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| Foto:Relations between India and the United States have seen their ups and downs |
VISTORBELITUNG.COM,Relations between India and the United States have seen their ups and downs, especially under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. Instead of submitting to Washington's demands, India has moved even closer to Russia and China. Here’s why India under Modi's leadership has chosen not to be dictated to by the US.
India's foreign policy has always prioritized strategic autonomy. During the Cold War, India was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to avoid polarization between the US and Soviet blocs. This principle is still firmly held. India doesn't want to be an ally or a "satellite state" of the US; it wants to be recognized as an equal major power. Modi, with his "Act East Policy," seeks to strengthen relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific and maintain a balance of power, including in the face of China's dominance.
India realizes that becoming too dependent on one superpower can limit its policy options and sovereignty. Therefore, India seeks to establish good relations with various world powers, including the US, Russia, and China, to safeguard its national interests.
Close Ties with Russia and China
Even though the US has tried to pressure India to reduce its relations with Russia and China, New Delhi has strong reasons to maintain these partnerships.
Russia, The India-Russia relationship has been strong since the Soviet era. Russia is one of the main suppliers of arms and military equipment to India. Russia has also long been an important trading and strategic partner for India. When the US imposed additional tariffs on Russian oil imports, India indicated that it would continue to buy oil from Russia to save on expenses, showing that India prioritizes its economic interests. The meeting between Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of a regional summit in China reaffirmed their deep bond amid tensions with Washington.
China,Although India and China have border disputes that often trigger tensions, both countries also recognize the importance of working together. India, along with Russia and China, seeks a new global order that is not dominated by the US and its allies. India and China are also members of BRICS, an economic bloc that also includes Brazil, Russia, and South Africa. Joining BRICS shows that India wants to be part of a multipolar system not controlled by US financial dominance.
Economic and Trade Challenges with the US
Economic relations between India and the US have also been tense. When the US imposed significant additional tariffs on Indian exports, New Delhi retaliated by delaying the purchase of arms and aircraft from the US. This action shows that India will not simply bow to US economic pressure. India will prioritize its economic interests and reject policies it considers unfair.
The US's stance of trying to dictate India's foreign policy, such as pressuring India to end its purchase of oil and arms from Russia, has only pushed New Delhi closer to Moscow and Beijing. India feels that the US does not respect its sovereignty and strategic choices.
Prime Minister Modi, with his strong leadership style, has shown that he will not let India become a puppet of Washington. He will continue to navigate the complexities of global geopolitics to maintain India's independence, sovereignty, and national interests.