Archive · 12 Oct 2026
India, US and China Navigate a Changing Great-Power Rivalry
The article says relations between India and the United States have had some bumps.
Indian and American officials gave different accounts of whether a trade deal was close.
A US politician also made comments about foreign workers in technology jobs, and India's government objected.
The writer says Indian Americans have helped the US economy, but says their contribution has not been fully measured.
The article argues India should not expect the United States to always help it or share all its goals.
It says India may still buy some US defence equipment and work with the United States through the Quad.
The writer thinks the relationship between the United States and China is becoming especially important.
India, the article argues, should decide its own course while watching that rivalry closely.
Piyush Goyal described an India-US trade deal as complete, while Jamieson Greer said it was not imminent.
India's External Affairs Ministry objected to J.D. Vance's remarks about foreign workers in US IT jobs.
The author says Indian Americans' economic contribution to the United States deserves greater recognition.
The article argues India should not depend on Washington to meet its strategic and development goals.
It highlights the developing US-China relationship and says India’s choices will matter to both powers.
- Who
- India, the United States and China; the article discusses leaders and officials including Narendra Modi, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, J.D. Vance and S. Jaishankar.
- What
- An opinion article assesses strains in India-US relations and argues that the emerging US-China relationship is reshaping the strategic landscape.
- When
- The article refers to developments this year and a possible Quad summit in December, but gives no publication date.
- Where
- The discussion concerns India, the United States and China, with references to New Delhi and New York.
- Why
- The author argues India should not assume Washington will advance India's interests, and should reassess its reliance on the United States.
Reduce reliance on the United States
Maintain practical US ties
India's dependence on Washington
Reduce reliance on the United States
The article argues India should stop expecting the United States to help contain China or provide a free path to its development goals.
Maintain practical US ties
The article notes that some Indian policy circles still hope for a friendlier US administration or a return to earlier partnership patterns.
India-US partnership
Reduce reliance on the United States
The author says successive US administrations have sought concessions from India and that the old strategic-partnership approach has run its course.
Maintain practical US ties
The article suggests India may continue buying some US defence equipment and that Washington may help keep the Quad active.
US immigration rhetoric
Reduce reliance on the United States
The author argues that criticism of immigrant workers overlooks Indian Americans' contributions to US industries and the economy.
Maintain practical US ties
The article presents US politicians' concerns about American workers' jobs, including Vice-President J.D. Vance's comments about IT employment.
- Trade deal
- Piyush Goyal called an India-US trade deal “done and dusted”; US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said it was “not imminent.”
- Immigration comments
- J.D. Vance said American IT workers would not be allowed to yield their jobs to “indentured servants”; India's External Affairs Ministry called the remarks “unwarranted.”
- Defence imports
- The article says the US currently accounts for about 10% of India's defence imports and predicts India is unlikely to buy a major platform.
- Quad
- The article says the US may seek to keep the four-nation Quad active and mentions a possible summit alongside the G-20 in December.
- US-China meetings
- The article says Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet twice more this year, after two meetings already held.
- Author's argument
- The author urges India to reassess expectations of US support and pay closer attention to the developing US-China relationship.