As Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets US President Donald Trump for the first time since securing his second term, the dynamics of the US-India relationship take centre stage once again.
Over the years, the partnership between the world's two largest democracies has grown significantly, spanning strategic defence, trade, technology, and regional security. While the Trump administration's previous tenure saw closer cooperation in countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific and expanding economic ties, certain challenges—such as immigration policies and trade disputes—remained points of contention.
In a conversation with Dr Ramesh Kanneganti, Founder and Executive Director at Centre for Human Security Studies (CHSS), we explore the evolution of US-India relations under Trump’s leadership, and how India navigates its strategic position, especially in the context of its shared border with China. With growing geopolitical shifts and economic realignments, what lies ahead for this crucial partnership? Here's what he has to say.
How do you assess the US-India relationship under Trump's leadership compared to his previous presidency, and how do you see it evolving in the current context?
The U.S.-India relationship under Trump's leadership saw significant convergences, particularly in areas such as democracy, strategic defence, and trade. Both countries share common values, including constitutionalism, respect for minorities, and a commitment to democratic governance without military rule.
On the strategic front, the Indo-Pacific framework brought the U.S., India, Australia, and Japan together to counter China’s growing influence. Post-COVID-19, the relationship strengthened further, highlighting the role of democratic alliances in shaping global development narratives. Key sectors such as IT, pharmaceuticals, defence, and science and technology have been major areas of collaboration, with trade exceeding $200 billion.
Under Trump, immigration policies and executive orders, including those affecting visas (F1, H-1B, and L1), created some concerns in India. However, India's leadership under Prime Minister Modi has maintained a positive outlook, focusing on negotiations to protect Indian interests in the US.
Looking ahead, emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, will be a crucial area of cooperation. India, as a leader of the Global South, seeks to bridge the gap between the developed and developing world, and its partnership with the U.S. can enhance this role.
While there are divergences, such as intellectual property rights and regional security concerns, particularly regarding Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, both nations have the diplomatic understanding to navigate these issues. With strong leadership on both sides, the relationship is expected to evolve positively, reinforcing economic and strategic ties.
Do you think India is at a disadvantage compared to other countries due to its shared border with China and the direct consequences of China's actions? Should India take a more aggressive stance in urging its partners to respond to China?
Yeah, I think you’ve made a valid point. India must be very careful in its approach and should avoid unnecessarily antagonising either the United States or China. After all, while we can choose our friends, we cannot choose our neighbours. India has to coexist with its neighbours, which makes engagement with China essential.
We share a 3,488-kilometer land border with China, a significant stretch along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). However, China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific is a major concern for India.
Since you asked about the broader strategic picture, I strongly believe India must remain vigilant across five critical domains: maritime space, political space, cyberspace, the service sector, and the manufacturing sector. China is actively trying to expand its influence in all these areas, and India must respond strategically.
From the perspective of an Indian citizen and a policy thinker, I firmly believe that India must uphold its independent and autonomous foreign and defence policy. Strategic autonomy is crucial—India should not be pressured or dictated by any country, nor should it overly align with one power at the expense of its sovereignty.
India must define its own position in the global arena, neither completely aligning with the United States nor with China. Given the fundamental ideological differences—India being a democracy and China a communist regime—such alignment is unlikely anyway. However, India must ensure its decision-making remains sovereign and independent in strategic matters.
Furthermore, data sovereignty is increasingly critical in today's digital world, where the divide between the "digitally haves" and "have-nots" is growing. India must safeguard its digital assets and infrastructure to maintain true independence in the modern era.
About Dr Ramesh Kanneganti
Dr Ramesh Kanneganti is an academic, researcher, and policy expert specialising in international relations, security studies, and emerging technologies. He earned an MPhil and PhD from the prestigious School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). His research has focused on US-Israel strategic relations, Middle Eastern security, and global counterterrorism efforts.
During his academic journey, Dr Kanneganti was awarded multiple scholarships to study in Israel, where he explored trilateral security cooperation between the US, Israel, and India. He later worked closely with India’s current National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, as a research associate on counterterrorism at the International Foundation.
Recognising the need for research-driven policy solutions outside Delhi, he established the Centre for Human Security Studies (CHSS) in Hyderabad in 2013. The think tank focuses on human security, food and water security, cyber and maritime security, and the impact of AI and blockchain on vulnerable communities.
