India and the US forge a new friendship

India PM Narendra Modi’s state visit to the US this week is being viewed with special significance in both Delhi and in Washington.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the US from June 21-24 shows that given the challenge of China in the Indo-Pacific, the US views India as a valuable geo-strategic partner.

The visit could deepen India-US collaboration in the Indo-Pacific by outlining the emerging contours of a sturdier structure of cooperation.

While the US may still be unhappy with India’s relations with Russia, the visit will also show whether pragmatism continues to prevail over India’s refusal to condemn the war in Ukraine and side-stepping sanctions by continuing to import Russian oil.

The Biden administration, however, seems to have bipartisan support for balancing the criticism of India’s record on human rights and the treatment of minorities with the  shared geo-strategic interests. This is reflected in inviting the Indian prime minister to address a joint session of the US Congress.

However, it remains to be seen whether during this high profile visit, the US would manage to nudge India towards a clearer position on the Ukraine War and on taking on China.