Washington, June 4: India and the United States have succeeded in stabilising their bilateral relationship after a challenging period in 2025, but restoring the level of trust and ambition that characterised the partnership in recent years will require sustained effort from both sides, according to former senior US diplomat Nisha Desai Biswal.
Speaking in an interview with IANS, Biswal said both governments have taken deliberate steps over the past year to improve engagement and prevent tensions from undermining broader strategic cooperation.
According to her, recent diplomatic interactions, including the visit of Marco Rubio to India, have helped reinforce stability in the relationship, even though some long-standing concerns remain unresolved.
“What I would say is, we’ve seen US-India relations climb back after a very tough 2025,” Biswal said, noting that both sides have made concerted efforts to strengthen engagement and maintain momentum in key areas of cooperation.
She described Rubio’s visit as part of an ongoing process aimed at ensuring continuity and stability in bilateral ties rather than a breakthrough moment that resolved all outstanding issues.
At the same time, Biswal acknowledged that certain concerns continue to influence perceptions in New Delhi, particularly regarding Washington’s engagement with Pakistan.
She noted that some policymakers and observers in India remain cautious about the evolving US-Pakistan relationship and suggested that Rubio’s visit may not have fully addressed those apprehensions.
Despite these challenges, Biswal stressed that the overall foundations of the India-US partnership remain robust and continue to support expanding cooperation across multiple strategic sectors.
She pointed to areas such as critical minerals, digital technologies, supply-chain resilience, and emerging technology partnerships as sectors where collaboration is expected to deepen in the coming years.
According to Biswal, one of the strongest factors driving closer cooperation is the growing convergence among democratic nations in responding to technological competition and the future of digital infrastructure.
She said India, the United States, Europe, and Japan increasingly share common interests in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, pharmaceuticals, and critical supply chains.
The former diplomat rejected suggestions that recent challenges had reversed decades of progress in bilateral relations. Instead, she argued that the relationship has entered a more cautious phase where both sides are focused on preserving existing gains while rebuilding confidence.
“I would not say that it has been undone,” she said, adding that the larger question concerns how ambitious the relationship can become in the present geopolitical environment.
According to Biswal, there is currently a greater emphasis on stabilising and maintaining the achievements already secured rather than pursuing dramatic new initiatives. However, she acknowledged that some degree of trust erosion has occurred and could limit the pace of future expansion until confidence is restored.
On economic engagement, Biswal expressed optimism regarding ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries.
She said discussions appear to be approaching the final stages and voiced confidence that a trade agreement could be reached in the near future. A first-phase deal, she suggested, could create momentum for broader negotiations covering manufacturing, digital ecosystems, market access, and non-tariff barriers.
Biswal served as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs between 2013 and 2017, a period widely regarded as one of significant growth in the India-US strategic partnership. She currently serves as a partner at The Asia Group, where she advises businesses on geopolitical and economic developments across the Indo-Pacific region.
Over the past two decades, India and the United States have expanded cooperation in defence, trade, energy, critical technologies, education, and people-to-people exchanges. The partnership is increasingly viewed by both countries as a key pillar of stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.
Both nations are also members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, alongside Japan and Australia, a grouping that promotes a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific amid growing strategic competition across the region.
While challenges remain, Biswal’s assessment suggests that both New Delhi and Washington are focused on preserving the momentum of one of the world’s most consequential strategic partnerships, even as they work to rebuild trust and chart the next phase of cooperation.
