How U.S. is dismissing India's role as strategic partner

How U.S. is dismissing India's role as strategic partner

Recent U.S. Actions Signal a Downgrade in India's Strategic Importance

In the evolving landscape of global geopolitics, the relationship between the United States and India has long been framed as a cornerstone of stability in the Indo-Pacific region. For years, Washington has positioned New Delhi as a crucial ally to balance China's growing influence, fostering partnerships through frameworks like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. However, a series of pointed statements, policy decisions, and diplomatic maneuvers in 2025 suggest a significant shift. The U.S. appears increasingly frustrated with India's independent foreign policy choices, particularly its economic ties with Russia and participation in multilateral groups that include China. This frustration has manifested in economic threats, public rebukes, and a reevaluation of India's value as a partner, potentially eroding the narrative of mutual strategic interests.The tensions have roots in security concerns that have strained bilateral trust. In a high-profile case, American authorities accused a former Indian intelligence official of orchestrating an assassination attempt on a prominent Sikh activist based in New York. The plot targeted Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a vocal proponent of Sikh independence, and involved hiring intermediaries to carry out the hit.

This incident not only highlighted alleged extraterritorial actions by Indian agents but also prompted strong condemnations from U.S. officials, who viewed it as a direct challenge to American sovereignty and free speech protections. Similarly, north of the border, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly lambasted India for what he described as a grave error in infringing on Canada's territorial integrity. His testimony before a parliamentary inquiry focused on the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Sikh separatist, attributing it to Indian involvement and criticizing New Delhi's uncooperative stance in investigations.

These episodes have led to reciprocal expulsions of diplomats between India and both the U.S. and Canada, underscoring a broader chill in relations that extends beyond mere rhetoric.Economic leverage has emerged as a primary tool in Washington's arsenal to pressure India. Prominent Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has been vocal in advocating for aggressive measures against nations continuing to purchase Russian energy amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Graham proposed tariffs as high as 500 percent on such countries, explicitly warning that continued imports from Moscow would result in severe economic repercussions, including the potential to devastate economies like India's.

He argued that these purchases directly fund Russia's military efforts, framing them as a moral and strategic betrayal. President Donald Trump, who endorsed Graham for re-election earlier in the year, has aligned with this hardline approach, emphasizing themes of energy independence and global dominance through strength.

This endorsement ties into broader administration goals of curbing reliance on adversarial suppliers and bolstering U.S. economic interests.The rhetoric escalated dramatically in early September 2025, when U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appeared on Bloomberg Television. Lutnick dismissed India's geopolitical significance by likening it to a mere "vowel" in the BRICS acronym—sandwiched between Russia and China, implying it serves as an inconsequential connector facilitating closer ties between two U.S. rivals.

He urged India to abandon its membership in the group, cease oil imports from Russia, open its markets more fully, and align unequivocally with American financial systems like the dollar. Failure to comply, he warned, would invite punitive 50 percent tariffs, positioning the American consumer as India's paramount client whose loyalty should not be taken for granted.

This came against the backdrop of Trump's recent imposition of such tariffs on Indian exports, ostensibly as retaliation for New Delhi's neutral posture on global conflicts and its economic engagements with sanctioned entities.

Compounding these developments, President Trump took to his Truth Social platform on September 5, 2025, to express dismay over images from a recent multilateral gathering. He lamented that the U.S. had seemingly forfeited India and Russia to what he termed the "deepest, darkest" influence of China, sarcastically wishing the trio prosperity in their alliance.

This post followed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China—a visit marking his first to the country in seven years.

The SCO event, which also included Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, symbolized India's commitment to multipolar diplomacy, prioritizing regional cooperation over exclusive alignments with the West. Modi's participation, amid border disputes with China and ongoing U.S. sanctions pressure, highlighted New Delhi's strategy to diversify partnerships and hedge against overreliance on any single power.These actions collectively paint a picture of a U.S. administration increasingly viewing India not as an indispensable counterbalance to China, but as a wavering actor whose neutrality undermines American objectives. Previous U.S. policies under multiple administrations had elevated India through defense pacts, technology sharing, and joint exercises, aiming to integrate it into a network opposing Beijing's assertiveness. Now, with India deepening ties in forums like the SCO and maintaining robust trade with Russia—despite Western sanctions—the narrative has flipped. Washington's coercive tactics, including tariffs and public shaming, risk alienating a nation with the world's largest population and a rapidly growing economy, potentially driving it further into alternative orbits.Looking ahead, the trajectory of U.S.-India relations hinges on whether these frictions can be resolved through dialogue or escalate into a prolonged standoff. Recent trade talks have been described as constructive, with both sides expressing optimism about finding common ground.

Yet, the underlying issues—India's strategic autonomy versus U.S. demands for alignment—remain unresolved. As global power dynamics shift, with emerging economies seeking greater independence, the U.S. may need to recalibrate its approach to avoid isolating potential partners. For India, balancing its interests with Russia and China while preserving economic ties to the West will test its diplomatic agility. Ultimately, this moment could redefine alliances, challenging the assumption that shared democratic values alone suffice for enduring partnerships in a multipolar world.

References

1. U.S. Department of Justice indictment on Vikash Yadav: BBC News, "Gurpatwant Singh Pannu: US charges ex-India agent in Sikh separatist murder plot" (September 2025).
2. Justin Trudeau's parliamentary testimony: The Guardian, "Trudeau: India made ‘horrific mistake’ in violating Canadian sovereignty" (October 2024, with updates through 2025).
3. Lindsey Graham's statements on tariffs and Russian oil: Economic Times, "'Your purchases have killed...': US Senator Lindsey Graham blames India over use of Russian oil" (August 2025); Politico, "Lindsey Graham has a strategy to end Russia's war in Ukraine" (August 2025).
4. Trump's endorsement of Graham: Fox News, "Trump endorses Sen. Lindsey Graham for re-election" (March 2025).
5. Howard Lutnick's Bloomberg interview: Bloomberg, "India Needs to Pick a Side, US or Russia, Lutnick Says" (September 5, 2025); Economic Times, "India will be at negotiating table 'in a month or two': US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick" (September 2025).
6. Trump's Truth Social post: Reuters, "Trump says India and Russia appear 'lost' to 'deepest, darkest China'" (September 6, 2025); Newsweek, "Donald Trump Laments Loss of India, Russia to 'Deepest, Darkest China'" (September 5, 2025).
7. U.S.-India trade tensions and tariffs: The Guardian, "Trump imposes 50% tariff on India as punishment for buying Russian oil" (August 27, 2025); Reuters, "India says trade discussions with US 'positive,' 'forward looking'" (September 16, 2025).
8. Modi's SCO summit attendance: Chatham House, "Modi's SCO summit visit shows China and India want to reset relations" (September 2025); Economic Times, "What does PM Modi's attendance at the SCO summit in Tianjin mean for India's geopolitical strategy" (August 2025).

Sources: Economic Times, Fox Business, ndtv.com BBC , theguardian.com