S relation evolved over the years?

India-U. S relations were at an all-time high during John F Kennedy and George W Bush administration:

John F Kennedy, in the 1960s:

• Kennedy was a firm supporter of India in positioning India as a democratic counterweight to a totalitarian China in Asia in the 1960s
• Even Kennedy had proposed an equivalent of a “Marshall Plan” for India funded by NATO allies and Japan to help India win the race against China.
• During his tenure, India received unprecedented economic assistance, and military aid during the 1962 Sino-India war
• Kennedy also played a role, in restraining President Ayub Khan of Pakistan from opening a second front against India during the Sino-Indian war
• The US-India relationship may have taken a different course during the difficult 1960s and 1970s had Kennedy not been assassinated in 1963, and Nehru not died in 1964.

George W Bush, in the 2000s

• He ensured the success of the nuclear deal between India and the United States. The agreement mainstreamed India’s nuclear programme.

Worst phase of India’s relations with the US was during Richard Nixon and Clinton administration

Richard Nixon in the 1970s:

• Nixon administration was well known for the pro-Pakistan tilt in the 1970s.
• During this period India departed from its Non-Aligned posture, signed the 1971 Indo-Soviet treaty as a response to the continuing US tilt towards Pakistan and the beginnings of a Washington-Beijing alliance

Clinton years in the 1990s:

• The Clinton years witnessed dip in India and the US bilateral relations.
• India was pressurised to “freeze, rollback and eliminate” its nuclear programme and to settle Kashmir dispute with Pakistan.
• The U.S administration, even questioned Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India.

American Presidents can make a real difference to bilateral ties, including on trade, on immigration policies, and larger strategic issues. The upcoming   US Presidential election (Biden vs. Trump) has enormous significance to India.