India, US, and the art of pragmatic partnership

No illusions: India must engage Trump on its own terms

In the increasingly complex world of geopolitics, India must resist the temptation to react emotionally to leaders like Donald Trump, who has recently angered Indians.

Much of our disappointment arises from our mistaken notion about Trump and his closeness to Modi and India.

Yes, Trump has become more unpredictable than we had expected.

• Hasn’t he shown an unbelievably dramatic shift in policy towards Syria, Iran, Turkey, Gaza, and Qatar, while in discussion with the Gulf monarchies?
• And he equates India with Pakistan, claims credit for a cease-fire that never happened, and even proposes a dinner dialogue on Kashmir with Pakistan, a closed subject that is none of his business.

The outrage and exasperation in India against Trump are both real and understandable.

Two fundamental problems persist in the India-West relationship:

First, the West, including the US, remains largely ignorant of the India-Pakistan conflict, focusing only on the danger of an improbable nuclear war between the neighbors.

They don’t care about right and wrong, only stability, as they believe they need a terrorist state like Pakistan to handle many geopolitical issues.

Luckily, we have beaten Pakistan to a point where their defences are not the same they’ve been bragging about, and their nuclear bluff has been called too. No one can reverse these facts in the near future.

Pakistan actively lobbies its narrative, while India is only now starting diplomatic outreach through MPs to educate key countries. Hope this is not a one-time fix; it must be a continuous, institutionalized effort.

Second, the West is happy to co-opt India, but only as a junior partner, not as an equal at the high table. They’ll court India when convenient and ignore it when priorities shift.

India should exhibit quiet confidence in its own standing and agree to disagree with the US and the West and move on.

This approach actually suits India better. If the US had supported us now, they would expect ‘quid pro quo’ support on issues like Russia or China, only to abandon us later. We want to maintain our strategic independence on such issues.

India must learn the art of transactional relationships, applied with grace. We should maintain warm, friendly relations while staying firm on our core interests.

Let’s treat each issue independently, resolve what we can, and keep the big picture in mind. This is, in fact, exactly how Trump operates.

He is not bound by ego in the traditional sense and can easily switch his positions on certain issues. He has opinions, but he isn’t a doctrinaire, which creates room for India to navigate.

India can politely push back where needed while cooperating deeply where interests align. This flexibility is key to a mature partnership with the US and the West, in general.

Pakistan and China: India’s constant strategic challenge

Let’s not forget the basics: our real long-term adversaries are Pakistan and China. This reality won’t change for the foreseeable future.

China challenges our borders, economy, and regional influence. It harbors long-term ambitions to dominate Asia, often at others’ expense, esp ours.

Pakistan seeks to destabilize India through proxies and propaganda. It has little interest in its own growth and remains mired in insecurity.

China-Pakistan alliance is a strategic concern for India and even for the whole democratic world. China brings power, Pakistan brings terrorism, a dangerous mix.

India and the US: Not always aligned, but naturally allied

Despite occasional tilts towards Pakistan or China, Trump (and even American Democrats) sees India’s long-term value. China cannot be America’s long-term friend; they’re rivals in most ways.

No. 1 and No. 2 powers can’t stay friends for long, especially when the values, systems, and ambitions are fundamentally at odds.

India, by contrast, shares democratic values with the US and has no global domination plans.

We aren’t bound by military treaties with the US, and we prefer it that way. But we’re the most natural partner in technology, trade, global governance, and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The US can’t manufacture everything. India isn’t a natural competitor to the US and is not vying for the core manufacturing spaces it has in mind. That’s a major plus for sustainable cooperation.

We don’t have to be chums every day on every issue. What matters is that we stand by each other on major global issues and agree to disagree on the rest.

Disagreements on specific issues must not be allowed to harden into major disputes. They shouldn’t make us adversaries.

Trump’s recent posture: A view, not a verdict

Trump’s recent positions on remittances, iPhone production, and Pakistan are just that: his positions on issues. They’re tactical, not strategic declarations.

We don’t have to endorse or oppose them publicly. Let time and diplomacy do their work.

As long as we maintain good relations and stay alert, we’ll find opportunities. On other matters, let’s go our way, politely, confidently, and independently.

India-US trade is still modest but can grow exponentially. The $132 billion trade can move towards $500 billion if both sides stay focused. At worst, the growth may be more modest. We have nothing much to lose and everything to gain.

Trump respects strength and clarity, if delivered diplomatically. That’s why he actively seeks to do a deal with China, which he considers an adversary. He wants deals, not loyalty pledges, and once we understand it, we can work that way.

India must use this space wisely, steering clear of short-term noise. The goal is to reinforce core ties, not get distracted by rhetoric.

Focus on trade, technology, and high-value cooperation

India and the US can thrive together in high-value cooperation areas like:

• Supply chain diversification away from China
• Advanced technology partnerships in semiconductors, AI, clean energy, and space
• Defence manufacturing with Indian participation
• High-value trade agreements that create jobs and reduce friction on both sides
• Joint ventures like shale oil LCO refining, where India has expertise that the US lacks[1]

These aren’t favors, they are strategic win-win partnerships.

• India brings youth, talent, markets, and political stability.
• The US brings capital, technology, and global influence.
• Together, we can shape a balanced and prosperous trade arrangement.

What the Indian government needs, and deserves, is public support

India’s foreign policy has been pragmatic, balanced, and forward-looking. It has balanced its relations with the US, Russia, and China with rare skill.

But public overreaction can undo diplomacy. Social media outrage could get amplified and play into the hands of adversaries.

We must avoid emotional outbursts that can box our government into corners. IC-814 taught us what happens when public pressure derails a nation’s strategic plans.

Foreign policy demands internal consensus and external restraint. Let’s trust our diplomats and government to manage the process. We’ve not had a more sincere government in ages.

Conclusion: Calm, clear, and confident

India is rising as a democratic, responsible power. We must be guided by clarity and confidence, not emotion.

• Let Pakistan and China collaborate; it exposes their insecurities.
• Let the US flirt with others; we know our value.
• Let Trump say what he wants; we’ll respond with poise and purpose.

Mature partnerships rest on mutual interest, not constant validation.

Let’s play the long game. And let’s back our government to play it well.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

Reference:

[1] An Indo-US energy JV worth exploring – Feb 4, 2025, PGurus.com

For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.

The post India, US, and the art of pragmatic partnership appeared first on PGurus.