India and the United States: A Strategic Partnership

The 2009 nuclear agreement between the United States and India transformed relations between the two countries, further advanced by new economic, cultural and social ties. In the months after the two countries concluded the nuclear agreement, the Obama administration and the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh committed themselves to further developing their bilateral relations. In July 2009, Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met in New Delhi and pledged that the two states would develop an enhanced strategic partnership. They met again on June 3, 2010 in Washington.

On June 4, Foreign Policy at Brookings and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry hosted a conference to explore the content and purpose of this partnership as seen from Washington and New Delhi. This event focused on two dimensions: the overlap and intersection of American and Indian policies in Asia and the impact of growing economic ties. Panelists discussed the future direction of the U.S.-India relationship and U.S. and Indian strategic interests in Asia. The event was part of a new South Asia initiative at Brookings that focuses on the interconnected issues facing this vital region today.