India-USA Relations

Context: US administration has announced its Indo-Pacific strategy. Key Points of USA’s Indo-Pacific strategy: Vision of Indo-Pacific: The US will seek an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure and resilient. Free: One of the strategic actions outlined is investing in civil society, a free press and democratic institutions. Connections: Within and beyond the region. US …

USA’s Indo-Pacific Policy and its impact on India – UPSC GS2 Read More »

Context: Declining American influence post Afghanistan withdrawal. Examples of a declining American influence: Superpowers suffering military setbacks at the hands of weaker forces indicates great power fatigue, prompting both their allies and rivals to rethink their strategic assessments. In the case of the USA, this fatigue and a gradual erosion of its ability to shape geopolitical …

Declining USA Influence – UPSC GS2 Read More »

India-United States Trade Policy Forum (TPF): India-United States TPF is a premier forum to resolve trade and investment issues between the two countries. Chaired by: The forum is co-chaired by the Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry and U.S. Trade Representative. Focus Groups: The forum has five focus groups – agriculture, investment, innovation and creativity (intellectual property rights), services, and …

India-United States Trade Policy Forum – UPSC GS2 Read More »

Context: US Navy carried out freedom of navigation operations (FONOP) in the west of the Lakshadweep Islands. It lies in India’s exclusive economic zone. It was done without requesting India’s prior consent. Some of India’s strategic community members described this as an unnecessary provocation by the U.S. Navy. Whereas the US defended its operation by stating that …

FONOP in Indian Waters – UPSC GS2 Read More »

Bilateral Trade between India and USA: In 2019-20, the bilateral trade between the USA and India stood at USD 88.75 billion. The USA is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. India’s trade surplus with the USA increased to USD 17.42 billion in 2019-20 from USD 16.86 billion in 2018-19. For the …

India-USA : Trade Ties – UPSC GS2 Read More »

What are the contentious foreign policy issues under Biden administration? Relations with China: Rising China poses a diplomatic, economic and technological threat to the U.S. Hence old school strategies such as inclusive security architecture in Asia would not be productive. Also, given the current situation, few countries in Asia are willing to oppose China. In this context, …

US Foreign Policy under Biden – UPSC GS2 Read More »

Context: A declassified document of US administration asserted that a strong India would act as a counterbalance to Chine in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. Challenges for USA: Maintaining USA’s strategic primacy in the Indo-pacific and stopping China from establishing illiberal spheres of influence. Ensuring that North Korea does not threaten the USA. Advancing the USA economic leadership globally while pushing fair …

India as a Counter Balance to China : USA – UPSC GS2 Read More »

Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA): COMCASA is one of three foundational agreements that guide US high technology cooperation in defence sector with other countries. It was earlier called Communication and Information on Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) before name was changed to reflect its India-specific nature. Other two agreements are Logistics Exchange Memorandum of …

Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) – UPSC GS2 Read More »