Since the beginning of the 21st century, the United States has consistently aimed to bolster India’s status as a global power.
Starting with the Bush Administration, a pivotal nuclear deal legitimized India’s civilian nuclear capabilities despite its un-sanctioned nuclear weapons program. The Obama era witnessed defence industrial cooperation; Trump shared sensitive intelligence and technology usually reserved for allies; and Biden transferred sophisticated fighter jet engine technology—fulfilling Bush’s promise to support India’s rise.
This shift in US policy reflected a post-Cold War realignment. The Indo-US rivalry faded after the Soviet Union’s collapse. India’s economic liberalization and the growing presence of Indian Americans in the US fostered mutual interdependence. Geopolitically, the rise of China and terrorism threats brought convergence. Washington saw a stronger India as a strategic asset for maintaining a liberal international order and counterbalancing China.
Despite growing US ties, India remains committed to strategic autonomy and multipolarity. Rooted in its colonial past and realist worldview, India resists hegemonic dominance, pursuing relations with diverse powers, including US adversaries like Russia and Iran, in an effort to create a less unipolar world.
India’s sustained growth since its 1991 reforms has yet to match China’s economic trajectory. In industrial output, technology and R&D, India lags. Its military superiority in South Asia is not overwhelming, facing a two-front threat from China and Pakistan. Domestically, the turn toward Hindu nationalism weakens democratic credentials and internal cohesion, risking India’s soft power and global appeal.
Long celebrated as the world’s largest democracy, India’s recent trajectory under the BJP raises concerns. The erosion of secular values and growing authoritarian tendencies threaten its liberal democratic framework. Policies marginalizing minorities and weakening institutions have increased polarization, potentially undermining social cohesion and external power projection.
Though India’s economy is growing at about 6.5%, it still falls short of China’s historic 9% average. China has turned economic gains into military modernization and global influence. While China now faces demographic decline and slowing growth, India’s advantages—such as a young workforce—are offset by poor infrastructure, limited exports and underdeveloped manufacturing. Even optimistic projections show India likely remaining economically and militarily behind China by mid-century.
India’s multipolar focus complicates ties with the US. While seeking support to counter China, India avoids formal alliances, which may frustrate Washington. This reluctance could hinder efforts to balance China, especially in the Indo-Pacific. India’s active role in BRICS and SCO—despite their anti-Western leanings—reflects a drive to diversify partnerships, but may clash with US interests.
If India continues on an illiberal path, the shared democratic values that once underpinned ties may erode, leaving only transactional cooperation. Domestic polarization, religious nationalism and regional inequality may strain civil-military relations, weaken regional influence and invite external manipulation.
India’s ambition to be an independent pole in a multipolar world is admirable—but without deeper global integration and liberal democratic governance, it risks isolation: strong in numbers, yet weak in leverage.
—The writer regularly contributes to the national press.
(akramzaheer86@yahoo.com)
