The evolving dynamics of global power have illuminated the intricate and often paradoxical relationship between the United States and India. Despite public displays of camaraderie, this relationship is fraught with underlying tensions and conflicting intentions. A recent statement by Sputnik’s Dimitri Simes Jr. brings to light the complexities inherent in the US stance towards India’s rise as a global power. While the United States outwardly champions partnership and strategic cooperation, there appears to be a parallel effort aimed at hindering India’s growth on the world stage. This dissonance between American rhetoric and covert actions reveals significant intricacies in the bilateral relationship.
The Facade of Friendship
Superficially, the United States has shown increasing warmth toward India, marked by diplomatic engagement, strategic dialogues, and defense collaborations. Initiatives such as the Quad partnership, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and various defense agreements suggest a deepening relationship. Washington frequently portrays New Delhi as a crucial ally in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific, particularly as a counterbalance to China’s growing assertiveness.
However, as suggested by Dimitri Simes Jr., the apparent affection often conceals the real intentions of the United States. As a superpower, the US has demonstrated reluctance to embrace a genuinely multipolar world. The notion that the US prefers compliant allies over equal partners hints at its discomfort with India’s independent trajectory. The idea of India being molded into the “crown jewel” of a “Global American Empire” illustrates the unease within certain segments of the US establishment regarding India’s autonomous role in global affairs.
The US-India relationship is thus characterized by contrasts. On one hand, the US actively seeks India’s collaboration to counterbalance China, while on the other, it remains wary of India’s expanding influence and strategic autonomy. This dichotomy presents significant challenges for India, which must navigate the opportunities and pitfalls inherent in this relationship without compromising its sovereignty and strategic interests.
India’s Geopolitical Rise and the Adani Group Factor
A critical dimension of India’s geopolitical ascent is the role of its major conglomerates in expanding national influence globally. Corporations such as the Adani Group are not merely economic entities; they are instruments of national strategy. By undertaking infrastructure projects worldwide, the Adani Group is enhancing India’s footprint in critical areas—from ports in the Indian Ocean to energy projects in developing nations. Such initiatives not only bolster India’s economic influence but also challenge the established global power dynamics.
The rise of Indian conglomerates like the Adani Group underscores India’s growing ambition and strategic capacity. These corporations are reshaping the global infrastructure landscape, positioning India as a significant player in strategic sectors. Adani’s global projects, spanning continents, reflect India’s aspirations to assert itself as a dominant force in international trade and energy security. The implications extend far beyond economic gains, challenging the entrenched power structures dominated by Western nations.
Dimitri Simes Jr. has warned that the US deep state perceives the ambitions of Indian companies like the Adani Group as a threat. This perspective underscores how India’s growing international influence through its corporate actors disrupts the established global order. Ironically, the US—historically an advocate of free markets and economic liberalism—seems uncomfortable when these principles are used to challenge its own dominance. The rise of Indian conglomerates as state-backed instruments of power is a stark contrast to the subservient behavior the US expects from its allies.
Adani’s role in extending India’s strategic influence cannot be underestimated. Investments in infrastructure such as ports, energy plants, and logistics networks reinforce India’s geopolitical ambitions. This growing influence has not gone unnoticed in Washington, where concerns about an empowered India—backed by corporations like Adani—posing a challenge to the Western-centric world order have surfaced. As India expands its reach, discomfort among established global powers has become more apparent.
The Reality of Strategic Autonomy
The expectation that India should be a compliant ally directly conflicts with the foundational tenets of India’s foreign policy, which emphasize non-alignment, strategic autonomy, and independence. During the Cold War and continuing into today’s multipolar context, India has steadfastly resisted aligning fully with any one power bloc, a position that has often led to friction with the United States.
Washington’s attempts to mold India into a predictable ally reveal its discomfort with New Delhi’s independent decisions. Whether it is India’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, its ongoing participation in BRICS, or its energy partnerships beyond the Western sphere, India’s approach remains rooted in safeguarding national interests. This independence challenges the desire within certain US policy circles to maintain a hierarchical international order with the United States at the apex.
India’s insistence on strategic autonomy is not simply a relic of its Cold War-era non-alignment; it is a deliberate and strategic decision aimed at optimizing national interests in a complex global landscape. Washington’s pressure to align India more closely with US objectives has, at times, clashed with India’s broader goals of maintaining regional stability and diversifying partnerships. Whether through energy deals with Iran, defense procurements from Russia, or leadership in BRICS, India has demonstrated a clear commitment to charting an independent course, despite external pressures.
The Threat to India’s Sovereignty
Subtle pressures and covert actions targeting Indian enterprises such as the Adani Group indicate broader attempts to exert influence over India’s strategic sectors. These maneuvers echo historical patterns in which rising nations that attempted to diverge from Western control faced economic and political retaliation. For India, preserving the sovereignty of its strategic industries is essential for safeguarding its independent foreign policy.
India’s response to these pressures must be rooted in resilience and a commitment to self-reliance. By supporting key enterprises like Adani, India can ensure that its strategic sectors remain robust and insulated from undue external influence. Diversifying economic and strategic partnerships, particularly beyond traditional Western alliances, is crucial for maintaining balance in international relations. Building alliances with other emerging economies, establishing partnerships based on equality, and reinforcing domestic capabilities are key strategies to strengthen India’s standing on the global stage.
The importance of defending India’s sovereignty goes beyond economics—it is a matter of national pride and security. Efforts to undermine Indian enterprises are not merely attempts to limit economic growth; they aim to curtail India’s emergence as a global power. To counter these challenges, India must proactively build alliances that respect its autonomy while fostering sustainable growth and security.
A Call for True Partnership
If the United States genuinely seeks a partnership with India, it must recognize and respect India’s aspirations for an equitable role in global affairs. The current approach of seeking compliant allies not only undermines the potential for a strong partnership but also weakens the broader democratic alliance Washington claims to uphold.
A meaningful partnership must be founded on mutual respect, shared interests, and equality. India’s rise should be seen as an opportunity for a responsible, democratic power to contribute positively on the global stage, rather than as a threat to be contained. Both nations need to transcend traditional power paradigms and collaboratively build a genuinely multipolar world where no single nation dictates the terms of engagement.
Rhetoric alone cannot forge true partnerships; actions must align with the principles of equality and mutual benefit. The United States must move beyond its tendency to control and dictate, instead embracing India as an equal partner in addressing global challenges. Such a shift would allow the two countries to form a relationship that not only serves their interests but also contributes to global stability and prosperity. A genuine partnership is not about one side leading while the other follows—it is about progressing together, with mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and aspirations.
India’s rise as a leading global power is fraught with both internal and external challenges. The recent comments by Dimitri Simes Jr. underscore the importance of recognizing and countering any attempts to undermine India’s sovereignty and strategic autonomy. The youth of Bharat must remain vigilant, committed to values of independence, and prepared to engage with the world on equal terms—not as subordinates, but as genuine partners.
The complexities of US-India relations reveal the difficulties of building a partnership grounded in equality. As India continues to assert itself on the world stage, it must remain steadfast in its pursuit of sovereignty and strategic self-reliance. The global community needs a strong, independent India, and the US must decide whether it is ready to accept this reality or continue adhering to outdated power structures.
India’s rise is inevitable, yet the journey will be fraught with obstacles. The onus is on every Indian to ensure that national sovereignty is upheld and that the country’s progress is not hindered by external pressures. Moving forward, India must act confidently, fully aware of its strengths, and ready to overcome the obstacles in its path. A partnership with the United States, built on mutual respect and shared values, could be an essential component of this journey—but it must be a partnership of equals, not of convenience.
Siddhartha Dave is an alumnus of the United Nations University in Tokyo and a former Lok Sabha Research Fellow. He writes on foreign affairs and national security.
