This course examines the evolution of India–United States relations from India’s post-independence period to the present, placing bilateral engagement within the broader context of global geopolitics. The class explores how India’s emphasis on strategic autonomy, economic development, and regional security shaped its early interactions with the United States, despite shared democratic values. It then traces the shift toward deeper cooperation following India’s economic reforms and expanding global role in the post-1990s era.

Key areas of focus include defense and security cooperation, trade and technology partnerships, civil nuclear engagement, and the strategic significance of the Indo-Pacific region. The course also addresses ongoing tensions and constraints in the relationship, including differences over strategic autonomy, trade policy, and relations with major global powers. By examining India–U.S. relations within an increasingly multipolar world order, participants will gain a balanced understanding of both convergence and divergence in one of the most consequential bilateral relationships of the twenty-first century.