The evolution of American-Indian relations in 1947-2017

The article covers the evolution of the US-Indian relations in 1947-2017. After gaining independence, India adopted non-alignment policy which made the US consider it an unreliable partner. However, the US needed partners for military and political cooperation in Asia badly after China became a communist country. In the 1950s, the US found such a strategic partner. It was Pakistan that participated a lot in establishing such military blocs in Asia as South-East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) and Central Treaty Organization (CENTO). The development of the US relations with Pakistan made India turn to cooperation with the USSR. In addition, the US neither supported India in the Kashmir conflict nor acknowledged the communist China, which made the development of the US-India relations even less possible. However, having understood the prospects of complete losing India out of its sphere of influence, the US devised economic aid programme for India as well as agreed for possible military aid against China in Kashmir during the J.F. Kennedy presidency. However, after the death of both J.F. Kennedy and J. Nehru, the US-India relations started to worsen. The US preferred to develop cooperation with China that was an Indian rival for the north-eastern part of Kashmir. In addition, the US did not support India in its clash with Pakistan in 1971, nor did they approve the Indian nuclear test in 1974. Indian reluctance to give up its nuclear programme caused worsening of the US-Indian relations in the 1970s-1980s. Moreover, the Bho-pal tragedy in 1984 when the gas leak incident at the subsidiary of an American company caused death and injure of several thousand Indian citizens harmed the relations between the two countries. After the end of the Cold War, India sought for improving its relations with the US both in economic and military issues. India's economic growth provoked American business interest in cooperation. In addition, military cooperation between the two countries developed. The nuclear weapon test held by India in 1998 harmed the US-Indian relations, because the US promoted the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. However, very soon the US continued developing its trade, science and technology cooperation with India. The 9/11 events and the start of the global war on terror made further military cooperation between the two countries possible. Growth of energy and nuclear cooperation between the two countries made cooperation with India more beneficial for the US than interaction with Pakistan. However, because of the position China holds in Asia and the US foreign policy strategy, India still abstains from claiming the leadership position in Asia. In general, the US-Indian relations within 70 years were determined by nuclear and regional security issues as well as the Kashmir conflict and the position of China in Asia. Moreover, these factors may influence the US-India relations in future, though to a lesser extent.

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