President Trump's petulance and increasing unpredictability is casting a shadow on US relations with both allies and partners, including India. EPISODE #230
A topical subject as usual Anil. If one analyses the Indo US relations historically, then the following highlights emerge to my mind - US sided with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue but supported India during the Chinese aggression of 1962. All through the cold War and Russian occupation of Afghanistan, they armed Pakistan both during the 1965 and 1971 war. It is only after 9/11 that terrorism as an international threat was recognized and India was being heard seriously in international platforms. On the contrary Russia has always been a dependable ally. India choosing the Russian missile defense system over the more expensive American system was a prudent decisions, although India had been threatened by sanctions, even at that time. India purchasing Russian oil and even exporting it has been an obstacle in the relations with both US and European countries. The final act of enraging Trump, was when PM Modi, on his return from the US, placed an order with Rafael and spurned the offer of fighter jets from the US. Further, the oil purchase from Russia, continued. The US has been an unreliable supplier of defense equipment. The engines, for 175 Tejas fighter jets to be manufactured by HAL, are pending delivery since the last 2 years, placed on GE US. Technically Russian collaboration for projects like Brahmos missiles, have greatly benefitted India in it's defense capabilities. Trump's behavior is more transactional than collaborative like with an ally. It is clear that India is the sacrificial pawn that US would like to use against China. Russia is trying to pave the way for an Indo China understanding. It is US that has to climb down to shake hands with India. Thank you Anil for sharing a wonderful write up.
Thank you for your detailed thoughts. Indeed, this is a wonderful summary of India-US relations. To the credit of both countries, this is fairly new--started by PM Vajpayee. In that sense, given the history you detailed, there is considerable distrust. Also, the US state department is yet to fully come on board with the new thinking, besides wanting to keep Pakistan as a base they can use at will.
My guest in the upcoming episode on StratNews Global, Indrani Bagchi, shared some very interesting perspectives on the relationship. You must watch it.
Look forward to your continued participation and support.
A topical subject as usual Anil. If one analyses the Indo US relations historically, then the following highlights emerge to my mind - US sided with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue but supported India during the Chinese aggression of 1962. All through the cold War and Russian occupation of Afghanistan, they armed Pakistan both during the 1965 and 1971 war. It is only after 9/11 that terrorism as an international threat was recognized and India was being heard seriously in international platforms. On the contrary Russia has always been a dependable ally. India choosing the Russian missile defense system over the more expensive American system was a prudent decisions, although India had been threatened by sanctions, even at that time. India purchasing Russian oil and even exporting it has been an obstacle in the relations with both US and European countries. The final act of enraging Trump, was when PM Modi, on his return from the US, placed an order with Rafael and spurned the offer of fighter jets from the US. Further, the oil purchase from Russia, continued. The US has been an unreliable supplier of defense equipment. The engines, for 175 Tejas fighter jets to be manufactured by HAL, are pending delivery since the last 2 years, placed on GE US. Technically Russian collaboration for projects like Brahmos missiles, have greatly benefitted India in it's defense capabilities. Trump's behavior is more transactional than collaborative like with an ally. It is clear that India is the sacrificial pawn that US would like to use against China. Russia is trying to pave the way for an Indo China understanding. It is US that has to climb down to shake hands with India. Thank you Anil for sharing a wonderful write up.
Dear Gautam,
Thank you for your detailed thoughts. Indeed, this is a wonderful summary of India-US relations. To the credit of both countries, this is fairly new--started by PM Vajpayee. In that sense, given the history you detailed, there is considerable distrust. Also, the US state department is yet to fully come on board with the new thinking, besides wanting to keep Pakistan as a base they can use at will.
My guest in the upcoming episode on StratNews Global, Indrani Bagchi, shared some very interesting perspectives on the relationship. You must watch it.
Look forward to your continued participation and support.
Best
Anil