THE US INTEREST IN INDIA AND INDO-US RELATIONS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE ERA 1947-9/11

Abstract

This article recounts the US`s interest actually on India, as well tries to contextualize the historical development of the Indo- US relations during the period 1947 to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It contends that during the era of Cold War, the American interest to prevent the spread of global communism was faced with an Indian regional interest. This was evident from India’s Adoption of Non-aligned foreign policy, which helped India build amicable relations with the Soviet Union. The post-Cold War Era saw a US that was poised to pursue its traditional values in the world following the collapse and subsequent disintegration of its major rival. This interest then helped enhance stronger Indo-US relations. What constrained the relationship has been India’s non-aligned foreign policy, which it pursued under the Nehru Era, and its association with the Soviet Union. Over the post-Cold War such changes were buoyed by increasing recognition by the US and India of the similarity of their economic and strategic interests. India became of great value to the US geostrategic and geo-economics ambitions in the region more so in the 1990s as a possible balance against China. Qualitative approach was utilized in conducting research. The study importantly breaks the silence of most scholars in the discipline of international relations and in particular those students and scholars who concentrate on the India US relations and the consequences it has.

Keywords: Cold War, Non-Alignment, Non-Proliferation, Disarmament, Neutrality