India and the United States in the Multiplex World: Engagements, Equations and Complexities

The relational equations between the world’s largest and oldest democracies have been marked by complexities and bitterness on various issues during the entire Cold War period. After the end of the Cold War, two estranged democracies changed their pattern of relationship to fulfilling their national interests. The disintegration of the erstwhile Soviet Union had a sudden change in the foreign policy outlook of India. The growing synergies between New Delhi and Washington got started in the early 1990s in the globalized world. Both have started a new chapter of engagements with new equations in which the market economy played a significant role. Additionally, the convergence of common interests to make counterbalance the South Asian region and combat international terrorism immensely helped to foster bilateral relations. Right from the First Gulf War to the latest Ukraine crisis, the changing approaches of India were noticed. The gradual decline of the U.S.A. in global politics and the gradual hegemonic presence of China led India to formulate a strategic blueprint. In the multiplex world, India and the United States are exercising a strong strategic partnership bilaterally and multilaterally. India’s aspiration of being a global power poses some new diplomatic challenges where the USA is one of the decisive factors. This chapter will attempt to delineate the changing contours of the relationship between India and the United States. It will further focus on India’s possible policy options toward the USA. The content analysis method will be followed in this chapter.