Sri Ram was not a neutral diplomat but a principled and virtuous character. He had strong convictions, displayed leadership, and actively pursued his goals. In an interview with Wall Street Journal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Some people say that we are neutral. But we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace. All countries should respect international law and the sovereignty of countries. Disputes should be resolved with diplomacy and dialogue, not war”.
Throughout the Ukraine-Russia war, the Modi Government has maintained a sense of fairness and balance in its relationship with the West and Russia, to the displeasure of the West.
Power of Geopolitics
With the recent State visit of Modi to the US, most in the West believe India is trying to take advantage of its strategic position due to current global geopolitics. They allege that by maintaining neutrality, India is accruing an edge in business and military relationships with the USA and Russia. Powerful nations have been exerting pressure on India to align with their interests. But India stayed its course. The USA has realised India’s leadership during these testing times and opened up to the Modi government. The affirmation of a close strategic partnership between the USA and India is historic.
The core interests of the USA and India converge in the Indo-pacific. Their combined regional presence here will contribute to bringing rules-based order in the region.
Despite protests by liberal lawmakers in the US, the Biden government laid out a red-carpet welcome for Narendra Modi. Biden administration believes that since India holds a significant position in geopolitics, the US can benefit with India on its side. India is a significant regional power, a nuclear power, maintains diplomatic and economic relations with countries across the globe, and is a member of various influential international organizations, and balances relationships with countries such as Russia, China, and Far and Middle East countries.
For the USA, India’s long-standing border dispute with China adds another tool to its competitive strategy to balance China’s power in the Indo-pacific region.
Challenges & Converging Interests
India is in a phase of long-term economic growth, digital transformation, infrastructure development, and demographic dividend. India faces challenges of income inequality, a significant informal economy, and security threats from the China-Pakistan axis, and it needs sustainable and renewable energy to transform into a developed economy. The US is going through economic recovery in a high-inflation environment while the issue of income inequality persists. It remains a global leader in technology and innovation, and there is a desire to address climate change and transition to sustainable practices. It is trying to protect its domestic industries, intellectual property, and national interests from threats emanating from China.
Despite different long-term goals, the core interests of the USA and India are converging in the Indo-pacific region. India’s strategic location provides proximity to China. The US brings its capabilities and presence to the broader Indo-Pacific region. Both countries’ combined regional presence will contribute to a comprehensive approach to bringing rules-based order in the region. Coordinated economic strategies between the US and
India could solve some of their internal struggles and provide a robust growth engine for the entire world.
There is an assumption in the skeptical international community that the US is recruiting India to go to war with China. If this is true, the US should prepare for a surprise. Suppose this strategic partnership transforms into a genuinely trusted relationship – in that case, India will hope to preemptively change the US’s aggressive tendencies to go to war with global powers that challenge it. Unless attacked, in its thousands of years of history, India has never gone to war as an independent country. In his address to the US Congress, PM Modi said, “The global order is based on the respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
New World Order
India envisions a new world order wherein she wants to assume leadership role in shaping international affairs, institutions, and norms. It wants its values of non-violence and the idea of the world as a family to significantly impact global decision-making. It yearns to become an economy that drives international trade, investment, and economic growth not only for itself and the rich countries but for all of the global south. India’s rich cultural heritage, diverse society, and soft power assets like yoga and Ayurveda would contribute to addressing global challenges. In this context, if the US supports India’s vision, it will also transform for the better of the world.
While it is challenging to predict if the US will embrace India’s vision or lead India into its sphere of influence, so far, the Biden administration has demonstrated that it is willing to listen to the voice of 1.4 billion people in the form of a very successful State visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States.
