The US bet on India is good, within limits: Ashley J Tellis

Ashley J Tellis, an expert on India-US relations, believes that PM Modi’s recent state visit to the US was a great success. Both sides achieved their goals, and the visit highlighted the importance of India to the US. However, Tellis cautions that the relationship’s momentum is not irreversible and depends on the underlying conditions that drive it. He also emphasizes the need for further progress in reconciling differences, achieving defense interoperability, and creating economic interdependency. While the US government encourages American businesses to invest in India, it ultimately depends on the companies’ assessment of the economic environment. The deepening knowledge partnership is seen as vital to both countries’ success, and collaboration on various issues beyond bilateral ties is driven by concerns about China. Tellis acknowledges the contradiction in political beliefs between the Democratic Party base and the BJP but believes that the relationship has not been disrupted so far. However, he warns that disputes over values could constrain the ties if India’s critics’ concerns persist. Finally, Tellis clarifies that his concerns about India’s alignment with the US in a potential Taiwan crisis do not contradict the administration’s expectations. He hopes for the relationship to evolve but acknowledges that India defines its interests differently from the US, which may pose challenges in the future. Overall, Tellis believes the US is making a good bet on India within certain limitations.