OPINION: The Indo-US partnership: A strategic alliance for the 21st century

In 1947, as India gained independence from Britain, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru declared that India had a “tryst with destiny.” Today, the United States and India share a similar tryst — one that could define global stability and progress in the 21st century. As the world’s oldest and largest democracies, the two nations are bound by shared values and strategic interests that outweigh minor disagreements over issues like trade or immigration.

India is on track to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2050, according to projections from PwC and Goldman Sachs, with its GDP expected to surpass $38 trillion in purchasing power parity terms. The U.S. cannot afford to overlook this economic powerhouse, especially as both nations face common global challenges: climate change, terrorism and the stability of the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-U.S. partnership is uniquely positioned to address these issues through collaboration, leveraging their democratic principles and mutual interests.

Technological innovation is another pillar of this alliance. The U.S. and India are leaders in fields like space exploration, artificial intelligence and health care. For instance, NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) have collaborated on missions like the NISAR satellite, set to launch in 2025, which will monitor climate change impacts. In health care, Indian pharmaceutical companies supply more than 40% of the U.S.’s generic drugs, while American tech firms like Google and Microsoft are investing heavily in India’s digital economy. This synergy promises to drive global progress, setting a model for international cooperation.

A key driver of this partnership is the shared concern over China’s growing assertiveness. Since the 1962 Sino-Indian War, tensions along the India-China border have escalated, particularly under Xi Jinping’s leadership. High-profile clashes in 2020 in the Galwan Valley resulted in casualties on both sides, and China’s aggressive infrastructure development along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) continues to provoke India. The U.S. has taken note, as evidenced by the renaming of its Pacific Command to U.S. Indo- Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) in 2018, signaling the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean region. This convergence of interests has strengthened Indo-U.S. ties, particularly through the Quad — a strategic dialogue involving the U.S., India, Japan and Australia. The Quad has expanded cooperation, conducting joint military exercises like Malabar and collaborating on initiatives like vaccine distribution and maritime security. India’s foreign policy of “multi-alignment” adds nuance to this partnership.

India maintains constructive relationships with other powers, such as Russia, to balance its strategic interests. For example, India’s $5.4 billion S-400 missile defense deal with Russia in 2018, despite U.S. objections, reflects this approach. India argues that its ties with Russia can prevent a deeper Sino-Russian alliance, a perspective gaining traction in Washington. While some U.S. policymakers worry about India’s reluctance to fully align with Western positions — such as its abstention on United Nations votes condemning Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine — India’s growing concerns about China are likely to draw it closer to the U.S. and its Indo-Pacific allies over time. India’s role in the BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) further underscores its strategic value. With the bloc expanding to include nations like Egypt and Iran in 2024, BRICS represents well over 40% of the world’s population and a growing share of global GDP. For the U.S., which has limited direct influence over most BRICS members, India serves as a vital bridge, enhancing American engagement with these emerging economies.

However, the partnership is not without challenges. India grapples with internal issues, notably widespread corruption, which the 2023 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index ranks at 93 out of 180 countries. This pervasive issue hampers India’s development, affecting everything from infrastructure projects to public services. While the U.S. often critiques India on governance, it must also reflect on its own challenges, such as political polarization and economic inequality, to maintain credibility as a global leader.

Looking ahead, the Indo-U.S. partnership can flourish by deepening people-to-people ties and strategic initiatives. The Indian diaspora in the U.S., numbering over 5 million, plays a key role, contributing to sectors like technology and medicine. Educational exchanges, such as the 350,000 Indian students studying in the U.S. in 2023, (the largest number of foreign students) further strengthen these bonds. By focusing on shared goals — economic growth, security and sustainability — the U.S. and India can build a resilient alliance that shapes a more stable world. The Indo-U.S. relationship, rooted in democracy and a shared vision for the future, is poised to become a cornerstone of 21st-century global diplomacy. As both nations navigate the complexities of a multipolar world, their collaboration will be instrumental in addressing global challenges and fostering mutual prosperity.