External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has highlighted the steady growth and resilience of the India-U.S. relationship over the past 25 years, despite recent frictions and public debate.
Speaking at the Jasjit Singh Memorial Lecture, Mr. Jaishankar acknowledged the existence of challenges and divergences but emphasized the consistent outperformance of expectations in the relationship.
The recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia in July sparked some tension, with U.S. officials expressing disappointment and cautioning against taking the relationship for granted. India, in turn, asserted its "freedom of choice" and "strategic autonomy" in foreign policy.
Despite these differences, Mr. Jaishankar traced the positive trajectory of the relationship, attributing a significant role to former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao in "freeing up our system." He emphasized that subsequent governments have built upon this foundation, making the U.S. relationship one policy that has "not been inconsistent or partisan."
The minister acknowledged the changing global landscape, stating that American interests and global competition have evolved. He stressed the importance of continuously adapting and "pressing the refresh button" to ensure that India's foreign policy remains relevant and effective.
