After a grand state visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington, US President Joe Biden has emphasized the significance of the India-US partnership, considering it as one of the most influential alliances globally. Journalists Vikas Pandey and Soutik Biswas from BBC delve into the factors that contribute to the visit’s potential in bolstering the bilateral relations between the two nations.
According to Mr. Biden, the relationship between the US and India, the world’s most populous country, is now stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever before, as expressed at the conclusion of Mr. Modi’s elaborate state visit to the White House.
This statement holds weight as it indicates a transformative shift in the relationship, highlighting its remarkable breadth and depth within a relatively short span of time, as noted by Michael Kugelman, a scholar at The Wilson Center, an American think-tank.
One of the primary drivers behind this transformation is Washington’s desire to forge a closer bond with India to serve as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Despite a landmark civilian nuclear deal in 2005, India-US ties did not live up to their full potential due to an Indian liability law passed three years later, which impeded the acquisition of reactors.
“During former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s second term as the leader of a coalition government, there was a waning commitment to the relationship. However, with Mr. Modi, there has been a surge of enthusiasm towards embracing the US. Additionally, Mr. Biden has provided a broad directive to ensure its success,” explains Seema Sirohi, author of Friends With Benefits: The India-US Story.