History of India–US relations

This chapter covers the most relevant history in specific spheres, which includes a brief history of India–United States (US) political relations with regards to foreign relations, especially the history of India–US security relations. History shows that the largest democracy in the world was not able to maintain a cordial relationship with the most enthusiastic proponent of democracy in the world. The US and India have been described as unfriendly friends. Their relations have been characterized as strained, thin, uneasy, fragile, and a cold peace. Before the official India-US relations commenced in 1947, the interaction between the two countries was minimal. Summit Ganguly writes, “India’s ties to the Soviet Union, coupled with its feckless anti-American rhetoric, stunted any meaningful improvement in Indo-American relations”. Due to the Indian tilt toward the Soviet Union, India-US relations could not develop in a friendly way and were strained further during the India-Pakistan war in 1971.