Archive · 25 Nov 2025
Ex-CIA Official Advocates Stronger US-India Ties
A former CIA official named James Lawler thinks the United States and India should be much better friends.
He worked for the CIA for a long time and believes both countries have a lot in common, like being democracies and having strong economies.
They also face the same big challenge: China.
Lawler is surprised that the US and India haven't been closer friends for a long time.
He even mentioned that India has recently stopped buying oil from Russia, which he thinks is a good thing.
He hopes that the two countries can work together more in the future.
Former CIA official James Lawler advocates for a stronger US-India relationship.
Lawler highlights shared democratic values and converging interests between the two countries.
Both nations face China as a significant strategic challenge.
Lawler notes that India has historically been neutral and friendly with the Soviet Union.
He praises India's recent decision to stop buying oil from Russia.
- Who
- James Lawler, former CIA counter-proliferation chief
- What
- Advocacy for stronger US-India relations
- When
- During and after his CIA service (1980-2005)
- Where
- United States and India
- Why
- Shared democratic values, converging interests, and common strategic challenges, particularly China
- Former CIA Official
- James Lawler
- CIA Service Years
- 1980-2005
- Division Headed
- Counter-Proliferation Division's Special Activities Unit
- Key Challenge
- China
- Shared Values
- Democracy, Capitalism
- Historical US View of India
- Neither adversary nor ally
- Recent Indian Action
- Stopped buying oil from Russia