Washington, April 23 (IANS) India’s relationship with the United States is under visible strain across its core pillars and needs urgent recalibration based on “mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest,” Ram Madhav said at the Hudson Institute’s New India Conference.
The president of the India Foundation described the partnership as “a very important relationship” that will endure, but warned that recent developments have weakened its strategic, economic and people-to-people foundations.
“We had a great understanding of our geostrategic priorities… Today doesn’t seem so anymore,” Madhav said, pointing to uncertainty in US policy direction on issues such as China and global alignments.
He said the economic pillar, built over two decades, is also under pressure amid tariff disputes and investment concerns. “We are also facing net negative FDI from… the US on the economy,” he said, highlighting imbalances in capital flows.
Madhav expressed cautious optimism over an upcoming trade deal, saying it could provide a reset. “We are looking forward to the trade deal… we are hoping that… we will finally… close the deal,” he said.
He also flagged growing anxiety among the Indian diaspora, which has historically played a key role in strengthening bilateral ties. “There is a lot of anxiety, a lot of worries among the… community,” he said, adding that rhetoric affecting Indian-origin populations in the US must be addressed.
Madhav identified three essential steps to restore momentum. “Mutual respect is very important… mutual sensitivity is important… and finally, mutual interest,” he said, stressing that both sides must rebuild consensus on shared priorities.
He cautioned against complacency, saying countries “do not have that luxury” to treat current tensions as a “passing phase,” given fast-evolving global challenges.
On the ongoing global conflict impacting maritime routes, Madhav warned against its expansion into the Indian Ocean. “The enlargement of this whole conflict… into the entire Indian Ocean region will not be… welcomed by India,” he said, urging dialogue and negotiation to prevent escalation.
The New India Conference, held on April 23, brought together senior policymakers and experts to examine India’s global trajectory and the future of US-India ties.
–IANS
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