Strategic Shadowboxing in India–U.S. Relations: A Decadal Review (2014–2024)
Keywords:
Barack Obama, Donald Trump, foreign policy, India–U.S. relations, Indo-Pacific, Joe Biden, Modi–Trump relations, strategic partnership, trade conflictsAbstract
This article aims to analyze the trajectory of India–U.S. relations over the decade from 2014 to 2024, with a focus on key developments, outcomes, and prospects of the bilateral partnership. During this period, the strategic relationship between the two countries evolved significantly, influenced by economic interests, political priorities, and shared ideological concerns. The formation of a strategic alliance progressed across different phases, shaped largely by converging interests in regional stability
and global governance. However, the relationship was not without constraints. India’s pursuit of an independent and sovereign foreign policy, coupled with U.S. reluctance on certain strategic and trade-related issues, occasionally created disagreements and policy friction. The paper examines the distinctive features that define contemporary India–U.S. relations, highlighting how mutual concerns –particularly regarding China’s growing influence – have contributed to the gradual strengthening of ties. A comparative analysis of the three U.S. administrations reveals notable variations in approach: President Obama emphasized defense cooperation and strategic partnerships; President Trump adopted a transactional, deal-oriented approach; while President Biden renewed emphasis on multilateralism, institutional frameworks, and alliance-based diplomacy. The study employs a theoretical framework grounded in international relations theories to analyze policy continuity and change under the administrations of Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. The findings suggest that while policy intent and strategic vision are crucial, the real measure of success in India–U.S. relations lies in effective policy implementation.
References
Agrawal S. India and the United States: A new partnership. Int Spect. 2011;46(2):57-73. doi:
1080/03932729.2011.576171.
Aiyar S, Chen J, Ebeke C, Garcia-Saltos R. Geo-economic fragmentation and the future of
multilateralism. Washington (DC): Int Monet Fund; 2023.
Anas O. India–West Asia relations under the “nationalist” Modi government. Int Stud.
;58(1):59-79. doi: 10.1177/0020881720984324.
Anderson S. August jobs report shows 1.1 million decline in foreign-born workers since start of
Trump administration. Natl Found Am Policy. 2025 Sep 5.
Babu RR. On the legality of the United States action of terminating India’s GSP status. Foreign
Trade Rev. 2020;55(1):119-29. doi: 10.1177/0015732519886795.
Baig MA, Ali A, Waheed A. Analysing the first I2U2 summit. 2022.
White House. Speeches and remarks. Available from: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-
room/speeches-.
Baranidharan S, M D. What a U.S. visa shift would mean for India? The H-1B reckoning. 2025.
Basu S. India–USA geo-economic convergence: A transition from economic illiberalism to
economic diplomacy. World Res Polit Sci J. 2020;3(1):43. doi: 10.18576/WRPSJ/030104.
Beretta S, Berkofsky A. India’s foreign policy and economic challenges: Friends, enemies and
controversies. Cham: Springer Nature; 2023.
Bhattacharya S. India-US relations under the Biden administration. Int Foreign Aff J.
;15(4):312-9. doi: 10.2307/48630196.
Blank S. The geostrategic implications of the Indo-American strategic partnership. India Rev.
;6(1):1-24. doi: 10.1080/14736480601172667.
Bown CP. Trump’s mini-trade war with India. Peterson Inst Int Econ. 2019 Jul 8.
Business Today. President Trump slams India on trade, says it imposes “high tariffs” on American
products. 2019 Apr 29.
Chaurasia P. India, US and 2+2 dialogue format. Int J Law Policy Soc Rev. 2023;5(4):193-6.
Eichengreen B. Why hasn’t the impact of the trade war been greater? J Policy Model.
;42(4):820-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpolmod.2020.03.007.
Gul A, Hussain M, Imran S, Rehman AU, Haider SA. Assessing various opportunities and
challenges in India-US strategic partnership. J Legal Ethical Regul Issues. 2021;24(1).
Gul S, Akhtar N. US-India bilateral relations during the Trump and Biden administrations: the
China factor. J Polit Stab Arch. 2025;3(3):1098-1116.
doi: 10.63468/jpsa.3.3.75.
Gupta S. Economic nationalism and India-US trade relations during the Modi-Trump years. India
Rev. 2023;22(2):128-38. doi: 10.1080/14736489.2023.2180912.
Haenle P. A comparative analysis of the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy vs. the Trump
administration’s. East Asian Policy. 2022;14:56-70.
Iqbal BA, Turray AM, Sami S. Impact of Indo-US trade on India’s economic growth: An empirical
analysis. Transnatl Corp Rev. 2017;9(1):8-15. doi: 10.1080/19186444.2017.1290918.
Jain BM. Upward graph in strategic ties between India and the United States: implications for Asian
security architecture. Indian J Asian Aff. 2016;29(1):1-16.
Jakubik A, Ruta M. Trading with friends in uncertain times. J Policy Model. 2023;45(4):768-80.
doi: 10.1016/j.jpolmod.2023.06.009.
Kumar S. How Modi changed the India–US relationship. East Asia Forum. 2016 May 10.
Kumar S. India’s G20 presidency as a voice of Global South. RIS. 2024.
Kumar V, Chand P. India-US relations: Deepening strategic partnership revisit for the 21st century.
LASU J Hist Int Stud. 2025.
Leonova O, Khatri J. Strategic partnership between India and the United States: Examining driving
and restraining forces. Vestn MGIMO-Univ. 2023;16(3):180-98. doi:10.24833/2071-8160-2023-3-
-180-198.
Mahmud KU. Modi-Biden summit 2023: what are the major takeaways for Indo-US bilateral
relations? Geopolitics. 2023.
McKenzie L. Biden administration updates visa programs for STEM workers. Am Inst Phys. 2025 Jan 10.
Métivier J, Bacchetta M, Bekkers E, Koopman R. International trade cooperation’s impact on the
world economy. J Policy Model. 2023;45(4):713-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jpolmod.2023.06.007.
Ministry of External Affairs (IN). Joint statement on the fourth India-U.S. 2+2 ministerial dialogue.
Apr 12.
MoEA. Visit of Prime Minister to USA (June 25-26, 2017). 2017 Jun 12.
Nahak D. India’s G-20 presidency and changing world order. Int J Prof Dev. 2023;12(1):60-5.
NDTV. Highlights: PM Modi reaches New York to address 76th UN General Assembly session.
Sep.
Palit A, Mukherjee D. India’s tariffs and implications for Indo-US trade prospects. 2019. Available
from: https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/south-central-asia/india
Paripiani K. Understanding India–US trade. ORF Issue Brief. 2020;339.
Prayaga M. Assessing the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework in economic integration and
geopolitical strategy. TIJER. 2025;12(3).
Rajgopalan RP. Logistics pact with US: why LEMOA is significant for India. Observer Res Found.
Aug 31.
Reuters. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Washington. 2023 Jun.
Roy D, Klobucista C, Cheatham A. The U.S. immigration debate. Council on Foreign Relations.
Aug 7.
Saha K. Doctor-patient relationship and public trust in health science in post-COVID world:
Lessons from USA and India. Med Res Arch. 2021;9(8).
Shaker SA. The impact of trade facilitation inequality on bilateral trade: The case of India–Middle East–
Europe economic corridor (IMEC). J Shipp Trade. 2025;10(1). doi: 10.1186/s41072-025-00192-5.
Singh AK. The Modi-Biden dynamic for next steps in India-U.S. relations. Carnegie Endowment
Int Peace. 2023 Jun 16.
Singh AP. Performance of foreign trade in India in the post-liberalisation era. Int J Humanit Soc
Sci Educ. 2014;1(10):2349.
Taimoor M, Mustafa G, Akram MR, Anwar MW. US-India relations in the Indo-Pacific under the
Joe Biden administration. Dialogue Soc Sci Rev. 2025;3(3).
The Hindu. PM Modi in U.S. updates. 2021 Sep 24.
Turner O, Nymalm N, Aslam W. The Routledge handbook of US foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific.
London: Routledge; 2022.
Upadhyay S. India-US relations: Will continue to flourish but in a more structured manner. Indian
Foreign Aff J. 2020;15(4):343-9. doi: 10.2307/48630200.
U.S. Department of Commerce. Section 232 investigation on the effect of imports of steel on U.S.
national security. 2018.
Singh AK. The Modi-Biden dynamic for next steps in India-U.S. relations. Carnegie Endowment
Int Peace. 2023 Jun 16.
Singh AP. Performance of foreign trade in India in the post liberalisation era. Int J Humanit Soc Sci
Educ. 2014;1(10):2349.
Taimoor M, Mustafa G, Akram MR, Anwar MW. US-India relations in the Indo-Pacific under the
Joe Biden administration. Dialogue Soc Sci Rev. 2025;3(3).
Dialogue Social Science Review. Available from: www.thedssr.com.
The Hindu. PM Modi in U.S. updates. 2021 Sep.
The Hindu. PM Modi in U.S. live updates, September 24, 2021. Available from:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-in-us-live-updates-september-
/article36643470.ece.
Tripathi S. Modi’s singular vision for India. SAGE J. 2023;52(1).
Turner O, Nymalm N, Aslam W. The Routledge handbook of US foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific.
London: Routledge; 2022.
Upadhyay S. India-US relations: Will continue to flourish but in a more structured manner. Indian
Foreign Aff J. 2020;15(4):343-9.
U.S. Department of Commerce. Section 232 investigation on the effect of imports of steel on U.S.
national security. 2018.
U.S. National Security. Section 232 investigation on steel imports. 2018.
Government of the United States. National security and steel imports report. 2018.
