Surjit Mansingh
Abstract: In the late 1970’s, there were high hopes for a partnership between the U.S. and India based on the two countries’ shared values. However, if mistakes of the past are repeated, such hopes may not be realized. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, the U.S. and India formed a donor-recipient relationship to pursue economic development in India. In return, the U.S. pressured India to work towards internal economic reform and to support America’s foreign policy decisions in Southeast Asia. The donor-recipient relationship received harsh criticisms from both Americans and Indians for different reasons, and as a result, both countries attempted to replace this relationship on amicable terms. In addition, the strategic importance of U.S.-India relations suggested that the two countries could cooperate on political and military issues if they pursued common objectives. However, in the 1950’s and 1960’s, divergent strategic plans for the region prevented a U.S.-India alliance despite a common interest in curtailing China’s ambitions. Furthermore, during the 1965 war between India and Pakistan, the U.S. took a neutral stance, and after the war, the U.S. postponed the decision to formally support and develop a relationship with either India or Pakistan for various strategic reasons. The U.S. and India continued drifting apart due to disagreements on policies pertaining to South Asia. While the two countries cannot form an ideal relationship, a cooperating partnership can be formed under the Carter administration if they can agree to build upon shared values.
Key Words: U.S., India, Foreign aid, political-military alliance, China, Pakistan
