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Strengthening India-US Strategic Ties
Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States marked a significant moment in the evolving geopolitical landscape, particularly as President Donald Trump embarked on his second term in office.
Focus of the Discussions
- The relationship between the two leaders has been instrumental in advancing India-US ties, with a shared commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
- During Trump’s first tenure, India and the US made notable progress in enhancing collaboration in this vital region, driven in part by the growing challenges posed by China’s expanding influence.
- For the US, the Indo-Pacific has long been a focal point of its geopolitical and security framework.
- Meanwhile, India has increasingly prioritised the region as crucial to safeguarding its strategic interests.
- The PM’s visit reaffirmed Washington’s continued commitment to Indo-Pacific security in multiple ways.
- Firstly, despite pressing domestic and international concerns—including ongoing conflicts and immigration issues—the Trump administration prioritised bilateral meetings with key Indo-Pacific players, India and Japan.
- Secondly, the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting, held shortly after Trump’s inauguration, underscored a robust commitment to regional security.
- Thirdly, the escalating US-China rivalry remains a defining factor in shaping America’s foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific.
Evolving US-India Cooperation in the Indian Ocean
- Strong Partnership: While the joint statement reaffirmed a strong Indo-Pacific partnership, the US approach under Trump’s second administration may differ in its execution.
- A key theme likely to shape US policy will be its expanded expectations from allies and partners.
- Different Approaches: Within the Indo-Pacific, this approach may unfold differently across various regions.
- The Pacific theatre is expected to remain a zone of intense great-power competition, while the Indian Ocean may emerge as a secondary layer of regional security, focusing on connectivity, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Search and Rescue (SAR), and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations.
- ASIA: A crucial initiative emerging from the joint statement is the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA), designed to enhance industrial collaboration and co-production.
- This initiative aims to foster the development of advanced maritime security systems, including Artificial Intelligence-enabled counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and towed array sonars—low-frequency systems used in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and intelligence gathering.
- TRUST: Additionally, the US-India Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology (TRUST) initiative seeks to create a resilient and trustworthy supply chain for critical industries such as semiconductors, critical minerals, advanced materials, and pharmaceuticals.
Divergent Strategic Perspectives on the Indian Ocean
- Divergences: Despite significant progress in India-US security cooperation, strategic divergences persist regarding their respective approaches to the Indian Ocean.
- India perceives the Indian Ocean as central to its Indo-Pacific security strategy, whereas US attention remains largely focused on key conflict zones such as the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
- While the US has increasingly recognised the Indian Ocean’s strategic importance, the Western Indian Ocean remains beyond the geographical purview of the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).
- Explicit Emphasis: However, a notable development in the recent meeting was the explicit emphasis on the Indian Ocean.
- A new initiative, the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture, was introduced as a comprehensive platform to promote coordinated investments in economic connectivity and commercial development.
- Additionally, digital infrastructure in the region received a boost with the announcement of a multi-billion-dollar undersea cable project aimed at strengthening connectivity in the Indian Ocean.
India-US Collaboration: Strengthening Maritime Security and Connectivity
- Renewed Commitment: The PM’s visit to the US underscored a renewed commitment to deepening India-US engagement in the Indian Ocean.
- Limited Synergy in History: Historically, Washington and New Delhi had limited synergy in this region, but recent initiatives indicate a shift towards more meaningful collaboration.
- The emphasis on infrastructure and digital connectivity aligns with the broader vision of enhancing economic partnerships, but robust security cooperation remains imperative.
- China’s Expansion: China’s expanding footprint in the Indian Ocean presents a growing security challenge.
- Beijing has been increasing its presence through research vessel deployments and strengthening political ties with Indian Ocean littoral states.
- Additionally, rising incidents of piracy and maritime terrorism in the Western Indian Ocean continue to pose threats to regional stability and connectivity initiatives.
Future of India-US Engagement in the Indo-Pacific
- Shared Vision: The meeting reaffirmed a shared vision for strengthening regional security and infrastructure investments in the Indo-Pacific.
- Strategic Reorientation: The Indian Ocean, which bridges the Middle East and the Pacific theatre, is set to play a crucial role in the US administration’s broader strategic reorientation.
- A key element of this strategy involves a transregional connectivity initiative, leveraging partnerships within the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the I2U2 (India, Israel, United Arab Emirates, and US) Group.
- Over the next six months, India’s engagement in the Indian Ocean is expected to expand, incorporating both economic and security dimensions.
