The public sentiment towards India-US relations is predominantly negative, marked by deep skepticism towards the U.S., particularly under Trump's leadership. Many commenters emphasize India’s sovereignty and express frustration over perceived disrespect from the U.S., particularly regarding tariffs. There is a prevailing sentiment that India should prioritize its own interests and strengthen ties with other nations like Russia and China, rejecting U.S. influence.

India

United States

Donald Trump

The inherent problem with such an alliance is that US will have to give up Pak and India will need to give up Russia. No US alliance is unconditional.

 But that wont  be easy, especially for India.

Pak's given you ample reason to over the years.
You're almost in denial about a regiment in the Pak army existing till date for terrorism activities.
You think its a 'few bad apples problem' even though you've been their victim too. Pakistan was the epicenter of a global problem that the world has fought since 2000. And it is still a dictatorship.

Russia has ideological differences with the west. If pakistan had ideological differences with India, we'd understand it.

Pakistan fights much much dirtier with India than Russia does with the West.

Indo-us people to people connections are strong but any alliance conditional upon distancing from Russia won't sit well due to historical reasons.

If the US is looking for an unconditional alliance, lets go. But the US mostly looks for an anti china alliance or anti russia alliance or anti something alliance.

With pre conditions its wont be practical. Russia is a historical friend that we will not go to war for. China is a neighbor that we must get along with

shankisaiyan

US alliance with India is over assuming it ever existed in the first place which I don't. India is allergic to the word "alliance" and they take every opportunity to remind everyone that and US is a joke of an ally.

They will continue to do business with everyone, including US, but that's all it will likely ever be.

Normal_Imagination54

The US-led World Bank pledged to invest $40 Billion in Pakistan over the next 10 years.

Japan most recently pledged to invest $68 Billion in India over the next 10 years.

The US and India never were a alliance. The US is more of a ally with Pakistan.

India should push for the manufacturing of Su-57's in India as soon as possible. The ToT will help speed up the indigenous Amca program as well as bolster its "Made In India" initiative. India could look into manufacturing these Su-57's to sell back to Russia over a period of time as well. India should also look into easing investment curbs for Chinese investments.

Old-Machine-8000

With how the US is treating it's close allies like the  EU, Canada and Japan, why would India want to become an ally of the US.

trtryt

India and the US don’t share enough common goals to be allies. 

Things were never as good as they looked before and it’s not quite as bad as it looks now. It’s a mostly neutral relationship.

lostinspacs

This ship has now sailed. No one in India is now going to trust the US to enter into any kind of alliance. Indian Government does not break agreements it enters into. The same cannot be said about the US Government.

Sumeru88

This feels like an incredibly US focussed article that doesn’t really seem to care about the indian PoV. The US made some major diplomatic blunders in India, the US seems unwilling to completely turn on Pakistan and instead seems to repeatedly try t9 support Pakistan. Wanting to be allies with both Indua and Pakistan is completely unrealistic though.

VERTIKAL19

The word “Alliance” carries a lot of baggage thanks to how it was used in the world wars and the Cold War.

So for India, it’s smarter not to box itself into that with anyone (US, Russia, China). Better to build ties and do deals case by case.

The minute you lock into an alliance, you’re basically choosing an enemy—whether you say it out loud or not—and that just drags the world back into a Cold War vibe.

To be frank, every nation should start doing it - if there are no two fronts, there won't be a war.

curiousstrider

Much like in any close relationship, disagreements often bring stress and pressure, but they can also serve as turning points. A clash forces both sides to confront their vulnerabilities, acknowledge differences, and ultimately realize the value they hold for each other. What follows is usually a stronger, more mature reunion built on deeper understanding.

This dynamic applies to the India–US relationship today. Despite occasional tensions, both nations know they cannot afford to ignore each other. Their economic, strategic, and geopolitical interests are too deeply intertwined. Differences may cause friction, but every challenge also paves the way for a more resilient partnership—one that recognizes both the weaknesses and the indispensable strengths on each side.

LoneTiger12345

India is the kind of country that doesn't like to belong to cliques or alliances. What the Americans should have done was disengage as much as possible from Pakistan and create a "partnership" with India to contain China. But hey, it seems like no one in the American government uses their brains.

IndividualNo5275

Submission Statement:

The authors - Kurt Campbell (Former Indopacific 'Czar') and Jake Sullivan (Former NSA) argue that, unlike previous eras, the current global environment demands a more formal and robust strategic relationship between the U.S. and India. They propose establishing a strategic alliance, grounded in mutual commitments, to reinforce cooperation not only on defense and security—but also on broader geopolitical and economic fronts .

Top-Flatworm8201

The US is doing everything possible to push away India, who wanted to strengthen its relationship with the US - something that 5 previous US administrations and Indian govt's have tried to build. 

India buys arms and oil from Russia because there isn't an alternative. Ironically US exports to India are the same as Russia's - aircraft and oil .

Trump has welcomed the Pak army chief to the white house - not the elected Prime minister,   
after he reiterated his support for anti India terrorist groups and had his generals appear at the funerals of terrorists killed in recent Indian air strikes. He also threatened to blow up half the world with his nuclear weapons, during his subsequent visit to the US, where he was praised for his contribution in the fight against terror - he headed the organisation that hosted Osama.  
What the US did is the equivalent of India hosting Osama and praising his fight against the US.

We have an adversarial relationship with China and China has less access to the Indian market than the US, but they export 3 times more to India than the US does. China's views are predictable, we have no idea what Trump will tweet next.   
  
On a daily basis, various US officials and Trump make insulting remarks against India, which no self respecting country will tolerate. Trump's actions have managed to unite all parties in India against Trump.

Dean_46

Ironically all the collaborations listed in the article have been one giant stream of failures. We have had better success at a strategic level with Russia despite being burdened with the Ukrainian war and Caatsa sanctions.

Choice_Ad2121

GrizzledFart

The pessimism in this thread is a bit disappointing. This is a very well written piece and I hope leadership of both countries work on such a plan and improve ties. A democratic, liberal world order, even if it is not the one of 90s &amp; early 2000s is still our best bet for peace, prosperity &amp; progress on a global scale. Giving up on such a consequential relationship, all because of one man, is not and should not be acceptable.

PersonNPlusOne

India cannot be trusted, same with the US.

Dull-Instruction-698

[deleted]

The unraveling of a seemingly positive trade dynamic shows the precarious nature of crafting an economic partnership with a mercurial Trump administration. India appeared on the fast track to a trade deal. An early White House visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi led to months of negotiations. By July, the Indians believed they had struck an agreement and that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were simply waiting on President Donald Trump’s approval.

strategicpublish

No new information in the article.

“He is upset” - you don’t say…. A lot of Indians are upset too.

omnivision12345

Imagine that in a few decades people will be discussing how a rapist manchild felon became president of US, because Republican voters wanted Democrats to get rekt.

Of course he is upset, someone didn't kiss his ass enough so he tries to punish them by scraping any deal and destroying diplomatic relations. He doesn't care about short or long term implications of this, if he can even fathom them.

Cheerful_Champion

Poor Trumpanzee is such a big pedo snowflake because Modi refused to him a “Nobel Pedo Prize” photo op with Pakistan’s military dictator who is a professional ass kisser.

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AutoModerator

What about Software exports like Google, facebook, whatsapp. Why are they not counted.

Tacama

All major rating agencies like Moody's, barkley, fitch, s&amp;p foresee impact of about 0.2-0.3 pp on Indian GDP growth by this.

Sun1385In

Does this include IT &amp; software exports? We have many IT companies that have many US customers whom we charge in USD. Any idea? I believe that number may be more than this.

Any_Contribution_238

So, china exported 428 billion worth of goods.

80 billion isn't "more than any other country.'

LateScientist6316

I'm not an economist but can someone tell me what will we lose if we Boycott USA completely?

iceinmyveinsIguess

What is everything else ? Can anybody explain

ehmotherfuckers

This chart really shows how important the U.S. is for Indian exports—nearly $80 billion worth. If Trump goes ahead with a 25% tariff, it's not just numbers on paper. It could hit millions of Indian jobs and small businesses that depend on U.S. markets. Sure, the trade balance favors India, and that’s why we’re in the spotlight. But let’s be real if tariffs go up, U.S. consumers will feel it too. Things like affordable medicines, jewellery, and electronics from India won’t come cheap anymore. In the end, both sides lose if politics gets in the way of smart diplomacy

spirit101_gg

Thanks for the info. We should do more trade with every country in the world. More exports and less imports would be better.

Rus1996

Now compare it to russia..where they don't buy anything from us..still we put them on a pedestal

Accomplished-Rip5200

Why the f countries import and export same things

DopeAFjknotreally

There’s a lot of people overly focused on semantics in this thread about “having” India. The main point is that the Modi government was the most pro-US government India has had in recent times, and after the split from Pakistan following the whole Osama bin Laden episode, the Obama administration was inching toward a major diplomatic and defence partnership shift to India, and Indian public opinion had done a full 180 from the Cold War days when America was considered a hostile power. Trump’s first term actually capitalized on this public opinion shift quite well and it created a great atmosphere for the governments to work together and look good domestically doing it. However, this cooperation stalled under Biden and has been almost completely thrown into chaos in Trump’s second term where he’s suddenly decided he would rather treat with the Pakistanis in exchange for silly little personal favours like Nobel prizes. This could be another historic blunder that will keep the two democracies from deepening ties for another 40 years. Trump may become as reviled among Indians as Nixon and Kissinger.

TorontoGiraffe

I blog on Indian national security. I had so far given the benefit of doubt to Trump, assuming that he must have basic competence to be President and the US system won't allow a fool to be elected. I think I was mistaken. He's not just incompetent, he's deranged and those around him won't tell him so

[1.](http://1.You) One does not do diplomacy on social media. Don't publish something that the other side has not agreed to. I haven't seen an approved text of ANY of the agreements that various countries are supposed to have agreed -except a foundation agreement with UK.

2, The US does not have an Ambassador to India - though we are the two biggest democracies (in population, size of economy in PPP and military power). There is a one year wait for a visa interview, so there is no attempt to even get the basics of a relationship right.

3. Trump has zero understanding of our red lines and has no credibility on a shared concern like fighting terror - he entertains Pakistan, despite its state sponsored terror  
and makes ludicrous claims of his mediating a ceasefire. He says his main adversary is China, but equates his strongest potential ally (India) against China, with China The only reason any head of state would still have a serious discussion with him, is because he heads the US.

4. He also lies to the extent that nothing he says can be taken seriously. His latest tweet about Pakistan's oil reserves, is probably news to Pakistan.   
We are not a \`tariff king'. Our average tariff for US items is much less than Trump's 25% (plus an unspecified penalty) and in line with our WTO commitment.   
  
We have an adversarial relationship with China, but they export $ 120 billion to us, three times more than the US, with higher tariff's than we have with the US.   
Given that we are the 3rd largest economy (in PP terms), the fastest growing in the G20 and the top 10 trading partner of all major economies, its inappropriate to publicly call   
us a dead economy. 

Trying to tariff a country because they are prosecuting your friend (Brazil), or buying oil from Russia, are schoolyard bully tactics.

How did the U.S. “have” India, when India was literally the leader of the non-aligned movement?

PollutionFinancial71

I do not think we ever “had India”. We are closer with Pakistan than India

perry147

Thats alright

It was clearly a calculated decision made pragmatically by the president of the USA, Donald Trump

To erase 20 years of diplomatic progress over the course of 2 months must be worth it in that case. 

Im sure the money the Trump family will mint via the Pakistani crypto council will be far more than the money America could make via trade with India

Far_Piglet_9596

SS:

In 2019, U.S. President Donald Trump stood alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston. The atmosphere was electric. Indian Americans cheered, and New Delhi appeared fully invested in the Trump presidency. Trump’s popularity in India eclipsed that of his successor Joe Biden and even Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harris, who is herself of Indian ancestry. Trump’s re-election in 2024 thus seemed like the beginning of a new, stronger chapter in India-U.S. relations.

That chapter is now closing fast. India is beginning to question the value of its strategic alignment with Washington. And the United States is handing it every reason to do so.

Uppermiddle class Indians and Americans are more closely aligned in thinking than the US is to Europe. While there are large cultural differences and an enormous under class in India, US and India relations are not bad. It will be a real rivalry going forward, but not hostile.

Gajanvihari

When they had India? 
At best they will get a France out of India by the look of it they will get a Brazil

spikeineyes

India has always been as neutral as they can be, we never had them to lose them

awake283

Utterly stupid move by Trump, India is a rising economic and military power and could have been one of the most important US allies in the 21st century. 

Everything this guy does only weakens us. Russia and China smile every day this clown remains in office.

ChrisF1987

Sana Hashmi the author of the article seems to take idea that India was coming in swinging to Usa and it would have helped to establish a permanent ally or whatever the author is trying to communicate in her ideas. India was never a Usa ally, it always took to look at advantages it can get from Usa and China.
 Trump does not matter much since the war in Ukraine is going out and India by buying Russian oil is certainly proving her autonomy does not come at any cost. 
This is just a more pragmatic shift and no way Usa wants another 1.5 billion country to rise and challenge it's and China's hegemony.

Weak_Adhesiveness621

If the US imposes sanctions on Russia, it would actually target India.

One-Strength-1978

I think people are a bit naive about the ceiling for this relationship.

There’s no real reason for the US and India to be allies or trust each other right now. There are way too many diverging interests

LongShow5279

I think the United States has realized that India cannot be  a counterweight to China, much as they wish it. Here's the legendary and late Charlie Munger articulating it in a forthright manner. [https://www.reddit.com/r/IndiaSpeaks/comments/186j3qt/charlie\_munger\_on\_india\_thoughts/](https://www.reddit.com/r/IndiaSpeaks/comments/186j3qt/charlie_munger_on_india_thoughts/)

ImprovementGreat7654

Wasn’t India always considered close to the Russians for the longest time so much so that the US sided with Pakistan during the 1971 war. 

It was only after the Kargil War in 1999 when the terrorists were found to be Pakistani army regulars that the US toughened its stance on Pakistan and moved closer to India - coinciding later with the large number of techies from India. 

The US has brought India into the Quad security dialogue, working on U2I2, and other cooperative efforts (defense, technology etc) but India has always avoided taking sides so far (trying to maintain its friendship with the Russians and The US). The US saw India as a natural ally against China that more tech manufacturing is slowly moving to India. 

But to say US ever “had India” is a exaggeration

hinterstoisser

The US foreign policy is causing it to get isolated from the classic allies. This is bad news in a timeframe it is losing the competition with China fast, politically, militarily and economically. The west will pay a huge price for that, if it will not result in a global conflict we cannot win.

Andries_1960

I would write the opposite headline. The US tried fairly hard to court India during both the Trump I and Biden admin, but at the end of the day India didn't really want that kind of partnership and Washington has largely lost interest in pursuing it even before Trump II.

somethingicanspell

outtayoleeg

Because when the average American goes grocery shopping almost everything they buy is processed and packaged and overloaded with sugar. It’s not because they’re going to all-you-can-eat cake eating events every day.

This is probably a once a year event. Let people stuff themselves with cake every once in a while if they want to

Doctor__Hammer

The US never ‘had’ India. India always picks itself and it will not fight China together with the US. It will stay out of that fight and it will try to profit from it by gaining favors from both sides.

India will also not fight alongside China or Russia, so when they so clearly go for their own interests, one can ask how useful they are for anyone. Trump is right to turn the screws on India.

What does India even have to offer to the US besides (massively overrated) cheap IT services which stands to be easily automated away using AI?

simulacrum79

I’m all for criticizing Trump, but India never really committed to being an ally to the US/West. 

Sure, the US blew it with India in the 50s, but I think in the recent decades India more than had a chance to change the relationship. 

Now? 

India relies on Russian weaponry and Russia has no capacity to supply India in the foreseeable future, so good luck with that. 

India’s 2 main existential threats are Pakistan (with whom the US has apparently decided to reengage) and China… China who is the senior partner in Sino-Russo “friendship”. Pakistan is also quite well aligned with China. 

In other words, India needs the US much much more than the US needs whatever India has been offering up until now.

Deucalion667

Honestly if India still thinks protecting their small plot farmers is more important than developing trade they probably aren't going to be that important in China / US confrontation timelines.


Until agriculture stops absorbing such vast amounts of labor they won't develop.

Forsaken-Bobcat-491

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