Vice President’s Official Visit to India: Strengthening Bilateral Ties

21 Apr Vice President’s Official Visit to India: Strengthening Bilateral Ties

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the Topic of  Vice President’s Official Visit to India: Strengthening Bilateral Ties

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GS-3-International Relations-  Vice President’s Official Visit to India: Strengthening Bilateral Ties

FOR PRELIMS

What role does technology play in India-U.S. bilateral cooperation?

FOR MAINS

What are the key challenges in India-U.S. relations, and how can they be addressed?

Why in the News? 

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance arrived in New Delhi on April 21, 2025, for an official visit, accompanied by his wife, Usha Chilukuri, their three children, and a high-level delegation of U.S. officials, including Ricky Gill, Senior Director for South and Central Asia at the U.S. National Security Council. Upon arrival, Mr. Vance was accorded an official guard of honour. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and members of the Union Cabinet at a dinner hosted at the Prime Minister’s residence. The visit is expected to witness the formal launch of the TRUST (Transforming Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology) partnership, which is a rebranded version of the previous Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) initiated under the Biden administration. The visit has also drawn political attention, with the Congress questioning whether the Prime Minister will raise concerns about the treatment of Indian citizens abroad, and the farmer organisation AIKS announcing plans to protest the Vice President’s presence. The visit is seen as a significant step in strengthening U.S.-India strategic and technological cooperation.

India and the US: Bilateral areas of cooperation 

1. Trade and Economic Relations: In 2024, bilateral goods trade reached $129.2 billion, with U.S. exports to India at $41.8 billion and imports at $87.4 billion. Both nations aim to increase this trade volume to $500 billion by 2030, under the “Mission 500” initiative. ​
2. Defence and Security: The U.S. and India have deepened their Major Defence Partnership, focusing on areas like space, artificial intelligence, and defence industrial collaboration. ​
3. Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET): Launched in 2022, the iCET initiative enhances collaboration in fields such as semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing. Notably, the U.S. and India are jointly establishing a semiconductor fabrication plant in India, aimed at bolstering national security and technological capabilities. ​
4. Energy Cooperation: India is considering eliminating import taxes on U.S. ethane and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to strengthen energy ties and reduce its trade surplus. ​
5. Cybersecurity and Digital Infrastructure: Both countries are collaborating on enhancing cybersecurity measures, including threat information sharing and securing telecommunications networks. ​
6. Space Collaboration: India and the U.S. have reaffirmed their commitment to joint space exploration and research, building upon existing partnerships between their respective space agencies. ​
7. Health Sector: The two nations continue to collaborate on health initiatives, focusing on areas like disease surveillance, epidemiology, and research on various health conditions. ​
8. People-to-People Ties: The Indian American community, numbering over 3.5 million, plays a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral relations. Efforts like India’s participation in the U.S. Global Entry Program facilitate easier travel and enhance cultural exchanges.

Recent developments in the US policies and its impact on the Indo-US relationship 

1. Revival of Trade Talks: India and the U.S. have resumed comprehensive trade negotiations, targeting $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. India may cut tariffs on over $23 billion worth of U.S. goods, while the U.S. has paused tariff hikes for 90 days.
2. High-Level Diplomatic Visits: U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s visit to India (April 2025) signals renewed political engagement. Meetings with PM Modi focus on resolving trade frictions and boosting bilateral cooperation.
3. Defence Partnership Upgrade: Both nations are set to sign a 10-year defence framework under the COMPACT initiative, covering military cooperation, technology, and joint exercises.
4. Strategic Tech & Nuclear Energy Cooperation: Under the TRUST initiative, both sides are working on AI infrastructure, semiconductor collaboration, and plans to build U.S.-designed nuclear reactors in India.
5. Space Collaboration Milestones: A NASA-ISRO partnership aims to send the first Indian astronaut to the ISS via AXIOM. The joint NISAR mission will be launched to track Earth changes using advanced radar.
6. Energy Trade Boost: India may remove duties on U.S. ethane and LPG, aligning with efforts to diversify energy imports and reduce its trade surplus with the U.S.
7. Digital Economy & IPR Concerns: The U.S. shift towards economic nationalism under Trump raises concerns over global IP regimes like TRIPS, with implications for tech transfer and pharmaceutical collaboration.
8. People-to-People & Diaspora Role: The 3.5 million-strong Indian-American community remains a bridge for stronger ties. VP Vance’s cultural engagements in India highlight the soft power dimension of the relationship.

India’s course of action to tackle changes in the India-US relationship

1. Strengthening Defence and Strategic Ties: India will deepen defence cooperation with the U.S., focusing on joint exercises, technology sharing, and a strategic defence partnership under the COMPACT initiative.
2. Expanding Trade Partnerships: India will address trade frictions through negotiations and seek diversification by strengthening ties with other global partners to offset potential disruptions.
3. Advancing Energy and Renewable Cooperation: India will continue collaborating with the U.S. on clean energy and nuclear technologies, aligning its policies with U.S. standards for investment in renewable energy and natural gas.
4. Driving Innovation and Tech Collaboration: India will boost its digital economy by working with the U.S. on AI, data privacy, and space technologies, and attract U.S. investments in emerging sectors like biotech and electric vehicles.
5. Enhancing Regional Engagement: India will intensify its role in the Indo-Pacific alongside the U.S. and deepen cooperation in the Quad to counter China’s influence and promote regional security.
6. Leveraging People-to-People Ties: India will harness the Indian-American diaspora and expand educational and cultural exchanges to strengthen bilateral ties.
7. Collaborating on Climate Change: India will continue climate cooperation with the U.S. on clean energy, carbon reduction, and technology sharing, in line with the Paris Agreement.
8. Balancing Geopolitical Relations: India will carefully navigate its relations with both the U.S. and China, ensuring its global diplomatic and economic interests remain aligned while managing regional challenges.

Conclusion

The India-U.S. relationship is undergoing a dynamic phase of expansion, with strengthened cooperation in defence, trade, technology, energy, and regional security. Recent policy shifts in the U.S., especially with the launch of the TRUST initiative, signal a renewed commitment to deepening ties in strategic sectors. India’s proactive response includes enhancing defence collaboration, addressing trade frictions, advancing energy cooperation, and focusing on technological innovation. The growing Indian-American diaspora continues to play a crucial role in bridging cultural and economic gaps, reinforcing the people-to-people connections. As both nations move forward, India’s balancing act between its relationship with the U.S. and its regional challenges, particularly with China, will define the future trajectory of their partnership. With both nations committed to fostering strategic, economic, and technological ties, the India-U.S. relationship is poised for long-term success, contributing significantly to global stability and growth.

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