US-India Relations: Ally and Adversary – Washington's Complex Dance with Delhi

• The US has historically maintained a 'blow hot, blow cold' relationship with India, using Pakistan and economic sanctions to keep India off-balance since 1947.
• US hostility peaked during the 1971 Bangladesh War and after India's 1998 Pokhran nuclear test, leading to sanctions.
• By 2020, US policymakers recognized India's potential as the world's third-largest economy, aiming to pull it from China's orbit.
• The Trump presidency views India as a future rival, not just an ally, despite its growing economic power and democratic values.
• Experts like David Rubenstein predict India could become the world's largest economy in 20-30 years, posing a new challenge to US global economic dominance.

Why It Matters: US-India relations are a complex mix of alliance and rivalry, driven by India's rising economic power.