Interview with Dr. Amirhooshang Mirkooshesh, Editor-in-Chief of the Iranian Journal of International Relations, with ILNA
An expert on U.S. affairs stated that in the near future, New Delhi would become the most important trading partner of the United States. This is why trade and military agreements were more prominent than other issues during the recent visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Washington.
Amirhooshang Mirkooshesh, an expert on U.S. affairs, explained the dimensions and reasons behind the Indian Prime Minister's visit to the U.S. in an interview with ILNA. He stated that the United States has a broad, primarily unwritten strategy under which other strategies are categorized. Interestingly, India plays a very significant role in this strategy and is considered one of the main allies of the U.S. It is important to understand that the main challenge for the U.S. in the near future will be China, and it can no longer be said that Russia is the primary threat and target for the U.S., as Russia is now embroiled in Ukraine. The continuation of this war will cause Moscow more problems. Meanwhile, China has declared in its strategy that it will emerge as a regional power by 2049, which is why Beijing is seeking military superiority.
He continued by saying that the U.S. has invested in its allies, with India being one of the key players, primarily to counter China. It should be noted that it's not just Biden or the U.S. Congress that has invested in India, but the entire U.S. establishment is keen on strengthening New Delhi. From Washington's perspective, India is considered the first line of defense against China, alongside Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. Recent statistics show that India's population has surpassed China's, and in many industries, India has even outpaced China. India has also excelled in technology, artificial intelligence, and related fields, making New Delhi a crucial and key U.S. ally in the subcontinent.
The political analyst pointed out that India’s military and arms ergonomics are largely Eastern, rooted in Russian weapons, and the U.S. has sought to create a noticeable shift in this area by selling arms to New Delhi and bringing India under its umbrella in this domain. Additionally, Indian culture, unlike China's, is relatively closer to that of the U.S., with the Bollywood-Hollywood connection serving as a cultural commonality. However, India has not taken a clear stance on the Ukraine war, and it is possible that after Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S., India may join the American campaign against Russia.
He added that the most important aspect of the relationship between the two countries is trade. Interestingly, bilateral trade is estimated at around $200 billion annually, indicating that New Delhi will soon become the U.S.'s most important trading partner. This is why trade and military agreements were emphasized during the Indian Prime Minister's recent visit to Washington. While human rights groups criticize the Indian Prime Minister and his cabinet's treatment of Muslims, this is considered a domestic issue, but it should be noted that the U.S. might leverage this issue for its own benefit and could potentially increase pressure on Modi regarding this matter in the near future to deter him from such actions.
This university professor noted that India has a well-defined democracy, one of the largest in the world, and maintaining this democracy is crucial for India. Moreover, Indian society is undergoing a transformation, which is causing concern in China. It should be recognized that Beijing currently has border disputes with India but is trying to avoid a full-scale conflict. If India continues to grow and develop, and China feels threatened, Beijing will undoubtedly take action against New Delhi, possibly even attacking Taiwan to bring it under its control. Simultaneously, the prevailing poverty in India could gradually diminish, and in my opinion, by 2049, India's primary ally in the subcontinent, which is also a nuclear power, could emerge as a significant phenomenon in the international system.
Mirkooshesh concluded by stating that Japan, Australia, South Korea, and Canada should also be considered as new and important allies of the United States alongside India. A point to consider is the economic interdependence between China and the U.S., which can be dangerous for both sides. When Washington and Beijing engage in political turbulence, both economies are affected, which is why the red carpet that Biden rolled out for Modi reflects not just the White House’s view but the entire upper structure of the U.S., which believes that India, as the U.S.'s main ally, should be supported in every way.
Editorial Team of the Iranian Journal of International Relations
