American president Donald Trump has got elected with the slogan of ‘America First’ ‘Making America great again’ etc and may sideline interests of other nations for that of America’s. He has shown different policy aptitude than his predecessor and could change the direction of America’s foreign relations with India.

The constant changes in the top bureaucracy, pulling out of International deals like Paris Agreement, Trans-Pacific Partnership shows the radical changes in USA’s foreign policies. James Mattis, who was great advocate of better India-US relations was recently removed from the job also adding to changes in policies.

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• USA’s foreign policy towards India:

India and USA relations is on a rising trajectory. The substantiation for the same can be seen through the following

• The two countries had moved the security partnership forward like the signing of Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA),LEMOA, General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA in 2002) starting from the civil nuclear deal.
• New Delhi has also been pleased with the Trump administration’s decision to cut off assistance to Pakistan for its unwillingness to end its support for terror in Afghanistan.
• The naming of India as a strategic partner and rechristening of Asia-Pacific as Indo-Pacific shows the importance given to India-USA relations.
• The Quad dialogue of India and USA along with Japan and Australia to provide net security in Indo-Pacific region and to keep China’s aggressiveness at check.

• Impact on India’s core strategic interest as a result of USA’s changing Foreign Policy:

Implications of USA’s withdrawal from Afghanistan:

• US President Donald Trump decided to pull out about 7,000 American troops from Afghanistan. The decision to slash the number of troops by half has provoked varied reactions in the region and in the United States.
• With USA’s withdrawal, India’s policy of “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled,” process with participation of the Afghan government can take a back step as other foreign powers back Pakistan’s involvement in Afghan Peace process.
• An expanded Pakistani footprint in Afghanistan would threaten India’s hard-won gains.
• The US pulling out troops from Afghanistan will have implications in the Kashmir Valley as terrorist outfits there may feel emboldened.

Implications due to change or continuity in USA’s foreign policy with respect to Pakistan:

• With constant radical changes in the bureaucracy, the lack of policy experience and lack of knowledge of regional security issues is likely to prove consequential, especially in South Asia.
• The current blockade of aid based on Pakistan’s poor track record to fight against home-grown terrorism could be reversed leading to more attacks on Indian soil.

Other implications:

                Security:

• The recent unilateral legislations of USA like “Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)” can affect India’s defence deals with other countries. g.: purchase of S-400 Triumf missile air defence systems from Russia.
• Constant changes in USA’s policy towards West Asian countries has led to instability, thereby affecting the Indian diaspora g.: Operation Rahat in Yemen.

Trade and Economy:

• The pulling out of USA from Joint ComprehensivePlan of Action affects the energy security of India as we import significant amount of oil from Iran.
• The reduced interest of USA in the Asia Pacific region can lead to China’s domination in the region significantly affecting our “Act East” Policy and freedom of navigation in the region.
• The Protectionism policy of USA has affected the Indian MNC’s and prospects of many skilled engineers, this inturn can affect on our remittances.

• India’s strategy to deal with variables of USA’s foreign policy:
• India must take support of other regional organisations like SCO, Heart of Asia conference and bilateral relations with Afghanistan to deal with Afghan issues.
• India must focus on bilateral relations with other nations like Russia, China which would ensure her strategic interests are better served.
• Use of Global forums like UNO to isolate Pakistan on international stage.
• Indian foreign policy must seek to leverage India’s strategic autonomy in order to safeguard sovereign rights and promote national interests within a multi-polar world.

Conclusion:

Considering the possible implications on India’s core strategic interests, India needs to ensure that her interests don’t hinge on USA’s policies completely. The continuity of USA’s foreign policy definitely benefits India but the alternatives must be kept ready.