‘Unreliable Ally’: US Actions Push India Closer to ‘No-Drama’ Partners Russia, France?

US international coverage skilled Michael Kugelman not too long ago highlighted contrasting dynamics in India’s bilateral relationships with key international gamers. Drawing from previous incidents and diplomatic trends, he pointed to a couple of moments over the last twenty years that experience examined Indian public belief of the United States as a strategic spouse.

While India maintains stable and long-standing relationships with nations reminiscent of Russia and France, ties with the USA have every now and then encountered turbulence. Kugelman referred to this distinction by means of describing India’s interactions with Russia and France as “no-drama”, by contrast to extra advanced and infrequently strained episodes with Washington.

There’ve been instances during the last 2 a long time when in India, public agree with in US as a spouse is named into query & contrasted w/India’s dependable, no-drama relationships w/Russia, France and many others.

Khobragade affair, past due US reaction to India COVID disaster, Pannun.

And at this time.
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) May 15, 2025

In every case, those moments had been smoothed over on coverage ranges. But public perceptions of the USA and its reliability as evinced by means of some key Indian constituencies is still a subject that flares up periodically. Properly addressing this stays a piece in growth.
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) May 15, 2025

He cited a couple of examples – the 2013 “Khobragade affair”, wherein Devyani Khobragade, then India’s deputy consul normal in New York, was once arrested on fees associated with visa fraud. The incident had ended in a diplomatic standoff and public outcry in India.

Another reference was once made to the COVID-19 pandemic, all through which the USA reaction to India’s well being disaster drew complaint for its perceived lengthen. More not too long ago, the “Pannun case” – a reported plot to assassinate Khalistani chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, allegedly involving Indian brokers – resurfaced considerations about bilateral agree with. The US spoke back with a diplomatic caution to India, whilst government in India said that they have been reviewing the shared intelligence.

Kugelman’s feedback additionally got here within the backdrop of latest claims about former US President Donald Trump’s involvement in India-Pakistan family members. According to studies, Trump intervened all through a cross-border escalation between India and Pakistan, the use of trade-related drive to persuade India’s reaction. While a ceasefire was once ultimately agreed upon, his public statement of credit score reignited discussions in regards to the consistency and reliability of the USA as a strategic spouse.

Other analysts additionally weighed in. Strategic affairs skilled Brahma Chellaney stated the episode highlights broader considerations about strategic alignment.

Meanwhile, former Pentagon authentic Michael Rubin stated that Trump’s feedback will have financial repercussions, in particular for US protection corporations eyeing India as a key marketplace.

These trends in combination upload to the continuing discourse about India’s way to international partnerships, in particular in the case of agree with, predictability and long-term cooperation.