We can make a list of interconnected strategic, economic, and geopolitical reasons for the importance of India to US interests. During the 21st century, with a change in the global power dynamics, this significance is increasing immensely.
Strategic Partnership
The US sees India as a key bulwark against China’s rising clout in Asia. The two countries have overlapping concerns about China’s territorial claims and trade practices. Against this backdrop, deepening defense cooperation between New Delhi and Washington has seen India both buy more US military equipment and take part in joint military exercises, such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with Japan and Australia.
Economic Relationship
And trade with India has grown exponentially: by 2023, the two countries were exchanging goods and services worth some $191 billion a year. American firms see India’s 1.4 billion people as a potential gold mine of consumers. With its large base of skilled software engineers, many US technology companies have built huge R&D centers in Indian cities such as Bangalore and Hyderabad.
Technology and Innovation
Every year India produces thousands of engineers, scientists, and technology experts. This human capital has catalyzed partnerships in sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and biotechnology. Indian-Americans represent one of the most successful immigrant communities in America and often build significant business and cultural bridges between the two countries.
Shared Democratic Values
The US and India — the oldest and largest democracies, respectively — share core values in their approach to democratic governance, even if their polities are not always in sync. That ideological convergence provides a starting point for partnership in an age when democratic institutions are under threat worldwide.
Regional Stability
India is central to stability in the whole of South Asia. Much greater has been the US-India cooperation on counterterrorism, maritime security in the Indian Ocean, and regional humanitarian assistance. India’s relationships with its neighbors — Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan — have a direct impact on US strategic interests in the region.
Global Challenges
The two countries are increasingly working together to tackle transnational challenges such as climate change, pandemic preparedness and energy security. India’s dedication to increasing renewable power generation supports US climate goals, and its pharmaceutical production capability was essential to efforts to combat COVID-19.”
Both countries view their partnership as vital in a complex 21st century geopolitical landscape, and the relationship continues to evolve. While there may be differences in specific policies from time to time, the underlying strategic congruence between the US and India is likely to deepen further in the years ahead.
