Question

Six positive points of India America relation

Answer 1

America’s interest in India was evident as early as 1942 when Roosevelt supported India’s independence movement. Though American contact at that time was minimal. Indian Foreign policy characterised by Non-Alignment, refrain from bloc politics, disarmament, anti-colonialism, world peace did not contribute to developing closeness with the USA after independence.Thus, the beginning of the relationship was shaky with series of disagreement on a wide range of issues like India opposed American act of establishing a military basis in Asia and particularly Indian ocean. India had reservations towards the containment policy which brought military aid to Pakistan. However, there were occasions of cooperation also for example- the Suez Canal crisis and the Laos neutralization. Economic relations were progressive where India received American aid. The USA also supported India during the border conflict with China in 1962. The power axis which developed after 1965 between China and Pakistan changed American equation towards India. India, on the other hand, continued to criticise American aggression in Vietnam. The bilateral relation further deteriorated with President Nixon’s rapprochement with PRC, the delays in shipment of Pl-480 and lack of long-term industrial investment in India. After the 1971 war, USA accepted India as a regional power.Economically an exception was made when USA sold ‘XMP 14’ supercomputers to India during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure. Lets look at what is this history of India-US relations and what might be the possible future of it.