INDO US RELATIONS

INTRO

India and the US are the two most important democratic courtiers in the world. The US is the oldest
modern democratic country whereas India is the largest democratic country in the modern world
and any sort of positive cooperation between the two great democracies is bound to create a new
world order and balance promising peace and tranquility especially in all volatile South China Sea
and Asia-pacific region. It will also contribute in maintaining peace throughout the world.

India-U.S. bilateral relations have developed into a "global strategic partnership", based on shared
democratic values and increasing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and global issues.
The emphasis placed by the Government in India on development and good governance has created
opportunity to reinvigorate bilateral ties and enhance cooperation under the motto ---
“ChaleinSaathSaath: Forward Together We Go”, and "SanjhaPrayas, Sab ka Vikas" (Shared Effort,
Progress for All) adopted during the first two summits of Prime Minister Modi and President Obama
in September 2014 and January 2015 respectively. The summit level joint statement issued in June
2016 called the India-U.S. relationship an “Enduring Global Partners in the 21st Century”. Regular
exchange of high-level political visits has provided sustained momentum to bilateral cooperation,
while the wide-ranging and ever-expanding dialogue architecture has established a long-term
framework for India-U.S. engagement. Today, the India-U.S. bilateral cooperation is broad-based and
multi-sectoral, covering trade and investment, defence and security, education, science and
technology, cyber security, high-technology, civil nuclear energy, space technology and applications,
clean energy, environment, agriculture and health. Vibrant people-to-people interaction and support
across the political spectrum in both countries nurture our bilateral relationship.

S GANGULY 251

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

COLD WAR

PHASES

indo American relations Phases

1. Beginning with Misperception and contradictions (1947-1954)

After the second world war USA emerged a as superpower military power came through whereas
india as a newly independent state gave utmost attention to nation building establish itself as an
independent country and on the other hand it was giving utmost attention to colonialism and
imperialism

In the 1950s cold war started to influence international politics. USA established bilateral and
multilateral security and economic arrangements with the countries of Western Europe and and asia

The US policy makers introduced a one point common programme- single targeted
The one point common programme was based on the communist ideology in the world, it created a
situation of rivalry and competition with communism based on soviet union

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and marshal plan are the 2 instruments that were created
to minimize soviet influence in this area. On the one hand India openly affirmed its faith in the policy
of non-alignment and started to think about pan Asiatic society

2 Asian conferences were held with the direct Indian initiatives, it created the serious strategic
concerning mind of US policy makers. The consolidation of the soviet power combined with this pan
Asiatic tendency it has created a number of doubts between the 2 countries and hampered their
initial relations.

America had not granted recognition to maos leadership instead it stood strongly in favour of
cheng’s government, India had not only recognised peoples republic of china but also supported its
state as a member of UNO. It created some strain the mind of US leadership and hampered their
bilateral ties.

2. Co-operation and firm dissent (1955-1971)

It talked of all those multiple characteristics which are present on the international platform and it
also talked of multiple and diverse parameters which are present, not only this but this particular
phase became a medium of holding or expressing the opinions where you find that things are
moving in a particular way and at certain places we are not directly linked to it.

Post-independence phase, USA India tie up phase

Divided into 2 phases –

The first phase of this period reflected some kind of common understanding in their relation – firm
agreement in what they were doing. Indo American ties brought co-operation and voices of dissent
simultaneously but in spite of having all that we cannot say that the leadership of USA had shown
some maturity and understanding on various issues at this time. But there are some issues where
india and USA had firm declaration

Indo – American relations started to improve after 1955, by 1955 it was a period from where we
started mutual co-operation, consent, Dissent and we are trying to achieve some common goals at
the international platform because we as a country were establishing ourselves in the international
arena.

Reasons for improvement (1955)

1. The Soviet Union adopted the policy of peaceful co-existence and with this policy they
wanted to spread their relationship towards the third world countries, so for the first time
Soviet Union policies became flexible, USSR’s approach and attitude towards third world
countries became flexible. They also provided huge amount of money as economic aid to
these countries. On the other hand USA also wanted these countries in its sight in its
regional grouping. The latter also opened its treasures to mitigate social influence that is
why America took behavioural turning policies towards India.
 2. Chinas offensive act against India in 1962 changed strategic scenario in south Asia, any type
of vacuum in this region could not suit to American foreign policy. The latter could not leave
it to any other regional power to attain stronghold, it became a necessity to USA to re look
its policy towards India, USA had not only provided economic aid but also heavy weapons
during and after the war.
3. Personal likings and long relations of Nehru and Kennedy had also played the key role in the
betterment of US-India relations, for example- in the sino-indian war USA provided military
assistance without delay, it not only helped us emotionally and behaviourally but has also
helped us to achieve out military goals. Besides, President Kennedy also managed the
Pakistan leadership to withdraw army from Indian border and shift them to china’s border.
Now this relationship has brought about a drastic change in south Asian politics but it was
for a short period of the because after the assassination of president Kennedy his successor
Lyndon Baines Johnson took india with a very weak and cold soldier, the next phase of
indian-american relations were full of contradictions and distrust.

The second phase-

The indo-park war of 1965 once again gave a new direction to the emerging relations between India
and USA. The Tashkent treaty of 1971 put later in a situation of mere spectator US leadership felt a
situation of isolation in strategically important place in south Asia, India’s role in freedom of
Bangladesh added fuel in fire in ingrowing strategic scenario. In this phase china had started to also
grow creating a win-win situation for the US policy makers, they saw china as a new LA in on-going
cold war against Soviet Union. Further, strong relations with china has consolidated US position in
Asian continents strategically this emerging scenario has no place for India, with the active role of
Pakistan America was improving its relation in china in this phase. It created some kind of strategic
triangle among them. Besides, another triangular grouping was also emerging in the shape of Peking
Tokyo Washington collaboration. Both these triangles had direct bearings on India’s position in the
regional spectrum.

The Indian Ocean had emerged as a new battlefield between 2 superpowers during the cold war. US
established its military based camp and also positioned its navels submarine (Polaris A3), The soviet
union also entered in this strategic field. India responded firmly and opposed this type of hostile
activity at every international platform, this triggered rupture in bilateral India-US relations. India
and USA also adopted diverse features and diverse ways on the issues of non-proliferation treaty,
India denied signing it due to its non-universal nature and wants a behavioural solution of its
reservations regarding this treaty.

Regional politics also influenced these bilateral ties between India and America, the former always
remained a great advocate of Arab countries and the latter firmly stood behind Israel. In south Asia
USA also remained involved in Vietnam War for a long time, India took a clear stance of integration
of both north and South Vietnam, US strategic took it seriously.

India and USSR signed the 20 year treaty of friendship and co-operation treaty in 1971, it brought
the former very close to the communist world. This created suspicion in the minds of US policy
makers, the issue of Bangladesh had also been a cause of concern between the two. Pakistani
government and army had ignored the local people grievances in East Pakistan, they used forces to
mitigate these demands a huge quantity of people crossed the border to take asylum in India. It
created a politico and economic burden for India.

When the war broke out USA deployed naval warheads in Bay of Bengal. In UNO also America took
an anti-Indian stance and wanted to use its force against India but due to soviet veto power any type
of US sanction or offensive activities could not take place. All these issues became a part to create a
vacuum in bilateral issues.

3. Changing equations and contradictions (1972-1979)

Various activities were going on in this period, India had emerged as an important power in south
asia after the Shimla agreement and indo-soviet treaty, USA transformed its policies towards china
and improved its ties. President Richard Milhous Nixon declared American policy towards asia in
which a better relationship with all the main stakeholders in this continent was the main feature.

All these changing parameters had direct ramification on India and American bilateral ties. They
latter provided financial aid by enacting PL480 rule of economic policy to India. Foreign secretary
formed for better co-operation in the field of economic trade – science, technology, education and
cultural spheres, but the picture was not as bright as it looked like, there were also many issues of
the contrary approach.

President Nixon’s view regarding india in shanghai declaration (feb 28 1972) has triggered a serious
dissent in any other point of view. Besides, the military aid to Pakistan the issue of increasing
intervention in Indian Ocean was also of key concern. India’s atomic nuclear test of pokhran and in
retaliation American denial of fuel export for tarapur thermal power were key impediments in the
way of better bilateral ties in both the counties.

4. Change and co-operation (1980-1991)

Firstly, This particular period had significantly moulded itself in a form of a change, a change which
was certain which had to happen, a change which one can see on the international platform, a
change where you feel like that India as a country is much more mature and is able to try to take big
decisions on its own.

Secondly, we can also see the role played by different neighbours’ ours and how we were trying to
deal with our internal disturbances and international disturbances at the same time.

This phase witnessed a bright picture, it witnessed a clear image of India as a country. Bright picture
– for example- both the countries jointly created a proper environment, they tried to establish a kind
of a suitable environment which was suitable for both the countries for some kind of concrete
dialogues- dialogue is a kind of discussion over establishing new ties, where the representatives of
the countries sat together and discussed on those common parameters/features which were
available and were of great concern for the country.

In this period we tried to experience a bright picture for India and America both because we tried to
create a proper environment for concrete dialogue including the formalisation of institutions-
institutions must be formalised they should be having a very analytical opinion, institutions must be
clear in its agenda and they must know how to move ahead.
So well find that these kind of changes gave a very certain picture of India as a country, not only this
we also started interaction on the global platform and we also tried to settle our secondary issues –
the kind of disturbances that arose from the past.

Along with these concerns we started having Direct investment and joint industries, transfer of
technology was taking place in both defence production and industrial development were the
highlights of this stage- of this bilateral US-Indo ties.

Soviet intervention in Afghanistan had changed the international spectrum in this entire region. US
policy has also changed its gear and had also tried to improve its relations with other adjoining
countries, although their utmost attention was on china and Pakistan. Yet, it could not ignore India
as a country for strategic balance. On the other side India also wanted to show some distance from
USSR, and ultimately desired some space in political arena, for example- Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi felt some type of isolation from soviet relationship in previous non-congress government and
hence tried to settle India’s position as non-alignment. She not only wanted to change its position in
third world country but also in the western world that’s why she changed her approach and made
her distance with USSR.

Economic needs also influenced this stage. India started economic modernisation in the early
decades of 1980s, it required huge financial aid, technology and trade initiatives, all these conditions
made India to open channels to US. The sudden emergence of Rajiv Gandhi in Indian politics was the
important change in this direction. He belonged to the post-independence generation and had a
scientific bent of mind to bring India into the 21 st century, he supported the use of latest technology
and modernisation in every aspect of life he was a firm supporter of better ties with USA. This
particular outlook of Indian leadership opened the way of closed bilateral ties with USA.

The changing relations of 2 superpowers and the recall of soviet of army had decreased the cold war
tensions in the political sphere, it was a direct bearing on the international politics. India got a sigh of
relief as it could follow more objective based policies – sudden change in international politics
compelled USA to change its policy towards India. US foreign policy has been revolving around the
containment of the spread of communist ideology during the Second World War period. Soviet
intervention in Afghanistan made the situation more critical, USA was eager to contain this ideology
in Asia in general and south Asia in particular that is why it tried hard to take India from soviet camp.

China also came to the front with its economy and strategic capabilities in world politics, it made the
US policy thinkers to re-think in south Asian politics. They tried to bring both India and Pakistan in
the same basket to balance china’s emergence.

India’s leadership started the economic and political transformation at domestic as well as external
forefront in the decade of 1980s. It was impossible for the country like America to ignore the
prospects that India was providing. India provided a lot of prospects to America because it was trying
to develop as a country on economic grounds on economic modernisations, it talked of economic
development, so it has in one way or another tried to focus on the roles that were played by India as
a country. Various documents notified by white house concluded these arguments. Both the
countries formulated comprehensive policies to explore the possibilities in all economic fronts.
Top leadership of both the countries visited each other, from India’s side Indira Gandhi and Rajiv
Gandhi and defence minister KC pant were the main dignitaries to visit America and vice president
George W bush and 2 foreign secretaries were on the reciprocal visitors in this list. Besides, military
level co-operation, transformation of technology, export of fighter planes and balance of trade in
favour of India reflect India’s emergence in the US foreign policy.

Some irritants –

1. indo-pak relations - Pakistan’s reflection and its attitude towards Kashmir

5. Co-operation and sharp differences (1992-1999)

This particular phase of the Indo-US ties was influenced by the Changing international dynamic-there
was the sudden demise of USSR and the end of the cold war, economic issues became more
important than political issues, economic liberalisation and economic development were started to
being discussed at the global level (1992 period of LPG). Globalisation has made traditional issues
and their means irrelevant, all the countries had transformed their outlook at the foreign policy
front. India also restructured its policy in the same scenario i.e. with one superpower – USA.

Change in international status – the way international politics was moving

1. More focus on economic policy and economic modernisation and economic liberalisation
rather than any other front.
2. The victory of democratic party in the US presidential elections
3. Opening of Indian economy
4. Need of technology, FDI and multi-national companies

These were the pressures that became the main determinants to fight the future force of action in
the bilateral ties.

President bill Clinton and Prime Minister Narsimha Rao were busy in economic transformation at the
domestic front, this international dynamic had prepared the platform for more comprehensive and
close ties with india and USA, but this prospective scenario could not be used by both the countries,
sharp differences came to forefront in their bilateral ties, political leadership shows some kind of
immaturity in handling situations- for example – the issue of Kashmir.

The issue of Kashmir has always been remaining a core impediment in indo-US relations. US
leadership has shown improper gesture from time to time, President Clinton’s comparison of
Kashmir with Somalia had increased the suspicion between 2 countries. The remarks of deputy
secretary of the USA john R. mallet and raphel towards Kashmir had made the situation more critical
from the Indian point of view. This was a great setback for continuity in bilateral ties.

Nuclear disarmament had also proved as an issue of contention in these days between India and
America and also the administration of both the countries, India denial to sign PTBT and NPT for
indefinite time had raised the eyebrows of US policy makers towards India. US roll on terrorism was
also not acceptable to india as a former adopted dual parameters to negate this problem, US policy
regarding cross-border terrorism in Kashmir and the Bombay bomb-blast had shown a different
attitude, while on the same line it declared Libya as a terrorist country . This scenario gave a dent on
the cordial ties.

The indo-US relations completely changed as India conducted 5 atomic tests in pokhran on 11 th and
13th of May 1998 and this particular situation made the entire picture more critical at the
international level. US administration imposed sections against india in the main sections where we
were affected as a country – foreign aid from USA, military co-operation, missile programme, atomic
energy, technology and research and there was a ban on collaboration with Indian companies and so
on and so forth. This situation created havoc in the relations of India and USA.

6. Close co-operation and multi-faced interaction (2000 onwards)

This phase is particularly closed co-operation and multi-faceted interaction. The beginning has
brought a laurel in indo-US relations. We tried to establish a healthy relationship with America as it
became a superpower, we tried to achieve those goals which others considered wrong but for india
they were right. India was in the process of establishing all those bi-lateral ties in relation to
industries, economy, and all the parameters. The bilateral relations related MOUs proved to be very
fruitful and the documentation shows that America always said that india was working as a country
on certain fundamental figures including peace, co-operation, freedom and democracy and how
things were getting smooth between 2 countries was a matter of great concern.

The 9/11 terrorist attack on the world trade centre had shocked the entire world because the only
superpower of the world felt wounded of this complicated problem for the first time, this made
America re-think about its strategies towards terrorism, it consolidated India’s position regarding
terrorism, india already declared that no one can differentiate terrorism on the basis of caste,
religion and nationality, it should be tackled at every step. India was among the first country to
declare its full support in the fight against terrorism, this positive gesture of india went on a very
positive note and resulted into reciprocal visits of the representatives of both the countries. From
Indian side foreign minister jaswant singh, NSA brijesh Mishra, defence Minister George Fernandez,
home minister lal Krishna advani and prime minster atal bihari Vajpayee visited immediately after
the terror attack. From America’s side foreign secretary Colin Powell, defence secretary Donald
Rumsfeld visited India to soothen the situation. Bill Clinton visited india in march 2000, he talked
about various cultural ties that can happen. Visit of the president showed the changing attitude
towards india and vice-versa.

Main factors for the U-turn of America with its relations with india –

1. The danger of terrorist organisation al-Qaeda

These were the reasons for the shift in the US policies and tried to look for better understanding, the
results of this change tell the entire picture.

In thus period of bilateral ties both sides showed common understanding on various issues-the 9/11
terrorist attack on the world trade centre had shocked the entire world it brought all the victim
countries together in the fight against international terrorism, only superpower of the world felt
wounded for the first time. This made America re think its strategy towards terrorism. India was
among the first country to provide its full support in the fight against terrorism. In Afghanistan’s war
against Taliban India had provided all intelligence information to USA.

Peaceful uses of atomic energy deal between India and USA had uplifted the bilateral ties very high.
During the visit of President George bush to India in march 2006 prime minister manmohan singh
released a joint statement on this issue and finally on 1 st august 2007 both countries finalised the
famous 123 agreement. Now, this treaty had not only strengthen the indo-US ties but also made
india very comfortable to mitigate emergency energy demand, for example- during Obama regime
the bilateral relation had shown some stagnation in the beginning but with the visit of PM
manmohan singh in 2009 the relation between both the countries came back on the right track and
showed continuity. In his second term president Obama visited India twice and tried to balance the
relationships in right direction.

In the modi government india and US ties had shown greater improvements of all the time, PM
narendra modi visited America in 2014 and this a particular visit had proved to be fruitful in the
bilateral ties. Reciprocal visit of president Barack Obama on republic day ceremony got a great
success in improving on-going relations, various deals and treaty were signed, In the economic,
scientific, defence and atomic energy sectors.

Approach that was adopted were based on 21 st century to develop good ties was a joint decision,
both the president of USA and PM of india had a meeting in developing international ties, internal
growth and sustainable development.in international politics for example, national interest have the
prime importance rest things are secondary, some issues presented themselves with contradictions
it is up to the leadership to mitigate them in a proper way.

There were many irritants that came into the forefront at this point of time

1. Outsourcing policy of Obama administration

These were various circumstances/conditions on which the tensions and irritants roped in.

FORGING A NEW RELATIONSHIP

S GANGULY