Navigating trust and strategic autonomy: The evolving dynamics of India-US relations
Last week, speaking at the Defense News Conclave: Stories of US-India Defense and Security Partnership in New Delhi, the US envoy to India, Eric Garcetti invoking the qualities of “trusted friends” remarked that the bilateral relationship is still “not yet deep enough” to be taken for granted and emphasised that “there is no such thing as strategic autonomy” during a conflict.
Garcetti stressed that in times of conflict, strategic autonomy gives way to the necessity of acting together as trusted friends, understanding each other's equipment, training, systems, and even as human beings.
These remarks were played up by some in the media linking it with the recent visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia since the outbreak of the Ukraine war. During this visit, Modi sought to advance trade relations and reinforce her friendship with Russia, even as Western nations, including the US, have been implementing stringent economic sanctions against Russia. This move by India was seen as a strategic effort to balance its long-standing alliance with Russia in the backdrop of its growing ties with the West. This effort is certainly akin to tight rope walking, with its own pluses and minuses.
The Government of India’s Ministry of External Affairs rightly reacted to Garcetti’s remarks that, “India, like many other countries, values its 'strategic autonomy'. The US Ambassador is entitled to his opinion. Obviously, we have different views”.
One of the objectives of this two-day conclave with the journalists
