Opinion: The Biden Years-Telangana Today

The Indo-US relations under Biden shifted into a new era of mature, multifaceted cooperation

By Dr Areeba Ahsanat Moazzam, Akhil Kumar, Anudeep Gujjeti

With the United States electing a new President, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the growing engagement between India and the US in the last four years under President Joseph Biden. Though India barely finds a mention in electoral campaigning, the relationship enjoys bipartisan consensus across the political spectrum in both nations and remains strong irrespective of the electoral outcome. In the last three decades, the relationship has deepened and flourished under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

Over the post-Cold War years, the two estranged democracies evolved into engaged democracies and have strengthened their ties in areas of technology, shared geopolitical interests, defence, and other key strategic areas, especially regarding the Indo-Pacific region. In American diplomacy to counter/balance China’s rise in the region, India is a strategic partner to the US. The mutual collaboration between the oldest and largest democracies of the world is of interest not just to the citizens of these countries but also to states in the Indo-Pacific region.

Some key strategic areas where India and the US have collaborated and strengthened ties are defence and technology, Indo-Pacific strategy and immigration and talent exchange. The aftermath of the pandemic, which began in 2020, continued into 2021 during Biden’s presidency. This period also witnessed the US’ unilateral withdrawal from Afghanistan and the onset of two major conflicts — the Russia-Ukraine war in Europe and the Israel-Hamas war in West Asia. These events triggered significant supply chain disruptions, causing ripple effects across the global economy. Throughout this turbulent phase in global politics, the resilience of the Indo-US relationship was tested as both nations navigated unprecedented challenges.

Defence and Technology

After the end of the Cold War, a major pillar that has sustained the momentum of Indo-US ties is the burgeoning defence relationship. Under Obama’s presidency, India was designated as a Major Defense Partner by the US and was elevated to Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) under Donald Trump’s presidency. Undoubtedly, one of the cornerstones of Biden’s presidency in strengthening Indo-US bilateral ties has been the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), launched in January 2023. This initiative seeks to bolster cooperation in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and defence technology. It will also boost India’s national capabilities in expanding sectors such as semiconductors and jet engine production.

The significance of this is profound: for India, it represents a key strategic move to modernise its military and defence capabilities. For the US, it is a crucial partnership to counterbalance Chinese technological and military rise in the Indo-Pacific. India, traditionally reliant on Russian defence imports during the Cold War years, has been diversifying its defence partnerships since the early 1990s with various countries, and the US has emerged as one of its largest suppliers. From Apache helicopters to advanced drones, these agreements underscore India’s growing reliance on American military hardware.

Biden leaned into India’s growing global influence, especially on matters like climate change

But the relationship extends beyond purchases — India is keen on developing its own defence tech capabilities. By fostering collaboration between Indian startups and US firms, the two countries are laying the groundwork for joint innovation in cutting-edge defence technologies. In June 2023, an agreement was signed between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and GE Aerospace to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force by putting an end to a technology-denial regime which began after India’s nuclear tests in Pokhran in 1998. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Washington resulted in a landmark deal where the US, for the first time, agreed to transfer sensitive military technology to India, not even offered to its alliance partners.

Indo-Pacific Strategy

A defining feature of Biden’s foreign policy in Asia has been the continuity in the revival of the Quad — the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which began by Donald Trump consisting of the US, India, Japan and Australia. With Chinese assertiveness rising in the Indo-Pacific, the Quad has become a critical forum for promoting a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” While some ignore the Quad as merely symbolic, its importance lies in the convergence of strategic interests. India, with its geographic location and military capabilities, is seen as the lynchpin of this alliance.

In 2022, they (Quad) introduced the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) to provide real-time, affordable maritime information to regional partners. Recently, through the Wilmington Declaration, the Quad nations announced a new programme called the Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), which will help partners make better use of the tools offered by IPMDA and other Quad initiatives. Additionally, it was revealed that the American, Japanese, Australian and Indian coast guards would conduct their first joint “Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission” in 2025, aimed at enhancing maritime safety and improving cooperation at sea.

Biden and Modi

While Biden and Modi may not share the personal camaraderie that characterises Modi’s relationship with Donald Trump, their partnership has been marked by mutual respect and pragmatism. Biden has leaned into India’s growing global influence, especially on matters like climate change, where both nations have pledged to lead international efforts through the India-US Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership. This partnership reflects not only a commitment to reducing carbon emissions but also cooperation in clean energy technologies, a space where both nations see economic and strategic benefits.

Economically, Biden’s India policy has been more pragmatic than ideological. While there has been some friction, particularly over trade imbalances, Biden has taken a softer stance compared to Trump’s aggressive tariffs. Both countries continue to work through issues related to market access and intellectual property, with growing trade and investment in sectors like technology and pharmaceuticals.

A key issue that has also evolved under Biden is the approach to immigration, particularly the H-1B visa programme, which affects thousands of Indian professionals. Biden’s administration has been more favourable toward easing restrictions on skilled immigration, a sharp contrast to Trump’s crackdown on work visas.

A Mature, Strategic Partnership

The Biden-Modi years have seen a relationship built not on spectacle but substantive cooperation. The defence and technology partnership has expanded significantly, while shared geopolitical concerns, such as belligerent China, have drawn India and the US closer in the Indo-Pacific.

As both nations continue to navigate the complexities of global geopolitics, this partnership appears poised to deepen further, with mutual strategic benefits that go beyond the immediate. Biden’s steady hand and Modi’s strategic outlook have quietly but decisively shifted Indo-US relations into a new era of mature, multifaceted cooperation.

(Dr Areeba Ahsanat Moazzam is Assistant Professor, School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, Woxsen University. Akhil Kumar has a PhD from Department of Political Science, University of Hyderabad. Anudeep Gujjeti is Assistant Professor, Centre of Excellence for Geopolitics and International Studies, Reva University, Bengaluru)