The Editorial Analysis: Dynamism in India-U.S. ties

Dynamism in India-U.S. ties: Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: International Relations- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Recently, a congressional delegation (CODEL) led by U.S. Senator John Cornyn traveled to the Indo-Pacific Command countries, including the Philippines, Taiwan and India.
- In New Delhi, the six-member delegation interacted with the Prime Minister of India, External Affairs Minister, and representatives of the Dalai Lama.
While there are regular interactions among officials at various levels and across sectors, as well as people-to-people engagement, there are no formal interactions between Members of Parliament in India and members of the U.S. Congress.

CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act): CAATSA bars countries from procuring military weapons from Russia.
- India faces the prospect of sanctions for procuring S-400 missiles from Russia.
Lack of any formal institutional communication or interaction between MPs in India and members of the U.S. Congress.

Indo-Pacific Theatre: Indo-Pacific is the largest military theater in the world, and India-US ties are invaluable for countering China’s overreach.
India-U.S. comprehensive global strategic partnership: The partnership will help both India and US in furthering their interests and countering Chinese aggression.
Significance of the U.S. Congress: Many congress members favoured India getting the presidential waiver under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Strengthening India-US relations: increasing convergence of strategic interests between India and the U.S. must further be enhanced to promote global peace and stability.
Cooperate on Contemporary Global Issues: Both India and USA should focus on enhancing the bilateral relationship and strengthening cooperation on contemporary global issues such as terrorism, climate change and reliable chains for critical technologies.
Institutionalize the interaction between MPs in India and Members of the U.S. Congress: Members of the U.S. Congress play an important role in determining foreign policy.
- This is important as legislative interactions inject dynamism in bilateral relations.
- Establishing India-US Parliamentary Exchange: as declared at the joint statement of the 2+2 Dialogue in 2019 to facilitate reciprocal visits by Parliamentarians of the two countries.
- India can take it forward through the Indian Parliamentary Group, which acts as a link between the Indian Parliament and the various Parliaments of the world.
Parliamentary Friendship Groups: At present, there are eight Parliamentary Friendship Groups of India’s including Japan, Russia, China and the European Union.
- This mechanism should also be established between India and the U.S.A.

In 2022, when Parliament celebrates its 70th year, a formal arrangement with the U.S Congress can institutionalize this unique relationship between representatives of the U.S. and India.

shivam