Do it yourself

The Indo-US relations have never been linear and secular like Indo-Russia (Indo-Soviet) relations. Moreover, the Indo-US relations have mostly been transactional and opportunistic; with very little connect on cultural and social level. Both countries have based their strategies on their respective abilities to exploit the available opportunities. In the past three decades, India has significantly gained from the shortages of highly skilled human resources in the US. We have also shared the gains (with other emerging economies) from the US strategy of relocating their manufacturing processes. The US has benefitted from selling technology, energy and defense equipment to India. Besides, India has been an attractive high growth potential opportunity for US capital. Evidently, the US administration now seeks to redefine this transactional relationship. The present strife in the Indo-US relations may therefore sustain much longer than what most of us would have expected a couple of mont...

Mr. Donald Trump has chosen to take some time before speaking with his Indian counterpart Mr. Narendra Modi. Trump has chosen to call the Chinese premier Xi Jinping, even before his inauguration. Prime Minister Modi has apparently sent a written congratulatory message to Trump, instead of calling him. This small pause in the top-level communication has triggered a debate about the shape of Indo-US relations in the near future. In my view, before drawing any conclusion from Trump’s pause, and writing obituaries of the Indo-US strategic partnership, we must study the evolution of Indo-US relationships. This relationship has evolved over the past 75 years. It is primarily based on mutual need and shared democratic values, and goes much beyond the personal equation of individual leaders. Prologue The foundation of Indo-US was laid during the 1949 visit of Prime Minister Nehru’s visit to the US and meeting with President Henry Truman. Nehru was welcomed by everyone he met during his multi w...