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What Are the Limits of U.S.-India Security Burden-Sharing in the Indian Ocean?

What Are the Limits of U.S.-India Security Burden-Sharing in the Indian Ocean?

Monday, June 23, 2025

By: Nilanthi Samaranayake, Adjunct Fellow, East-West Center

When viewing U.S. partnerships in the maritime domain, relations with India, in particular, have thrived — especially over the past decade. Moreover, the partnership enjoys bipartisan support in the United States. Indications after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House in February 2025 are that U.S.-India security relations will continue to be strong in the second Trump administration.

Type: Analysis

How Vulnerable Is India to Chinese Economic Coercion?

How Vulnerable Is India to Chinese Economic Coercion?

Monday, June 16, 2025

By: Sushant Singh

While India has taken a strong security stance against China, its economic posture has been cooperative. But India's reliance on Chinese imports may undermine its role as a counterbalance to China. The U.S. can help India serve as a counterweight to China by supporting Delhi’s de-risking efforts.

Type: Analysis

What Do Changes in China’s Nuclear Program Mean for India?

What Do Changes in China’s Nuclear Program Mean for India?

Thursday, March 13, 2025

At the end of 2024, the annual U.S. Department of Defense report on military and security developments in China reinforced evolving assessments of China’s rapid nuclear expansion with an alarming projection: The U.S. expects China to have 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030 despite having maintained a nuclear arsenal of approximately 300 warheads for decades.

Type: Analysis

Modi’s Washington Visit Signals U.S.-India Ties Will Continue Upswing

Modi’s Washington Visit Signals U.S.-India Ties Will Continue Upswing

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington marked the fourth meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and a foreign leader since the start of the new administration. Despite differences over tariffs, Modi’s trip signaled that U.S.-Indian relations will continue along the positive trajectory seen in recent years, particularly in defense and technology cooperation. Trump made clear that he sees value in India’s role as a counterweight to China, but that he also views Delhi as an important player and key partner outside the context of strategic rivalry.

Type: Question and Answer

Daniel Markey on U.S.-India Ties in the Year Ahead

Daniel Markey on U.S.-India Ties in the Year Ahead

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

U.S.-India relations under the new Trump administration “got off to a decent start” with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington, D.C., last week, says USIP’s Daniel Markey, who added that while there is some friction over looming tariffs, the U.S. approach to trade and defense seemed to be “music to India’s ears.”

Type: Podcast

I2U2: India’s Diplomatic Tool for a Changing World Order

I2U2: India’s Diplomatic Tool for a Changing World Order

Monday, February 3, 2025

Using I2U2 as its main case study, this discussion paper looks specifically at New Delhi’s rationale for pursuing minilaterals that extend beyond bilateral ties and avoid the rigidities associated with formal multilateral groupings. I2U2 is the first minilateral involving India and the United States in the Middle East and also offers an example of how the two countries may work cooperatively on regional initiatives that complement one another’s strategic and economic interests.

Type: Discussion Paper

Assessing India’s Perceptions of China’s Nuclear Expansion

Assessing India’s Perceptions of China’s Nuclear Expansion

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

China’s ongoing expansion of its nuclear arsenal may be aimed at eventually achieving nuclear parity with the United States. But regardless of the rationale, China’s nuclear expansion, along with possible changes to its nuclear doctrine, are of great concern to India, its neighbor in South Asia. This report—based on interviews with nearly two dozen Indian security experts, including former military and government officials—assesses India’s strategic thinking on China’s nuclear expansion, and what consequences it may have for India’s own nuclear development and US interests in Asia.

Type: Special Report

Can India Advance Peace in Ukraine?

Can India Advance Peace in Ukraine?

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, India has worked to protect its strategic relationship with Russia while maintaining its burgeoning ties with the United States and Europe. India’s balancing act was on display earlier this year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia in July and made a historic trip to Ukraine the following month. Modi has portrayed a neutral stance on the Ukraine war and positioned India as a key player in any potential peace process.

Type: Question and Answer

India on One Side, China on the Other: Small-State Security in the Himalayas

India on One Side, China on the Other: Small-State Security in the Himalayas

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

While much attention has been given to competition in the Indo-Pacific, the Himalayan landlocked countries of Nepal and Bhutan have been navigating their foreign policy and domestic priorities amid heightened global competition — especially between their regional neighbors India and China — while also pursuing critical economic and development needs.

Type: Question and Answer

How the India-China Border Deal Impacts Their Ties and the U.S.

How the India-China Border Deal Impacts Their Ties and the U.S.

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Since a 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops along their countries’ long disputed border, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC), friction has mounted between the two Asian powers. But the two sides reached a deal in late October to de-escalate tensions. Although the details remain murky, India and China have already pulled back troops from two key flashpoint areas on the Himalayan frontier. Still, it remains to be seen what this means for the broader, frosty India-China relationship. The U.S. and India have significantly strengthened security ties in recent years, in part responding to China’s rise and aggressive behavior in the region. So, Washington will be watching closely to see what comes next.

Type: Question and Answer