The US and India Still Need Each Other
Modi’s democratic backsliding is a serious concern, but the two countries have every reason to continue engaging.
Prickly partner.
Photographer: Dean Lewins-Pool/Getty Images
Despite the warm greetings Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will surely receive at the White House and in Congress this week, doubts linger about India’s reliability as a US partner. Washington should be cautious about envisioning a grand strategic alliance with the world’s most populous country. But continued investment in the relationship — however difficult — remains essential to the interests of both nations.
India has long resisted some Western priorities, but its recent actions have been particularly defiant. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India has refused to rebuke Vladimir Putin directly or to halt oil and arms purchases from Russia, instead condemning Western sanctions for trampling on the interests of developing nations. While India has been drawing closer to the US militarily, it shows little interest in supporting US forces in any conflict with China.