India-US partnership is growing across trade, technology: US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor

The recent visit of US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Mumbai, highlighting the expanding partnership across critical sectors like trade, technology, education, energy, and resilient supply chains, underscores the robust and evolving nature of India-US relations. This event is not merely a diplomatic formality but a reaffirmation of a strategic alignment that has profound implications for both nations and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

**Background Context and Historical Evolution:**

The trajectory of India-US relations has been marked by significant shifts. During the Cold War, India's non-aligned stance often placed it at odds with the US, which aligned with Pakistan. However, the end of the Cold War in 1991 and India's economic liberalization policies paved the way for a gradual re-evaluation of this relationship. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a thawing, with initiatives under leaders like Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Bill Clinton, followed by a dramatic transformation during the George W. Bush administration. The landmark India-US Civil Nuclear Deal in 2008, signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's tenure, was a watershed moment, ending India's nuclear isolation and cementing a strategic partnership based on shared democratic values. Subsequent administrations, including Obama, Trump, and Biden, have consistently deepened this engagement, driven by converging geopolitical interests, particularly the rise of China and the need for a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

**What Happened and Key Areas of Collaboration:**

Ambassador Gor's "successful" visit to Mumbai served to spotlight the practical manifestation of this partnership. The emphasized areas reveal the multifaceted nature of current cooperation:

* **Trade:** Bilateral trade has grown significantly, exceeding $191 billion in goods and services in 2022-23. The focus is on reducing trade barriers, increasing market access, and diversifying supply chains to boost this further. India is keen on attracting more US investment under its 'Make in India' initiative.

* **Technology:** This is a crucial pillar, especially in critical and emerging technologies (CET). Collaboration spans semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space technology, and defense innovation. Initiatives like the iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology) launched in 2023 aim to foster an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem.

* **Education:** People-to-people ties are foundational. The US is a prime destination for Indian students, and collaboration extends to research partnerships, academic exchanges, and skill development programs, contributing to India's human capital.

* **Energy:** Both nations are committed to clean energy transition. Cooperation includes renewable energy technologies (solar, wind), energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and ensuring energy security, particularly in light of global supply chain disruptions.

* **Resilient Supply Chains:** The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains. India and the US are working together, often through frameworks like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), to build more resilient and diversified supply chains, reducing over-reliance on single countries and enhancing economic security.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:**

Beyond the diplomatic corps like Ambassador Gor, the partnership involves a wide array of stakeholders. On the Indian side, the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Defence, and various scientific and educational institutions are pivotal. In the US, the State Department, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, and various agencies play crucial roles. The private sector is a significant driver, with companies from both sides engaging in trade, investment, and technological collaboration. Business chambers like the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), and the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) actively facilitate these interactions.

**Significance for India:**

This growing partnership holds immense significance for India. Economically, it promises increased trade, foreign direct investment, and access to advanced technologies, vital for India's ambition to become a $5 trillion economy. Strategically, the US is a crucial partner in India's Indo-Pacific vision, providing a counterbalance to regional hegemonic tendencies and enhancing India's defense capabilities through joint exercises and technology transfers. Agreements like LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement), COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement), and BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) have deepened defense interoperability. Technologically, access to US innovation is critical for India's indigenous development programs, including 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. Furthermore, collaboration on climate change and clean energy aligns with India's ambitious renewable energy targets.

**Constitutional and Policy References:**

While bilateral relations are primarily guided by executive foreign policy decisions, they are underpinned by constitutional principles. **Article 51** of the Directive Principles of State Policy mandates the state to promote international peace and security, foster respect for international law, and encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration. This provides a broad framework for India's engagement with global partners. The executive power of the Union, under **Article 73**, extends to matters with respect to which Parliament has power to make laws, implicitly including foreign policy and international agreements. Furthermore, **Article 253** empowers Parliament to make any law for implementing any international treaty, agreement, or convention, or any decision made at any international conference, association, or other body. India's 'Act East Policy' and 'Neighbourhood First Policy' also provide broader strategic context for its global engagements, positioning the US partnership within a comprehensive foreign policy framework.

**Future Implications:**

The India-US partnership is poised for continued growth. Future implications include deeper integration into global supply chains, enhanced defense cooperation, and joint leadership on global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and space exploration. India's increasing strategic autonomy and economic heft position it as an indispensable partner for the US in the 21st century. While challenges such as trade disputes, human rights concerns, or differing approaches to global events (like the Russia-Ukraine conflict) may arise, the fundamental convergence of interests and values suggests a resilient and expanding relationship. The focus will likely remain on critical technologies, defense industrial cooperation, and multilateral coordination in forums like the Quad and G20, solidifying India's role as a net security provider and economic powerhouse in the Indo-Pacific.