India and the United States are the two most populous democracies in the world. They are also among the top three economies in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) terms. In dollar terms, India is now in sixth position as a consequence of the falling value of the rupee. Efforts are expected from the Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India to boost the international value of the rupee so that the currency moves up the rankings in dollar terms as well.
Although discussions about India-US relations often begin with India’s independence from British rule, the two countries have been connected since the American Independence Movement of 1776. The bales of tea thrown into Boston Harbor in protest against British taxation were sourced from India. Both nations were once British colonies, although the United States secured its independence much earlier than India.
Freedoms are embedded in the Constitutions of both countries. In the United States, every citizen was guaranteed the right to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Freedom of speech was also incorporated into both Constitutions. In India, however, that freedom was curtailed within months through a constitutional amendment imposing certain restrictions. Even so, freedom of expression remains vibrant today, particularly with the rise of modern communication technologies that make it difficult to suppress online discourse within a country.
In the United States, Twitter had previously restricted then-President Donald Trump’s freedom of expression under its former ownership, but that policy changed after Elon Musk acquired the platform and repositioned it as a more neutral medium for public discourse.
Online interactions and people-to-people ties between India and the United States remain extensive. Bilateral relations have strengthened through migration from India as well as the goodwill enjoyed by Indians across much of the United States, despite the existence of a small anti-India fringe.
Around six million people of Indian origin live in the United States, making the community politically significant. Had Kamala Harris been elected President, she would have become the first US President of partial Indian ancestry. However, her association with President Joe Biden, combined with Donald Trump’s vigorous campaign, resulted in Trump securing a second term.
President Trump subsequently appointed several Indian Americans to key positions within his administration and the White House. The current Second Lady, Usha Vance, also traces her roots to India, with both her parents having emigrated from the country.
Across the United States, Indian Americans have excelled in education and healthcare. They are prominent as students and faculty members at colleges and universities, while Indian-origin doctors serve in hospitals across the country, including many of its leading medical institutions. Many Americans often remark that Indian American doctors are among the few willing to work weekends without complaint.
Indian Americans have also achieved remarkable success in the technology sector. Several of the world’s leading information technology companies are either headed by Indians or Indian Americans, or have them occupying senior leadership positions. The same trend is visible in the field of artificial intelligence.
The competition between the United States and China for leadership in artificial intelligence remains intense and has become strategically important for both economies. While China continues to project confidence about its future, signs of economic stress remain visible, including declining housing prices. In contrast, housing prices in the United States continue to rise, in some cases beyond the reach of many citizens.
Another profession in which Indian Americans have established a strong presence is the legal field. If the Democratic Party were to regain control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives and form the government, legal scholar Neal Katyal has often been mentioned as a possible candidate for the US Supreme Court.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi enjoys a wide network of supporters across the United States. During his first visit to the country after becoming Prime Minister, he addressed a packed audience at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The venue has since hosted several major events, including the high-profile wedding celebrations of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on July 3.
Given the close ties between the peoples of India and the United States, celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence were held across parts of both countries.
A meaningful way to commemorate 250 years of the United States would be to make quality housing, healthcare, education and leisure more affordable for a larger section of its population. Indian Americans are likely to continue playing an important role in achieving that objective.
Relations between India and the United States are expected to strengthen further during the Modi 3.0 government, benefiting both countries.
