Gears could shift, keep hands steady

There is speculation that under President Donald Trump, India-US ties could shift from the institutionalised and broad-based engagement forged by Joe Biden and Narendra Modi to a more transactional form of diplomacy. In its final weeks, the Biden administration further strengthened this institutionalisation, with the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) removing three Indian entities - Indian Rare Earths, the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (Barc) - from its Entity List. This move marked a significant step forward in bilateral collaboration, particularly in clean energy and advanced scientific research. The Entity List has long been a tool used by the US to regulate trade with organisations deemed potential risks to national security or foreign policy.

This final push not only ensures stability in the India-US ties but also opens new avenues for India's growth. Renewed geopolitical competition should drive continued collaboration between India and the US in developing, deploying and safeguarding critical technologies - from AI to biotech to space. India must capitalise on this partnership to boost R&D and secure supply chains critical for a transitioning economy. Building capabilities and capacities in the economy must remain India's top priority.

New Delhi can also draw on this approach to solidify its position as a leading voice in the developing world. By fostering partnerships based on complementarity and strengthening supply chains with other developing nations, India can bolster its influence. This becomes especially important given Trump's erratic approach to China and Elon Musk's growing prominence as his CEO.