India US relations - Secretary of State’s visit

A detailed insight into evolving Indo-US relations

 India US relations - Secretary of State’s visit

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• The story: The India-US relationship has evolved significantly over the past few years. Despite a change in regimes in both nations, the general trajectory has been upwards.
• Blinken comes to India: In his July '21 visit to India, the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken mentioned that actions by India and the US will shape the 21st century. Earlier, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar went to the US in May 2021. Also, both Blinken and Jaishankar had detailed conversations in the UK (at the G7 meeting) and Italy (at the G20 meeting).
• Points to note: The relationship spans a wide range of topics, but some are crucial and urgent.

1. Afghanistan - There is no military solution to the conflict, and that taking over the country by force would not help the Taliban gain the international recognition or legitimacy it desires, including the lifting of sanctions and travel bans against the Taliban leadership. India mentioned Pakistan was an exception to the consensus for a peaceful political settlement. An Afghanistan that did not respect the rights of its people, and an Afghanistan that committed atrocities against its own people would not be part of the global community.
2. Indo-Pacific - Both states share a vision of free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Both spoke of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific as part of the QUAD (Quadrilateral Framework) with Japan and Australia, and clarified that QUAD is not a military alliance at all.
3. Covid and vaccination - Both are still struggling with newer outbreaks! They discussed the Quad’s initiative to provide Indian-made Covid-vaccines in the Indo-Pacific region. The US announced a USD 25-million grant for India’s vaccine programme, and promised to strengthen vaccine supply chains to enhance production.
4. Climate change - Under the "US-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership" launched in April 2021, the two sides intend to launch a new climate action and finance mobilisation dialogue and relaunch the strategic clean energy partnership.

• What America thinks: Blinken termed the Indo-US relationship as one of the most important partnerships in the world. Both share a commitment to democratic values which is part of the bedrock of their relationship and reflective of India’s pluralistic society and history of harmony. Both believe in human dignity, in equality of opportunity, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion and belief.

1. Blinken eferred to the rising global threats to democracy and international freedoms and talked about democratic recession (Human Rights Issues in China), noting that it is vital for India and the US to continue to stand together in support of these ideals.
2. Inter­religious relations, media freedom, farmers' protests, love 'jihad’ violence and minority rights were part of the discussion that the US Secretary of State had with a group of people, including a representative of the Dalai Lama.

• What India thinks: India-US bilateral ties have enhanced to a level that enables the two nations to deal collaboratively with larger issues. Inia welcomes US’ strong commitment to strengthen the India-US strategic partnership that is anchored in shared democratic values and is a force for global good. It responded to the US concerns on the issues with a number of points, making it clear that the quest for a more perfect democracy applied to both the US and India. India’s policies of the last few years had been to right wrongs done historically, and that while freedoms are important, they should not be equated with the lack of governance”.
• Current state of ties: They span many domains like -

1. Defence - India and US inked important defence pacts in the last few years and also formalised the four nation alliance of QUAD. The alliance is seen as an important counter to China in the Indo-Pacific. The Malabar exercise in November 2020 portrayed a high point in Indo-US strategic ties, it was the first time in 13 years that all four countries of QUAD came together sending a strong message to China. India now has access to american bases from Djibouti in Africa to Guam in the Pacific. It can also access advanced communication technology used in US defence. India and the US have four foundational defence agreements: (i) Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Intelligence (BECA), (ii) General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), (iii) Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), and (iv) Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).
2. Trade - The previous US government ended India’s special trade status (GSP withdrawal) and also imposed several bans, India also retaliated with bans on 28 US products. Current US government has allowed all the bans by the previous government to expire.
3. Indians in America - There is a growing presence of Indian diaspora in all spheres in the US. For example the current Vice-President (Kamala Harris) of the US has a strong Indian connection. There are many Indian origin people holding strong leadership positions in the current US administration.
4. Covid-Cooperation - When the US was reeling under a deadly Covid wave in 2020, India rushed important medical supplies and eased export restrictions to help the country. Initially the US showed hesitancy in returning the favour when India needed it, however the US quickly changed its stance and rushed supplies to India in 2021.

• Summary: Bilateral trade can grow a lot especially on account of increasing anti-China sentiment in both the nations. The negotiation should focus on the resolution of various non-tariff barriers and other market access improvements as early as possible. To counter China in the maritime domain, India needs to fully engage with the US and other partners in the Indo-pacific region, in order to preserve the freedom of navigation and the rules-based order. There are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies, but only permanent interests. India must continue to pursue its foreign policy of strategic hedging.

 

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