Access to major manufacturing technologies heralds a new era of partnership that will go beyond ‘just’ defence and climate action. Unlike what sections of the Western media are describing the new closeness as – India as America’s ‘latest BFF’ – the glue is less ’emotional’, more practical. Which is a good thing. Both parties need each other for concrete reasons, tackling China being a prime, but not only one.
Perhaps, for the first time, an Indian PM will be going to Washington as an equal partner, not just on shared concerns but also armed with capacity to leverage respective advantages for the larger common good. India and the US are not just redefining their bilateral relationship but also the contours of bilateral relations as a whole, which can accrue to India, US and the world that seems to be suffering from a prolonged bout of ADHD.
It is also a partnership that was a long time coming. The alignment of two liberal democracies was ‘held up’ for historical reasons and policy white noise. Modi steps up to the plate when India has much to offer, and is less shy to receive. Biden, on his part, understands that the commitment to values with complex real-world considerations means having India firmly on board, no longer for sightseeing but as a co-driver. With technology at the core of this new realignment, this could be the beginning of a dominant relationship. A ‘beautiful’ one can soon follow.
