NEW DELHI ¨C On his recent visit to India, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio predictably touted India as one of America¡¯s ¡°most important strategic partners,¡± citing the two countries¡¯ shared values, ¡°people-to-people ties,¡± and strategic alignment on ¡°all of the key issues that will define the new century.¡± But this familiar language of partnership rings increasingly hollow.
Much has been said about the impact U.S. President Donald Trump¡¯s public insults and weaponization of tariffs have had on America¡¯s relations with India. But the bilateral relationship was under pressure well before Trump¡¯s return to the White House in 2025. In recent years, as India¡¯s regional standing has been steadily eroded by China¡¯s expanding strategic footprint, the United States has pursued policies in India¡¯s strategic backyard that have disregarded Indian interests ¡ª and sometimes run directly counter to them.
Bangladesh is a case in point. After the military-backed ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina¡¯s government in 2024, the U.S. endorsed regime change. But India knew this posed serious risks, which have since materialized: Bangladesh is now gripped by Islamist violence, jeopardizing stability on India¡¯s eastern flank.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.