The world is amidst a severe crisis, and this requires strong international leadership. In situations where prevention is insufficient, there must be leadership to develop and implement accurate responses which can minimize the threat to the fundamentals of democratic societies. A fundamental part of the quality of life in the United States and India is democracy. These two largest democracies are best situated to lead in its protection against existential threats like COVID-19. President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have both gradually developed their own rapport, strikingly similar in their grasp of political branding and strongman habits. Both are truly skilled in the business of political showmanship, with a keen eye for the vulnerabilities of established elites, and have fine art in stoking nationalistic themes.
The rise of China has been a consequential factor. It has been fueled by unprecedented economic growth, which has led to a dramatic increase in China’s weight in Asian and global affairs. The vehement disruption of global supply chains due to the occurrence of the coronavirus pandemic is the latest example of how critical China is to the health of the world’s economy. China is also the geopolitical glue that binds the strategic relationship between India, Japan, and the United States. Their shared commitment to the Free and Open Indo-Pacific is a euphemism for keeping China out of Asia’s continental and maritime spaces and coordinating joint efforts by the Indo-Pacific countries to resist Chinese encroachments on their strategic autonomy and economic sovereignty. More countries now subscribe to Indian, Japanese, and U.S. hesitations and suspicions about China’s Belt and Road initiative. China is a hegemony in unipolar Asia, a competitor, and a threat to India, and it makes sense, therefore, for New Delhi to deepen its partnership with Washington in areas other than defense and strategic partnership.
For the US, developing its partnership with the world’s largest democracy with which it shares values and interests is reason enough, and ties have become increasingly more broad-based as Washington gets involved in a long-term strategic rivalry with China. In many ways, India is already “aligned” with the US. Many adjectives are used to describe this global partnership between the two countries. They are termed natural allies, indispensable allies, constituting defining partnership of the 21st century and so on. Much has been written about the development of their relations over the last 15 years since the historic signing of the nuclear deal in 2008. Defense and strategic ties between the two have been cemented with increasing weapons sales and important defense agreements. It is known that there are regular bilateral and multilateral military exercises and dialogues on economic and strategic cooperation.
The geopolitical climate in the Asian continent has embarked new friendships and ties. Alliances are the order of the day. Mutual cooperation has led to countries forming alliances which together create synergies in economic power. The changing landscapes are testimony to the rise of countries who now seek mutual benefits to ride over stagnation and economic dependence. In this scenario the mutual trust developed between India and USA has led to a complete change in the political dynamism in the global politics. The synergies drawn are unprecedented and together can hold the creation of a new level playing field. There is a huge sea change expected in the world today and this assigns great respect to a strong budding relationship.
REFERENCES:
Kotasthane, P., Kanisetti, A., Manur, A., & Alladi, A. (2020, May 14). India’s bargaining power with China and US will grow in post-Covid world. Retrieved May 26, 2020, from https://theprint.in/opinion/indias-bargaining-power-with-china-and-us-will-grow-in-post-covid-world/420395/
Rajagopalan, R. P. (2020, May 8). The pandemic and China are strengthening US-India relations, for now. Retrieved May 26, 2020, from https://www.orfonline.org/research/the-pandemic-and-china-are-strengthening-us-india-relations-for-now-65840/
Suri, M. (2020, February 25). From the Cold War to trade wars: Six things you need to know about Indo-US ties. Retrieved May 26, 2020, from https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/24/asia/india-us-relations-history-intl/index.html
Thakur, R. (2020, March 22). U.S.-India relations shape Japan’s strategic environment. Retrieved May 26, 2020, from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2020/03/22/commentary/japan-commentary/u-s-india-relations-shape-japans-strategic-environment/#.Xs1eVC9h1QJ
US Congressman Calls India ‘Leader in Fight against Coronavirus’ over Move to Supply Hydroxychloroquine. (2020, May 1). Retrieved May 26, 2020, from https://www.news18.com/news/india/us-congressman-calls-india-as-a-leader-in-fight-against-coronavirus-over-move-to-supply-hydroxychloroquine-2600523.html
Vickery, R. E. (2020, April 7). The US and India Should lead the Defense of Democracy in the COVID–19 Crisis. Retrieved May 26, 2020, from https://thediplomat.com/2020/04/the-us-and-india-should-lead-the-defense-of-democracy-in-the-covid-19-crisis/
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