Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris offer two distinct visions for U.S. foreign policy: Trump’s “America First” approach and Harris’s commitment to liberal internationalism. But here’s the rub—neither vision is likely to result in a significant enhancement of the India-U.S. strategic relationship.
On the one hand, Trump’s transactional diplomacy and tolerance of India’s ties with Russia, as well as its membership in the anti-U.S., counter-hegemonic BRICS coalition, may avoid immediate conflict, but will fail to elevate the partnership to a more strategic level. On the other hand, Harris’s focus on human rights and a tougher stance on India’s relationship with Russia and BRICS could create friction, particularly given India’s insistence on maintaining its strategic autonomy.
Both candidates, however, have one thing in common. They overlook the deeper structural issues—from ongoing trade disputes to India’s domestic political trajectory—that continue to impede a more meaningful and enduring India-U.S. alliance.
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