India always had strained relations with the United States. There was a short period of friendship (1962-65) between the US and India during the presidentship of John F Kennedy. This was because this was the first time, Washington saw Delhi as a counterweight against China. The USA even supported India in the 1962 Indo-Sino war by providing Military and Economic support.
But everything was good till 1963 when American President John F Kennedy was assassinated. Relations started getting sore and the 1965 Indo-Pak war was like a final nail in the coffin. The US and UK supported Pakistan. After this, Indian interests started to incline towards Russia which was welcomed by Russia too.
Peace, Friendship and Cooperation Treaty
Delhi and Kremlin signed the Peace, Friendship and Cooperation Treaty in August 1971. This treaty promoted mutual strategic and military cooperation by both the giants for the next 25 years. This helped India in the war of 1971 when India entered the Bangladesh Liberation War on December 3 and Pakistan surrendered on December 16.
This was only possible because of the Soviets. The US and UK sent their navies to the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. As a result of the Treaty, the USSR sent its navy with destroyers, aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines. When Washington got to know about the incoming nukes, they called back their fleets to Madagascar and back to America and the UK.
India and USSR became the best friends but Washington was not happy. In May 1972, representatives of the USSR and USA held 2 rounds of conferences and signed the Basic Principles of Relations Treaty which aimed at stopping the production of Weapons of Mass Destruction. China and Pakistan were made a part of the treaty and India was left.
Years of Tension
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi said that Washington is trying to divide the world into not 2 but 3 blocks. The latest bloc being China. The US-China-USSR partnership was a sure red flag for New Delhi. India’s nuclear test in 1974 further escalated tensions and the USA banned sales of Nuclear material to India. However, India still did many nuclear tests even after the sanctions.
It may not be wrong to say that for the last 50 years, India’s policy towards the United States has been of caution. India opened up its economy and July 1991 and the USSR was dissolved in December 1991. It was after this that the US and India have been working towards enhancing their relations.
What’s the reason for this change in attitude towards India?
Indo-US relations started getting better since the last decade of the last century but they gained speed during Obama’s presidency. However, the pace was slow again until 2014. With the Congress out of power and the NDA government in power, the Indo US relations got a surge. Experts suggest various reasons for this American change in attitude towards India.
● The US considered the Indian Ocean to be a treasure of resources that would be very important in the future. This area also controls the highest maritime traffic and more than 50% of the global trade happens through this area. India is situated in a very strategic location for the US.
● China started to build a massive navy and has the world's best navy now. Its presence in the Indian Ocean was always a threat to the United States. This forced the US to rethink its policy towards India.
● India is a booming service and manufacturing sector which is very helpful to the US companies. Another reason is India’s global emergence of India as a global player and a world leader. India has been constantly enhancing its military, economic and nuclear capabilities.
● Another major reason is the Washington does not want a group of the 3 largest countries in Asia to form a Trio.
What’s Ahead?
The USA has always tried to sow bitter seeds between either China - India or Russia - China. While India has been strict with China, it has been supporting Russia in its actions in Ukraine and India is even now one of the largest buyers of Russian Crude.
While with the United States, India has tried to have good, formal and strategic relations. India has clearly shown the US many times that India is growing and the US is a key ally to India’s growth but the US cannot try to influence India. India is an emerging superpower and can make decisions for itself. The USA is a key ally of India in the economy and key strategic areas. However, the efforts Indian Diplomats and Foreign Ministry have put in to manage its relations with both the US and Russia without hurting anyone, must be appreciated.
JAI HIND!
