India-US Relations: Historical Overview and Key Events

India-US Relations: A Historical Overview

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a three-day visit to the United States.

• The visit is significant as it highlights the strengthening relationship between India and the US.

• In an interview before leaving for New York, PM Modi emphasized the deepening ties between the two countries.

• India and the US have been invited for this "state visit" by President Joe Biden, a privilege extended to only a few leaders during his tenure.

• Prior to PM Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Moon Jae-in were invited for state visits.

• The timing of PM Modi's visit is crucial, as tensions between the US and Russia over the Ukraine conflict continue to escalate.

• President Biden has previously criticized India's stance on Russia, but this is not the first time that relations between India and the US have faced challenges.

• Previous instances, such as the 1971 India-Pakistan war and India's nuclear tests, have strained the relationship between the two countries.

• India-US relations were strong from independence until 1965.

• In 1949, India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, visited the United States and met with President Harry S. Truman.

• In 1959, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower visited India and met with President Rajendra Prasad and Prime Minister Nehru.

• During the 1962 India-China war, Prime Minister Nehru sought assistance from the United States by writing a letter to President John F. Kennedy. The US provided support during the conflict.India-US Relations: From Support to Strained Ties

• India supported the MacMahon Line as the border with China.

• In 1965, India and Pakistan went to war, resulting in closer strategic and military relations between India and the US.

• The third war between India and Pakistan occurred in 1971, leading to the formation of Bangladesh and evidence of Pakistani army's violence against its own citizens in East Pakistan.

• Despite this, the US sided with Islamabad, while Russia stood with India during the conflict.

• India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974 and became the first country, apart from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, to declare nuclear capability.

• The US did not appreciate this step taken by India and opposed it, leading to deteriorating relations between the two countries.

• In 1978, US President Jimmy Carter visited India and held meetings with Indian President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy and Prime Minister Morarji Desai.

• Later that year, Desai visited the US for a six-day trip, during which the Carter administration introduced the Nuclear Nonproliferation Act.

• India refused to sign the act, resulting in the US cutting off any form of nuclear assistance to India.

• In 1982, Indira Gandhi visited the US to improve relations between the two countries, and during her visit, she met with US President Ronald Reagan.

• Both leaders agreed to enhance cooperation and resolve the nuclear energy dispute.

• In 1999, when India conducted nuclear tests, the US opposed it and imposed various sanctions on India under President Bill Clinton.Bilateral Relations between India and the United States

• Kargil War took place between India and Pakistan, resulting in a weakened position for Pakistan and a request for assistance from then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to US President Clinton.

• After US intervention, India halted its attacks on Pakistan.

• In March 2000, President Bill Clinton visited India, marking the first visit by a US President since 1978 and initiating a renewed improvement in relations between India and the US.

• The year 2001 was significant for US-India relations, with the administration of President George W. Bush lifting all American sanctions imposed on India after its nuclear tests in 1998. This led to further improvement in bilateral relations.

• In 2005, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited India, during which discussions on energy security between India and the US began.

• In June of the same year, India and the US signed a new framework for defense relations, covering issues such as maritime security, humanitarian assistance-disaster relief, and counterterrorism.

• During President George W. Bush's tenure, the US and India signed the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative. Under the agreement, India agreed to separate its military and civilian nuclear facilities and subject all its civilian resources to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. In return, the US agreed to work towards full civilian nuclear cooperation with India.

• In 2006, President George W. Bush visited India, during which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh finalized the contours of the Civil Nuclear Agreement and emphasized security and economic ties. In July 2007, this nuclear agreement was completed, making India the only country outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) with nuclear capabilities and permission to participate in nuclear commerce.

• In April 2007, the first shipment of Indian mangoes arrived in the US, marking the end of an 18-year ban on fruit imports. This ban was lifted as part of a bilateral understanding signed in 2006 by President Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to enhance trade between the two countries.

• In response, India granted the US access to its markets for Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

• In 2009, the US and India signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in the field of clean energy.

• In 2016, the US designated India as a "Major Defense Partner," signaling a further deepening of defense ties between the two countries.India-US Relations: Key Events and Milestones

• In 2008, restrictions on the import of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were relaxed.

• In 2008, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) issued guidelines allowing India to engage in nuclear trade for the first time in three decades.

• In November 2009, US President Barack Obama hosted Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a state visit.

• In 2010, India and the US participated in their first official US-India Strategic Dialogue, with high-level representatives from both countries visiting Washington, D.C.

• During the dialogue, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised India as a crucial partner.

• President Obama stated that these relations would be a defining partnership of the 21st century.

• In the same year, President Obama visited India and addressed the Indian Parliament, expressing support for India's permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.

• The economic relations between the two countries improved during this visit, with the announcement of a $14.9 billion trade deal.

• In 2013, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Washington, D.C. for his final trip as prime minister, discussing security, trade, climate change, and civil nuclear agreements.

• In 2014, Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India after the BJP-led NDA coalition won the general elections.

• Despite a visa ban following the Gujarat riots, Modi was welcomed to the White House by President Obama, who praised him and lifted the visa restrictions.

• In September 2014, Prime Minister Modi made his first visit to the US, focusing on attracting investment and strengthening the US-India strategic partnership.

In 2015, President Obama made his second visit to India, attending the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest and stating that the US could be India's best partner.

• In 2016, Prime Minister Modi visited the US again, and President Obama referred to India as a major defense partner.
• In June 2017, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Modi held a meeting at the White House.

Explore the historical timeline and significant events shaping the relationship between India and the United States, from early diplomatic interactions to modern-day strategic partnerships. Learn about key milestones, conflicts, agreements, and high-level visits that have influenced the bilateral ties between the two nations.