India, officially the Republic of India, is a country located in South Asia. But beyond its geographical coordinates, India is a vibrant nation playing an increasingly significant role on the world stage, particularly in its strategic partnership with the United States. This article delves into the multifaceted relationship between the U.S. and India, highlighting their shared values, economic ties, and international cooperation.
The U.S.-India strategic partnership is built upon a foundation of shared democratic values and a commitment to a rules-based international system. Both nations recognize the importance of global security, stability, and economic prosperity, fostering these goals through robust trade, investment, and interconnectedness. The commitment to these principles has been consistently reaffirmed at the highest levels, including meetings between leaders such as then-President Biden and Prime Minister Modi. Their discussions have emphasized a resilient international order that respects sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democratic ideals, while promoting widespread peace and prosperity. Furthermore, the leaders have actively engaged in platforms like the Quad Leaders mechanism, alongside Japan and Australia, underscoring the collaborative approach to regional and global issues.
The United States strongly supports India’s growth as a leading global power and views it as an essential partner in maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity within the Indo-Pacific region. This partnership is significantly strengthened by the deep people-to-people connections between the two countries. The Indian American diaspora, numbering around four million, and the dynamic educational exchanges serve as a powerful bridge, enriching the strategic alliance. The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, involving the U.S. Secretaries of State and Defense and their Indian counterparts, stands as the primary and recurring platform for bilateral discussions. The fourth iteration of this dialogue, hosted by the United States in April 2022, further solidified the commitment to cooperation across various sectors. Beyond the 2+2 Dialogue, the U.S. and India engage in numerous bilateral dialogues and working groups, covering a vast spectrum of human activity. These collaborations range from space exploration and health initiatives to energy solutions and advanced technology trade. Key examples include the U.S.-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group, established in 2000, the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership, the Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue, the Cyber Dialogue, the Civil Space Working Group, the Education and Skills Development Working Group, the Trade Policy Forum, the Defense Policy Group, and the Counternarcotics Working Group. These diverse partnerships illustrate the breadth and depth of the cooperative spirit between the two nations.
Economic Relations
The economic ties between the U.S. and India are robust and growing. In 2021, the total bilateral trade in goods and services reached a record high of $157 billion. The United States is currently India’s largest trading partner and its most significant export market, highlighting the strong economic interdependence. Many U.S. companies view India as a vital and expanding market, increasing their operational presence within the country. Conversely, Indian companies are actively seeking to expand their footprint in U.S. markets. By the end of 2020, Indian investments in the United States totaled approximately $12.7 billion, contributing to over 70,000 American jobs. Furthermore, the presence of nearly 200,000 Indian students in the United States contributes significantly to the U.S. economy, injecting an estimated $7.7 billion annually. This educational exchange not only strengthens economic ties but also fosters intellectual and cultural exchange, further solidifying the bilateral relationship.
International Cooperation
India and the United States maintain close collaboration within various multilateral organizations. These include prominent bodies such as the United Nations, the G-20, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization. The United States expressed its support for India’s two-year term on the UN Security Council starting in 2021 and advocates for a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member, recognizing India’s growing global influence. India is an active ASEAN dialogue partner, a partner of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and holds observer status at the Organization of American States, demonstrating its engagement across diverse international platforms. Together with Australia and Japan, the United States and India form the Quad, a group dedicated to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region and delivering tangible benefits to the area. In June 2022, the Quad nations finalized the selection process for the inaugural Quad Fellows program, which provides an opportunity for 100 students—25 from each Quad country—to pursue master’s or doctoral degrees in STEM fields in the United States. India is also among the twelve nations partnering with the United States in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), aimed at enhancing economic connectivity, resilience, cleanliness, and fairness within the region. Furthermore, India is a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), where the United States participates as a dialogue partner. In 2021, the United States joined the International Solar Alliance, headquartered in India, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable energy cooperation. In 2022, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power assumed the role of Co-chair of the Governing Council of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), where India holds a permanent co-chair position, highlighting joint efforts in building resilience to disasters.
Bilateral Representation
For those seeking direct engagement, the U.S. embassy in India provides a range of services and information. Details regarding principal U.S. embassy officials can be found on the embassy website and the Department’s Key Officers List.
India also maintains a significant diplomatic presence in the United States. The Indian embassy is located at 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, and can be contacted at (tel. 202-939-7000).
For those interested in further exploration of India and U.S.-India relations, a wealth of resources is available from the Department of State and other reputable sources, including:
- CIA World Factbook India Page
- U.S. Embassy
- USAID India Page
- CDC India Page
- History of U.S. Relations With India
- Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Country Page
- U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
- Export.gov International Offices Page
- Library of Congress Country Studies
- Travel Information
