The relationship between India and America during President Donald J. Trump‘s tenure (2017-2021) experienced significant developments, particularly in defence, trade, and counterterrorism cooperation. Despite some points of contention, both nations sought to strengthen their ties and enhance bilateral cooperation across various domains. This article delves into the key milestones of India-America relations under Trump’s leadership, including defence agreements, trade issues, and diplomatic engagements.
India-America Relations During Trump’s Tenure
Trump’s visit to India and the diplomatic efforts that followed demonstrated the mutual desire to build a strong and strategic partnership. Nevertheless, the lack of progress on key trade issues and the handling of sensitive domestic issues, such as the citizenship law violence, highlighted the complexities of international relations between the two nations. Despite these challenges, the groundwork laid during Trump’s tenure set the stage for continued cooperation and dialogue in the years to come, particularly under the leadership of Joe Biden, who succeeded Trump as U.S. President.
1. Strengthening Defense Ties
- “Two-Plus-Two” Dialogue: In 2018, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis held talks with Indian officials in New Delhi.
- COMCASA Agreement: India and the U.S. signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), allowing real-time information sharing between their militaries and access to advanced communication technology used in U.S. defense equipment.
- Significance: This agreement marked a key milestone in defense cooperation, aligning both countries’ strategic interests, particularly in countering China’s influence and regional security challenges.
2. Trump Ends India’s Preferential Trade Status
- Termination of GSP: In 2019, the Trump administration ended India’s special trade status under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which allowed Indian products to enter the U.S. duty-free.
- Reason for Termination: Trump argued that India had not provided “equitable and reasonable access” to its own market for U.S. goods.
- India’s Response: In retaliation, India imposed tariffs on 28 U.S. products like almonds and apples, increasing trade tensions.
- Trade Talks: Despite ongoing discussions, the two countries could not reach an agreement on key trade issues, including agriculture, tariffs, and intellectual property.
3. Trump’s Visit to India in 2020
- Massive Rally in Ahmedabad: President Trump visited India in February 2020, where he attended a rally with over 100,000 people in Ahmedabad, praising PM Modi‘s leadership and the U.S.-India relationship.
- Key Announcements:
- Defense Deals: India agreed to purchase $3 billion worth of U.S. military equipment.
- Energy Cooperation: ExxonMobil signed a deal with Indian Oil Corporation to strengthen energy ties between the two nations.
- Diplomatic Engagement: Both leaders discussed areas of mutual interest like counterterrorism, mental health, and counternarcotics.
4. Internal Issues in India During Trump’s Visit
- Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): During Trump’s visit, India witnessed violence linked to the controversial CAA, which grants citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries.
- Trump’s Silence on the Issue: Despite the violence and protests, Trump did not publicly comment on the issue or take a firm stance on the law, which led to criticism both in India and internationally.
- Diplomatic Strategy: Trump’s decision to avoid commenting on sensitive domestic issues during foreign visits reflected his diplomatic strategy of not interfering in a host country’s internal matters.
5. Ongoing Trade and Economic Issues
- Trade Disputes: While defense ties improved, significant trade disputes remained unresolved, particularly regarding agricultural products, tariffs, and the GSP program.
- Economic Cooperation: Despite challenges, both countries made efforts to enhance economic relations, but a comprehensive trade agreement was not reached during Trump’s presidency.
6. Other Diplomatic Engagements
- U.S.-India Strategic Partnership: The two countries continued to emphasize their shared strategic and security interests, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Collaboration on Counterterrorism: India and the U.S. continued their cooperation on counterterrorism efforts, especially in the fight against terrorist organizations operating in the region.
- China’s Growing Influence: Both India and the U.S. shared concerns about China’s expansionist policies in the Indo-Pacific region and worked together on strengthening defense and economic ties to counterbalance China’s influence.
7. Impact of Trump’s Presidency on U.S.-India Relations
- Positive Developments: Defense cooperation, economic engagement, and shared security interests in the Indo-Pacific region marked a strong phase of bilateral relations during Trump’s tenure.
- Tensions over Trade: Despite the strong defense ties, unresolved trade issues, particularly the termination of India’s preferential trade status and tariffs, created tensions.
- Shortcomings: Trump’s presidency did not lead to a resolution of major trade disputes, and his lack of comment on sensitive issues like the CAA violence reflected a cautious approach to handling internal affairs in India.
8. Legacy of Trump’s India Policy
- Stronger Defense Ties: The COMCASA agreement and increased military sales demonstrated a positive shift in defense relations.
- Unresolved Trade Challenges: Trade disputes, particularly over tariffs and the GSP program, remained unresolved.
- Diplomatic Engagement: Trump’s presidency solidified U.S.-India ties in terms of defense and security cooperation, although it faced challenges in economic and trade relations.