The Precarious State of U.S.-India Ties

Feb 26, 2025

Rajesh Rajagopalan, a Professor of International Politics at Jawaharlal Nehru University and an expert in U.S.-India relations, offers insightful takes on the recent Modi-Trump meeting. The discussion covers two contrasting narratives about the visit and the precarious state of U.S.-India ties amid a volatile political climate. Rajesh emphasizes the stagnation in defense collaborations and India's technology transfer demands. The conversation also touches on challenges posed by China and the implications of Elon Musk's influence on diplomacy.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

Navigating U.S.-India Relations

01:54 • 16min

Rebranding Initiatives: Unpacking the U.S.-India Relationship

17:39 • 3min

Navigating U.S.-India Defense Relations

20:48 • 16min

Navigating Uncertainty in U.S.-India Relations

36:23 • 5min

Navigating U.S.-India Relations

41:41 • 6min

India's Evolving Global Standing: Challenges and Realities

48:06 • 6min

There are two narratives doing the rounds about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Washington to break bread with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The first narrative, touted by the government and its backers, is that Modi skillfully threaded the needle with Trump, standing up for Indian interests but also giving the President some important early wins that can position India well for the future. The second narrative suggests a more pessimistic vision: that U.S.-India relations are at a precarious juncture, where a volatile and transactional President just might upend bilateral ties at a time when India can scarcely afford it.

To discuss where U.S.-India ties sit in the aftermath of the Modi visit, Milan is joined on the show today by Rajesh Rajagopalan. Rajesh is professor of International Politics at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. He is an expert on nuclear policy, Indian foreign policy, and U.S.-India relations. He’s also the author of a new article in ThePrint titled, “India-US ties stuck in cute acronyms. Delhi must wait out the chaos.”

On this week’s show, Milan and Rajesh discuss Joe Biden’s foreign policy legacy, India’s longstanding demands for technology transfers, and the plateauing in bilateral ties. Plus, the two discuss Delhi’s view on Elon Musk and the future of U.S.-China relations.

Episode notes:

“Trump and Modi, Part Deux (with Sadanand Dhume and Tanvi Madan),” Grand Tamasha, February 19, 2025.

Rajesh Rajagopalan, “India-US ties stuck in cute acronyms. Delhi must wait out the chaos,” ThePrint, February 17, 2025.

Rajesh Rajagopalan, “Trump’s blanket desire to avoid all wars can lead to the same wars he wants to avoid,” ThePrint, November 11, 2024.

“Dr. S. Jaishankar on the Future of U.S.-India Relations,” Grand Tamasha, October 2, 2024.

Rajesh Rajagopalan, “India keeps making the same foreign policy mistakes. World doesn’t think we’re being moral,” ThePrint, September 11, 2024.

“Looking Back at U.S.-India Relations in the Biden Era (with Ashley J. Tellis),” Grand Tamasha, September 11, 2024.

Rajesh Rajagopalan, “India-US ties under Modi echo Nehru’s reluctance to commit. Hope consequences aren’t the same,” ThePrint, July 17, 2024.