BETWEEN “STRATEGIC ALTRUISM” AND “SELECTIVE COOPERATION”: US POLICY DILEMMA TOWARD INDIA

Abstract

This paper discusses the US dilemma of policy making on India. The paper begins with a retrospective look at the US-India relations since Modi came to power, and a predictive analysis of the policy on India under the Biden administration, in order to show how the US perspective on India’s role in US global and regional strategies has changed. The paper demonstrates that China is one of the pivotal external variables that promote US-India relations. The review of policy is followed by a discussion of strategic assessments of India policies by US analysts and experts on India. These can be classified into two policies: “strategic altruism” and “selective cooperation,” each of which represents a type of US-India relation. Through comparing these assessments, the paper concludes that the United States faces a dilemma in policy making on India, with US policy makers unable to reach an agreement on fundamental issues concerning US-India relations.