Since its independence and the end of the cold war, India has evolved considerably. Nowadays, India's power is rising like its influence on the international scene and the emergence of India as a major Asian power is a matter of fact. Indeed, thanks to diverse advantageous characteristics, India appears as an emerging superpower at the beginning of this 21st century (Wikipedia 2006). Its huge population over one billion citizens, its strategic geographical location, its rising economy and possession of rich natural resources give India the necessary dimension to play an important international role. Often compared to China in a least extent, India's economy has gradually and considerably grown over the past years. Its foreign relations have also improved and India is now closer to China even though disagreements still persist. But the most particular proximity is the one with the United States. Indeed, the India-United States relationship has been increasingly close in recent years. This essay aims to discuss the relationship between India and the United States and the recent closeness that characterises it. The first important point to make is the evaluation of India's rise. In fact, the country has been considerably transformed as its economic situation has highly risen and its foreign relations, with China for instance, improved. We will then focus on India's ties with the United States, and analyze the dimensions of that closeness. We will finally try to evaluate some of the factors explaining this closer India-United States relationship.
[...] Regarding the trade, as Ambrose mentions it, India has to keep in mind that of 2004, the value of its trade with other Asian nations surpassed that of exchange with the United States and Western Europe put together” (Ambrose 2006). This means that while China is currently the second largest export market to India, it might become the first one in the near future. India is the second most populous country in the world and with its rising growth, it is normal that India appear as a balance to China in Asia. [...]
[...] Consequently, the ties between India and the United States appeared to be considerably deteriorated at that point. However and surprisingly, this dissension between the two countries forced them to discuss and get together about the nuclear issue. After 1998, the United States implemented a non- proliferation dialogue with India, encouraging India to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (Wikipedia 2006). These discussions really improved the comprehension between the two countries until 2001, when sanctions on India were finally raised. In recent years, the United States and India have committed themselves to improve their ties and strengthen their relationship. [...]
[...] India-United States closer relationship From a historical point of view, the United States and India had quite a dispassionate and distant relationship since India's independence and the Cold War period. Indeed, while India was still in contact with the United States and the Soviet Union, it decided to lead in 1961, the Non-Aligned Movement. Nevertheless, whereas India did not want to join any of the two blocs, it started to implement closer military ties with the Soviet Union. Indeed, in the late 1960s, India began “receiving massive military equipment and financial assistance from the USSR” (Wikipedia 2006). [...]
[...] Without any doubt, the balance between India, the United States and China definitely appears as one of the most delicate challenges of this new 21st century References Acharya, A., (2002) “Nuclear India in the Twenty-First Century” Book Review, Contemporary Southeast Asia, vol no Ambrose, J.R, (2006) “India, a superpower in the making?” The Real Truth Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2006) India, Country Brief http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/india/india_brief.html Azizian, R., (2002) “India's Emerging Nuclear Posture: Between Recessed Deterrent and Ready Arsenal” Contemporary Southeast Asia, vol no Carnegie Endowment (2005) The U.S-India Global Partnership, [...]
[...] It is then likely that India may have in the future to refine or redefine its relations with both the United States and China. To sum up, the essay will attempt to understand the American strategic interests in this proximity with India. Between, nuclear deal and will to balance China, the United States does not lack reasons to cultivate such relationship. But at the end, who is the most useful to the other, the United States or India? The rise of India The Republic of India, with its 1.1 billion inhabitants and 1.1 million square miles, possesses the second largest population in the world, after China, and is the seventh largest country in geographical area (Wikipedia 2006). [...]
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