India-US Relations Take a New Turn Amid Tensions

The relationship between India and the United States has long been a delicate balance of shared democratic values and occasional disagreements over national interests. Recent diplomatic developments, however, have sparked concerns in India about the trajectory of this partnership.

Indian officials are wary of US President Donald Trump’s recent geopolitical maneuvers, particularly his claim that he intervened to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan by threatening to sever trade ties with India. This assertion has provoked strong reactions in New Delhi, as India considers it an affront to its sovereignty and disconnected from reality.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have categorically denied Trump’s claims, stating that no such communication took place during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. They clarified that no US official raised bilateral trade issues during the period. While Trump may have pressured Pakistan to halt hostilities, India maintains that its focus has always been on stability and economic development, avoiding prolonged conflicts. Following a brutal attack by Pakistani militants on Indian tourists in Pehelgam, Kashmir, in April, India responded with “Operation Sindoor,” targeting nine known militant bases inside Pakistan through airstrikes. India emphasized that the operation was a retaliatory measure against those targeting innocent civilians, not an act of war. When Pakistan retaliated with indiscriminate attacks on Indian territory, India responded with precise strikes on 11 Pakistani airbases. Combined with possible US diplomatic pressure on Pakistan, these actions compelled Pakistan to propose a ceasefire. Indian officials have rejected Trump’s claim of single-handedly resolving the conflict, asserting India’s pride in its autonomy and dismissing suggestions of bowing to US threats. This is not the first instance of friction; in June, Trump hosted Pakistan’s military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, for lunch at the White House, excluding Pakistan’s civilian leadership. This move raised eyebrows in India, where both the government and opposition view Munir as a hardline Islamist. India’s concerns extend to the broader US stance, particularly on China. While Trump took a tough stance on China during his first term, his current approach appears inconsistent—imposing heavy tariffs on Chinese goods while expressing openness to visiting Beijing for trade talks. This unpredictability complicates India’s strategic calculations, especially as China’s influence grows in South Asia, from Bhutan to Sri Lanka, and its actions, including limiting Indian engineers’ access and restricting high-quality Chinese equipment, harm India’s industrial sectors. On July 30, Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods effective August 1, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian energy and military equipment, along with an additional 10% punitive tariff. This has raised fears that the US could use defense cooperation as leverage, much like trade. India’s past experiences, such as the US refusal to share GPS data during the 1999 Kargil War, have already pushed India toward self-reliance, including developing its own GPS system. While India is not severing ties with the US, it is prioritizing self-reliance, signaling a pragmatic, interest-driven partnership rather than an ideological one. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s July visit to Beijing hinted at India’s openness to engaging with China to counterbalance uncertainties with the US. India’s strategic autonomy allows it to navigate global alliances independently, unlike US allies like Japan or South Korea, which are bound by formal military agreements. India’s foreign policy, rooted in resilience, determination, and zero tolerance for terrorism, continues to guide its actions, as demonstrated by its strikes on Pakistan-based terrorist camps. While maintaining ties with the US, India remains cautious, aware that the partnership may already be on shaky ground.