The Harsh Transactional Reality Behind India-US 'Strategic Partnership'

The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump concluded with positive sentiment, with Trump praising Modi's leadership. Despite the personal chemistry, the current White House administration prioritizes transactional partnerships over shared values. This shift in focus is evident in the reduced salience of regional frameworks and a focus on economic dominance through bilateral agreements like COMPACT and SOSA. While India and the US have agreed to deepen cooperation in various areas, operational progress remains sluggish due to supply chain bottlenecks and geopolitical tensions. India must prioritize streamlining its business environment and strengthening its industrial infrastructure to secure a more robust strategic partnership with the US.