US-India Relations: A Partnership Built on Shared Values, Not Geopolitics

The United States sees India as a steadfast “friend and partner,” not as a counterbalance to any other nation, including China, according to US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti.

In a recent interview with ANI, Garcetti emphasized the enduring partnership between the two countries, rooted in shared principles of sovereignty, borders, and rule of law. He reiterated that while the US has a complex relationship with China, its alliance with India is not about countering Beijing?s influence but about fostering mutual growth and stability.

This approach marks a significant pivot from earlier US policies that often sought to balance China?s growing assertiveness by strengthening alliances in the region. As Garcetti clarified, the US has always stood by India, especially during conflicts along its borders, and will continue to support India?s diplomatic engagements, particularly in its interactions with China.

A History of Support and Solidarity

?We see India as a friend and a partner, not a counterbalance. We share principles about borders, sovereignty, and the rule of law. We’ve stood with India on the border when there have been conflicts,? Garcetti told ANI, reinforcing America?s long-term recognition of the McMahon Line?the de facto border between India and China, which has been in place since 1952. This assertion reflects Washington’s commitment to ensuring that aggression is never rewarded, whether in South Asia or any part of the world.

Garcetti further emphasized that the US wants to see peaceful relations with China, echoing global hopes for diplomacy and stability in a region fraught with territorial disputes and historical tensions. “When it comes to China specifically, we all want to have peaceful relations with China,? he said, highlighting the importance of diplomacy over confrontation.

India and China, two nuclear-armed neighbours, share a long and disputed border. Their relations have been marked by military standoffs, most notably the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which resulted in casualties on both sides. Despite this, Garcetti pointed out that approximately 75% of the border disagreements have been resolved, as stated by India?s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. However, Garcetti made it clear that the US would continue to respect and follow India?s lead when it comes to safeguarding its territorial integrity.

Strengthening the Indo-Pacific Partnership

The Indo-Pacific region has become the centerpiece of the US’s strategic outlook, with India playing a key role as a major partner. Contrary to speculation that India is viewed as a counterbalance to China, Garcetti underscored that the partnership is about giving nations in the region more choices.

?We want to make sure people have choices that they don?t fall into debt traps, that they aren?t seen as inferring in domestic politics, and that they can have democracies, free-market economies, and a rule of law respected by all,? he said, in a thinly veiled critique of China?s Belt and Road Initiative, which has been accused of burdening participating countries with unsustainable debt.

This idea of offering choices and promoting democracy, stability, and economic freedom is key to the US-India collaboration, particularly within the broader Indo-Pacific strategy. India, as a vibrant democracy with an ever-growing economy, is a natural ally in ensuring that nations in the region are not swayed by coercive diplomacy or economic manipulation.

At the core of this strategy is the Quad?a strategic group consisting of the US, India, Japan, and Australia. The Quad, Garcetti said, is a ?powerful place to set a vision, to share principles, and to come up with common solutions in the Indo-Pacific.? He described the group as a counter to nations that disregard international rules and norms, positioning it as a force for positive change and collaboration in the region.

Garcetti’s words reinforce the US’s broader vision for the Indo-Pacific?a vision of an open, free, and prosperous region where the rule of law and mutual respect for sovereignty are upheld. By working through frameworks like the Quad, the US and India aim to promote peace, security, and economic development, with a focus on resolving global challenges such as supply chain disruptions, climate change, and regional security.

The Quad?s Expanding Role

The recent Quad Leaders’ Summit, hosted by US President Joe Biden at his residence in Wilmington, Delaware, further illustrated the growing importance of the alliance. Garcetti highlighted the significance of the summit, noting that it served as a platform for the leaders of the four nations?India, the US, Japan, and Australia?to reinforce their commitment to shared principles. The Quad, he explained, is about far more than just military cooperation.

It?s a partnership designed to foster regional stability, economic development, and cooperation on issues ranging from disaster relief to healthcare and climate change.
The summit?s joint declaration emphasized cooperation in various sectors, including disaster assistance and safeguarding global supply chains, which have become particularly vulnerable in recent years.

“If you look at the declaration, it underscores that from cooperating together on healthcare to ensuring that coast guards can work together during humanitarian disasters, the Quad is about finding solutions to common challenges,” Garcetti explained.

One key area of focus has been the integrity of global maritime laws, particularly in response to coercive actions in the East and South China Seas. “We are seriously concerned about the militarization of disputed features and coercive maneuvers in the South China Sea,” the Quad leaders said in their joint statement, underscoring their shared commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific.

Biden and Modi: A Strong Personal and Bilateral Bond

The US-India relationship is not only institutional but also deeply personal, as evidenced by the close bond between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden. Garcetti described Biden as “the most pro-Indian president we’ve had in US history” and Modi as “the most pro-American prime minister in Indian history.” This alignment of leadership, he noted, is a reflection of the broader mutual respect and friendship between the two nations.

The Wilmington summit was particularly symbolic, with Biden hosting Modi in his private residence, a gesture that highlighted the personal warmth and closeness between the two leaders. During their bilateral meeting, Biden reaffirmed his support for India’s inclusion as a permanent member of a reformed United Nations Security Council, a longstanding Indian aspiration.

Such a move would not only recognize India?s growing global stature but also enhance its influence in shaping international policy on issues ranging from security to development.

A Vision for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity

Despite the complex dynamics at play in the Indo-Pacific, Garcetti emphasized that the Quad is not a military alliance aimed at projecting power. ?There?s no question that security and peace are the most important things for any country.

But the Quad is not about projecting military power. It?s about preserving peace and ensuring prosperity for all,” he said, highlighting cooperative efforts such as Coast Guard integration and military infrastructure interoperability.

This cooperative stance reflects the broader goals of the US-India partnership?promoting peace, security, and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The Quad’s activities, whether in maritime security, humanitarian assistance, or climate change, are geared toward fostering a peaceful and prosperous region, rather than creating new sources of tension.

Conclusion: A Partnership Built for the Future

The US-India partnership has entered a new phase, one where both nations are deeply invested in each other’s success. The relationship is no longer confined to bilateral trade or military cooperation; it now encompasses shared values, a common vision for global governance, and a collaborative approach to solving regional and global challenges.

As Ambassador Garcetti aptly put it, “The Quad is about standing up for principles that not every country shares. It?s about finding solutions to common challenges that not everybody is doing in a multilateral way.”

Looking ahead, the US-India partnership will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the Indo-Pacific and the broader global order. By standing together on issues of sovereignty, rule of law, and democratic governance, the two nations are charting a course for a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous world.