Us-India bromance a complex partnership with regional implications

Bismah Mirza
In the evolving geopolitical landscape, the relationship between the United States and India has taken center stage, particularly in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2024. The relationship, often dubbed as a “bromance,” has become a cornerstone of both countries’ strategic interests, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. Trump’s administration, focusing on a renewed “Make America Great Again” agenda, significantly emphasized strengthening U.S.-India ties, particularly in trade, defense, and energy cooperation. However, the collaboration has been far from seamless, facing challenges ranging from trade imbalances to immigration tensions, as well as broader regional security concerns.
Trade and Economic disputes
The trade dynamics between the U.S. and India have been marked by persistent imbalances. Under President Trump, there was a strong push to address these issues, including the imposition of tariffs on Indian goods. During Modi’s visit to Washington in February 2025, both leaders worked towards resolving existing trade disputes. India made some concessions, such as agreeing to reduce tariffs on certain American products, including whiskey and motorcycles. However, the U.S. expressed concerns over India’s high tariffs on American-made automobiles, calling it a “big problem.” Despite Modi’s efforts to mitigate these concerns, the lack of significant trade concessions from the U.S. highlighted the limitations of their economic diplomacy.
Energy and defense cooperation
The U.S. and India have found common ground in energy and defense cooperation. In February 2025, the U.S. committed to increasing its exports of oil and natural gas to India, helping meet India’s growing energy demands. This partnership is seen as mutually beneficial, as India seeks to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on traditional suppliers, particularly from the Middle East. The energy deal is part of a broader strategy to enhance U.S.-India economic ties, with India aiming to raise the share of natural gas in its energy mix significantly by 2030.
On the defense front, both countries agreed to collaborate on cutting-edge military technology, including the sale of F-35 fighter jets to India. This deal is expected to strengthen India’s air defense capabilities, aligning with the broader goal of countering China’s growing influence in the region. However, the complex dynamics of defense cooperation are not without challenges. India has a long-standing relationship with Russia, which has been a key arms supplier, and concerns remain about India’s ability to manage and operate advanced defense systems like the F-35. Moreover, there is skepticism about whether the U.S. will fully deliver on these defense promises, as seen with past discussions surrounding the F-16 deal.
Immigration tensions and deportation
While defense and trade agreements took center stage, immigration issues also surfaced as a point of contention. Trump’s administration had previously focused on tackling illegal immigration, particularly from countries like India, where many individuals overstayed their visas. Just before Modi’s trip to the U.S., a plane carrying 100 illegal Indian immigrants was sent back to India, creating tensions in the bilateral relationship. However, Modi’s pragmatic approach allowed him to navigate the issue by accepting the deported migrants, signaling a willingness to cooperate on immigration matters despite domestic challenges.
Despite these efforts, the relationship between the two countries has often been strained by differing approaches to immigration enforcement. Modi’s cooperation with the U.S. on immigration was viewed as a necessary step to improve bilateral ties, but the long-term effectiveness of such measures remains uncertain, especially given the political sensitivities surrounding deportations in India.
Human Rights and regional security
The U.S.-India partnership has also been shaped by issues related to human rights, particularly regarding the treatment of Muslim minorities in India. The U.S., under both the Trump and Biden administrations, has raised concerns about the state of religious freedom and minority rights in India. However, these issues were largely avoided in public discussions between Trump and Modi, with the focus shifting towards more strategic and economic concerns. Trump’s transactional approach to foreign policy meant that human rights concerns were sidelined in favor of economic and defense priorities.
The most notable omission during these high-level talks was the lack of focus on human rights issues. Trump’s administration largely sidelined concerns about India’s treatment of minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, which had drawn criticism from other global leaders. Modi, for his part, avoided addressing these sensitive issues, reflecting the transactional nature of his relationship with the U.S. under Trump. This avoidance allowed both sides to concentrate on economic and strategic priorities but also limited the development of a truly comprehensive and balanced partnership.
The relationship between India and the U.S. under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has evolved into a complex and strategic partnership. Modi’s efforts to deepen ties with the U.S. during Donald Trump’s presidency were based on mutual interests, particularly in countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
However, this partnership has been far from smooth, marred by persistent trade imbalances, contentious immigration issues, and ideological differences. Despite their rapport, Modi’s visits to the U.S. have been complicated by ongoing trade disputes, with Trump pushing for greater access to Indian markets, yet Modi’s concessions have remained limited.
Conclusion
While the U.S.-India partnership continues to evolve, several challenges remain, particularly concerning trade imbalances, immigration, and regional security. Both countries have made significant strides in areas such as defense cooperation and energy security, but lingering issues surrounding tariffs, defense deals, and regional dynamics will continue to test the strength of their relationship. For India, maintaining its strategic autonomy while deepening ties with the U.S. presents a delicate balancing act. As the relationship progresses, questions arise about whether India’s growing partnership with the U.S. will ultimately serve its long-term interests, especially given the historical complexities of the U.S. involvement in the region.
For Pakistan, the evolving U.S.-India bromance is a matter of concern, as it reshapes the regional balance of power. While India may benefit from closer ties with the U.S., the long-term costs of such an alliance remain uncertain, particularly when viewed through the lens of Pakistan’s own strategic interests. As India and the U.S. continue to deepen their collaboration, the question remains: at what cost will this “bromance” come for both countries and the region as a whole?
The author is the Executive Editor of the monthly Interaction.