The changing logic of the India-U.S. partnership
The article examines the shift in U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration, characterized by 'flexible realism' that prioritizes national interest over traditional alliances. It highlights how this approach impacts the India-U.S. partnership, moving away from shared values toward a transactional, strategic convergence driven by the rise of China.
Why it matters
This shift signals a fundamental change in global geopolitics, forcing India to recalibrate its diplomatic and economic strategy in a more competitive international environment.
The Trump administration’s latest tariffs on several trading partners, including India, are widely seen as another trade dispute. That interpretation misses the larger picture. Alongside growing demands for greater burden-sharing, tighter technology restrictions and a more reciprocal approach to international partnerships, the tariffs reflect a broader shift in American statecraft. Washington is increasingly judging partners and competitors through the lens of national interest rather than strategic convergence. The immediate impact will be felt in trade negotiations; the more enduring implications are strategic. They signal a changing American approach to alliances and partnerships with important implications for India.
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