The United States urgently needs to forge a more profound and collaborative relationship with India, according to veteran former CIA officer James C. Lawler. Having served as the head of the agency’s Counter-Proliferation Division, Lawler believes the interests of Washington and New Delhi are remarkably compatible and that past ambivalences in their relationship are difficult to justify. He often found it puzzling why the two democracies, sharing core values and economic aspirations, weren’t consistently closer allies.
Lawler articulated his view that “American foreign policy is a big puzzle.” He strongly advocates for a significantly enhanced US-India relationship, citing converging strategic interests, robust economic ties, and the valuable contributions of Indian professionals in the US. He argues that as democracies embracing capitalist principles, both nations stand to gain immensely from working in concert rather than maintaining a reserved distance.
His sentiments resonate as the India-US partnership has seen periods of both strengthening and strain. Notably, the Trump administration’s trade policies and its stance on India’s energy imports from Russia created significant diplomatic challenges. India has consistently refuted allegations of fueling conflicts and has maintained that the resolution of issues with Pakistan is a bilateral matter.
Reflecting on historical context, Lawler mentioned that India’s past alignment with the Soviet Union and its procurement of Russian military technology presented complexities for US-India relations during his tenure. He proposed that the US should actively explore opportunities to provide India with more advanced technological capabilities. He views the recent reduction in Russian oil purchases by major Indian companies as a positive development that could pave the way for deeper strategic and economic cooperation.
In the context of evolving global dynamics, particularly the rise of China, Lawler emphasized the shared strategic concerns between the US and India. He called for an end to outdated Cold War mindsets and a renewed focus on identifying and amplifying mutual interests, asserting that a strengthened Indo-US alliance would significantly enhance global stability and security.