India: The Largest Democracy and a Crucial Strategic Partner for the United States

The Biden administration has emphasized the importance of India as a strategic partner of the US. This affirmation came amid concerns raised in the context of critical articles and opinion pieces about the Indian government ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. In response to questions about alleged democratic backsliding and a crackdown on opposition in India, US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller reasserted India’s significance as the world’s largest democracy and an important strategic partner of the United States, expecting this status to remain unchanged.

US officials have previously underscored India’s pivotal role as a very important partner, and the ongoing growth of the bilateral relationship. However, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Official State Visit to the White House last year, some unease has arisen in the relationship. This unease is particularly evident in relation to the issue of the Sikh separatist movement in the US and the unusual statement made by the State Department regarding the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, to which India strongly objected.