Le Premier Ministre Narendra Modi a été l'un des premiers dirigeants internationaux à féliciter Donald Trump et l'un des premiers à avoir un appel téléphonique avec le président élu après sa victoire à la course pour la Maison Blanche.
Following Donald Trump's historic victory in the 2024 presidential elections, there is a prevailing sentiment that the Republican elephant (Party symbol) will engage in a collaborative partnership with the Indian elephant.

This partnership is anticipated to address shared concerns and interests, thereby enhancing the bilateral relationship, and elevating it on the global stage.
The strategic partnership between India and the US is poised to reach new heights, reflecting the necessity for both nations to work together in the current geopolitical landscape to further their respective national interests.

India-US enduring partnership
Since the dawn of the 21st century, India and the US have experienced a significant strengthening of their friendship, characterized by widespread domestic support and goodwill aimed at fostering bilateral relations for mutual benefit. This cooperative spirit has been bolstered by bipartisan backing in both countries for enhanced political and economic ties.

 As a result, the governments have capitalized on this momentum, entering into various strategic and high-tech cooperation agreements that are designed to solidify the relationship. This evolving relationship is increasingly being recognized as a defining partnership of the 21st century, showcasing the commitment of both nations to collaborate on global challenges and promote stability in international affairs.

Throughout the early years of this century, the bilateral relations between India and the US have consistently progressed, regardless of the political party in power, whether it was the Democratic administration of Bill Clinton, the Republican leadership of George Bush, the Democratic presidency of Barack Obama, or the Republican tenure of Donald Trump. This enduring partnership has been characterized by strong bipartisan support in both nations, elevating their ties to a level that is often regarded with envy by India's rivals.

The relationship has reached new heights through significant developments such as enhanced Indo-US defence and strategic cooperation in the early 2000s, the inking of civil nuclear agreement during the first decade, and the subsequent expansion of collaboration across various economic and technological sectors.

Modi-Trump bond
The strategic community is anticipating a more dynamic strategic partnership during Donald Trump's second presidential term, fuelled by the strong personal rapport between President-elect Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in the midst of his third term as the leader of the world's largest democracy.

The personal engagement demonstrated by both leaders in enhancing bilateral relations through significant public events, such as the Howdy Modi rally in Houston and the Namaste Trump event in Ahmedabad in early 2020, remains vivid in the memories of political analysts from both nations.

Following the presidential inauguration, it is expected that Donald Trump will once again visit India in the first half of the upcoming year to participate in the four-nation QUAD summit. Prime Minister Modi is likely to seize this opportunity to rekindle the friendship that flourished during Trump's first term, with both leaders anticipated to revive the spirit of their previous engagements.

The strategic community recalls Houston’s ‘Howdy Modi’ rally in 2019, where President Trump honoured Prime Minister Modi by attending the event, a rare gesture from a US President towards a visiting foreign leader.

In a reciprocal gesture, Prime Minister Modi organized the ‘Namaste Trump’ event in Ahmedabad, further solidifying their bond. During a congratulatory phone call, Prime Minister Modi highlighted these significant moments in the history of India-US relations, underscoring the importance of their personal connection in shaping the future of bilateral ties.

As both leaders prepare to engage once more, the potential for a revitalized partnership appears promising, with the shared experiences of their past interactions serving as a foundation for future collaboration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s prompt congratulatory post on X to the US President-elect was graciously replied by Trump during a subsequent telephone conversation. In this exchange, he expressed his regard for Modi and India, stating, “consider Modi and India as a true friend.”

Keen to leverage Modi-Trump friendship on enhancing India-US ties
India aspires to leverage the achievements of the Trump administration and to maintain the amicable and collaborative relations that will enhance the strategic partnership in the forthcoming Trump 2.0 era.

The alignment of strategic interests concerning a range of topics, including China and the Indo-Pacific region, alongside efforts to position India as a viable alternative for high-tech industrial products and essential minerals through collaborative partnerships in critical and emerging technologies, is anticipated to elevate the economic and strategic relationship between India and the US to unprecedented levels.

This collaboration has already led to the US becoming one of India's foremost trading partners, although it currently ranks as the second largest after China, having previously held the top position.

The support from the US in critical technologies is poised to enhance India's technological and economic capabilities significantly. Notably, the US has recognized India as a key participant in the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), further solidifying this relationship.

Additionally, the commercial dialogue between India and the US has initiated an “Innovation Handshake,” aimed at fostering connections between the startup ecosystems of both nations, thereby bolstering India-US initiative on critical and emerging technologies (ICET).

Conclusion
In light of these significant agreements, India remains relatively unconcerned about President Trump's stricter immigration policies, as he has explicitly stated that legal immigration will not be hindered.

The US recognizes the importance of India's highly skilled workforce in the technology sector, which plays a crucial role in bolstering the American economy. This mutual understanding underscores the fact that leveraging India's technological expertise is advantageous for both nations, creating a scenario where both can thrive.

India and the US have already established a range of cooperative agreements aimed at enhancing their partnership across various domains, including defence, strategic initiatives, critical minerals, semiconductors, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, space exploration, and healthcare.

These agreements serve to solidify the relationship between the two countries, fostering collaboration and strengthening ties at multiple levels. The commitment to work together in these vital areas reflects a shared vision for a prosperous future, benefiting both nations significantly.

The two nations have established a robust institutional framework to facilitate discussions on matters of shared interest, enabling high-level understandings. India stands out as a unique partner for the US, engaging in an annual 2+2 dialogue that involves both foreign and defence ministers.

Furthermore, the countries have formalized significant agreements, including the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) and the Reciprocal Defence Procurement Arrangement (RDP), which are designed to optimize defence procurement processes, enhance market access for Indian manufacturers, and foster greater collaboration between public and private sectors.

Under the leadership of Donald Trump, India can anticipate a deepening of cooperative relations in the realms of defence and security, along with a more nuanced understanding of each nation's security concerns.

***The writer is a senior journalist and strategic affairs analyst; views expressed here are his own

(The article first appeared in INN)