India-US Relations in the Age of Uncertainty: An uneasy courtship(Rethinking Asia and International Relations)

In the initial phase of the Obama administration, India’s ruling class and strategic community formed a perception that the spirit of strategic partnership between the two countries might be diluted on account of China looming large in the priorities of this administration. Despite occasional hiccups in their relationship, this perception was overshadowed by the administration’s recognition of India’s role as counterweight to China in the Asia-Pacific region. This book addresses and re-evaluates the perceptions, policies and perspectives of public policy makers and bureaucratic elites in both India and the US in setting and articulating the tone, tenor and substance of the multi-faceted ties between the two countries. The scope of the book is not exclusively limited to the bilateral relationship in the critical areas such as the Indo-US nuclear deal, defence, security and strategic partnership. Its concerns and ramifications are much wider in global and regional contexts, covering/involving security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region, the interface between terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), China as a factor in India-US relations, and the fallout of the New Delhi-Washington partnership on South Asia.

Table of Contents:
1 India and the United States: Complex Interdependence 2 India–US Relations during the Cold War Era: An Overview 3 India-US Civilian Nuclear Energy Cooperation 4 India-US Defence and Security Relations 5 Strategic Dialogue 6 Indo-US Relations: The China Factor 7 India-US Relations: Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions

About the Author :
B.M. Jain is a former Senior Fellow at the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR, New Delhi) in India, and was Visiting Professor in the Departments of Political Science at both Cleveland State University and Binghamton University, USA. Previously he was Professor of Political Science at the University of Rajasthan at Jaipur, India, and Editor-in-Chief of the Indian Journal of Asian Affairs. He has been a visiting scholar at numerous universities and research institutes in the USA, Europe and Asia.

Review :
'This innovative analysis of a crucial relationship in contemporary world politics explores how Indian and American policymakers have managed their increasingly complex ties. Ranging across a number of issue areas, from civil nuclear cooperation to defence and security linkages, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in the evolution of the India-US partnership and the challenges that it faces.' Ian Hall, Griffith University, Australia ‘In this timely book, Professor B.M. Jain offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of US-India relations from "estranged democracies" to "strategic partners". He applies the "complex interdependence" model and brings forth the many nuances of this complex relationship and its implications for international order in the 21st century.’ T.V. Paul, McGill University, Canada 'This book is an enormously helpful tour d'horizon of the India-US relationship. It is in unusual in being alive to both historical and contemporary concerns. It documents just how varied this relationship is, and the various pulls and pressures that have shaped it. Readers will find it a rewarding book to engage with.' Pratap Bhanu Mehta, President & Chief Executive Centre for Policy Research Dharma Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi ‘This innovative analysis of a crucial relationship in contemporary world politics explores how Indian and American policymakers have managed their increasingly complex ties. Ranging across a number of issue areas, from civil nuclear cooperation to defence and security linkages, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in the evolution of the India-US partnership and the challenges that it faces.’ – Ian Hall, Griffith University, Australia ‘In this timely book, Professor B.M. Jain offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of US-India relations from "estranged democracies" to "strategic partners". He applies the "complex interdependence" model and brings forth the many nuances of this complex relationship and its implications for international order in the 21st century.’ – T.V. Paul, McGill University, Canada 'This book is an enormously helpful tour d'horizon of the India-US relationship. It is in unusual in being alive to both historical and contemporary concerns. It documents just how varied this relationship is, and the various pulls and pressures that have shaped it. Readers will find it a rewarding book to engage with.' - Pratap Bhanu Mehta, President & Chief Executive Centre for Policy Research Dharma Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi "The book presents a very comprehensive and insightful account of the chequered Indo-US relations and makes strong arguments deepening the strategic partnership between world’s oldest democracy and the largest democracy. The survey of literature in the book is exhaustive. The book is perhaps first of its kind to posit India-US relations in the framework “complex interdependence”." - Rup Narayan Das, The Pioneer