Tensions have marked US-India relations, yet they remain crucial partners against escalating global threats, says H.R. McMaster, ex-US National Security Advisor.
Speaking exclusively, McMaster called the relationship ‘rocky’ unnecessarily so, stemming from Trump-era disagreements on trade and recognition for mediation in India-Pakistan standoffs.
Persistent trade frictions persist, but solutions lie in collaboration, he asserted. India’s neutral position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict irked Washington, with UN abstentions sparking questions tied to post-Afghanistan trust deficits.
India navigates dilemmas of overcommitment versus isolation, McMaster analyzed, recommending US reassurance efforts. Dependence on outdated Russian arms complicates defense tech transfers, a point underscored by battlefield failures in Ukraine.
China’s border incursions and economic coercion bind the two nations strategically. Cultural ties and the thriving Indian-American community bolster connections.
McMaster envisions enduring strength in bilateral ties, positioning the duo as inevitable allies in a multipolar world.
