Now Reading: India pursues ‘America plus’ strategy under Trump pressure
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India pursues ‘America plus’ strategy under Trump pressure
New Delhi has adopted an 'America plus' strategy under Donald Trump's second term, seeking to sustain its partnership with the United States while widening engagement with other powers, according to an analysis…
New Delhi has adopted an 'America plus' strategy under Donald Trump's second term, seeking to sustain its partnership with the United States while widening engagement with other powers, according to an analysis in Foreign Affairs. Despite US tariffs, closer ties with Pakistan and China, and a perceived lack of commitment to the Quad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded with restraint and resisted pulling away from Washington.
The analysis notes that India has continued trade negotiations, increased defense cooperation, and expanded technological ties with the US. Modi has also sustained the Quad, drawn closer to US allies, preserved relations with Russia, and sought to lower tensions with China. However, the relationship soured after Trump took credit for ending a military conflict between India and Pakistan and elevated Pakistan's diplomatic priority.
Indian public opinion started turning against Trump in 2025, with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi accusing Modi of surrendering to American pressure. The analysis warns that if Trump continues to bully India, public opinion could force Modi to abandon his restrained approach. It argues that India has no better great-power option than the US, as China and Russia cannot match American trade and investment.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The 'America plus' strategy reflects a calibrated hedge, not a fundamental shift. New Delhi is calculating that no other power can replace the US as a market, technology partner, or balancer against China. The risk is that sustained US pressure, especially on tariffs and the Quad's future, could erode the domestic political consensus for close ties. India's next moves will be tested at the next Quad summit and in ongoing trade talks, where Modi must show tangible gains to silence critics like Rahul Gandhi.
Source: foreignaffairs.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
