US2 Courtesy: Owlpacino
14 August 2014

Indian union and American federalism

Although the histories, levels of economic development, and critical issues of India and the U.S. are different, the confrontational party politics in their political systems pose similar challenges. Both countries can learn from the experience of federalism of the other to take their national agendas forward

Hagel2 Courtesy: Joshua Martin
7 August 2014

Hagel in India: building greater synergy

U.S. defence secretary Chuck Hagel’s visit is the third in a flurry of visits by top American officials before the scheduled Modi-Obama meet in September. Hagel’s visit will aim to enhance an already well-established defence-trade partnership and allay fears of the Pentagon’s bias towards Pakistan

kerry-modi Courtesy: MEA\photogallery
4 August 2014

John Kerry’s charm offensive

Much was made of the ‘incredible possibilities’ for India-U.S. ties preceding John Kerry’s visit to India. The American emphasis on rhetoric touched a new high when Kerry formally invited Indian PM Modi to Washington in September. The two sides must now get beyond words to work towards a resolution of differences for the bilateral to blossom

kerry Courtesy: Ministry of External Affairs
2 August 2014

Strengthening ties amid differences

The 5th India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue was an effort to reverse the downward spiral in bilateral ties, and an opportunity for the two countries to get a realistic assessment of each other. Clearly given the range of differences on issues such as trade, tariffs and price controls, there is still plenty of work to be done

LNG platform Courtesy: Wikimedia\Floyd Rosebridge
1 August 2014

India-U.S: energy can charge the bilateral

Cooperation in the energy sector offers a chance for India and the U.S. to build on a mutually beneficial and complementary relationship. The U.S. will gain from having a large, long-term market while India will benefit from cheaper and more diversified energy sources

PennyPritzker Courtesy: Commerce department\US govt
30 July 2014

Pritzker: pragmatic dealmaker?

Penny Pritzker, U.S. commerce secretary is the new element in the India-U.S. bilateral dialogue. Her business skills have brought a shine to her ministry at home and perhaps she can have the same effect in Delhi

041005-N-0021M-001 Courtesy: U.S. Navy photo/Journalist 1st Class Todd Macdonald
29 July 2014

Malabar 2014: a good beginning

India’s invitation and the subsequent participation of the Japanese navy in the Malabar 2014 exercise is a sign of the deepening of the political-security relationship between India and Japan. However, an actual fruition of the potential requires both the administrations to be more flexible, especially on the nuclear deal and defence purchases

kerry Courtesy: IBtimes.com
29 July 2014

India-U.S: from strategic to historic

On the eve of his departure to India for the fifth India-U.S Strategic Dialogue, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry outlined a roadmap of partnership between the two countries. While mentioning some of the ongoing concerns of the U.S government, he said this was a moment to chart a new course in the bilateral relationship

images Courtesy: wikipedia\commons
29 July 2014

India-U.S. ties: expert speak

Four years ago, U.S. President Barack Obama announced that the India -U.S. relationship would be "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century". However the relationship hasn’t matched up to the rhetoric and bilateral ties hit a low in 2013. Forthcoming high profile engagements between the two suggest the tide might be changing

food-sedurity Courtesy: Rigues/Flickr
25 July 2014

Food security, WTO and India

Recent developments at the WTO's two-day General Council Meeting that started on July 24 suggest that India will agree to sign the trade facilitation agreement only if the deal comes bundled with a permanent solution that will allow unhindered roll-out of welfare schemes such as the food security programme.