The Foreign Affairs Interview The Uncertain Future of U.S. Relations With India
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Jul 31, 2025 
Ashley J. Tellis, a scholar and former U.S. official, makes a case for India's closer alignment with the U.S. to counter China, stirring debate. Dhruva Jaishankar counters that the U.S. isn't offering India a true alliance, pushing for a multipolar order instead. Nirupama Rao emphasizes India's need for strategic autonomy amidst complex international dynamics. The trio dives deep into the challenges of U.S.-India relations, the implications of India's political shift, and the need for effective collaboration to tackle regional threats.
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US-India Partnership Origins
- The U.S.-India partnership was initially driven by U.S. interests to build a stable balance of power in Asia.
- Despite mutual benefits, current developments question the effectiveness of this partnership against China's rise.
Constraints on India's Rise
- India cannot balance China independently due to economic and military capacity gaps.
- India's rising illiberalism negatively impacts its power mobilization and undermines global liberal order.
India's Strategic Autonomy Explained
- India's foreign policy balances tradition and modernity, navigating complexity with strategic autonomy.
- India deliberately maintains ambiguity to preserve flexibility in pursuing national interests.