THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC ON THE US-INDIA RELATIONS

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC ON THE US-INDIA RELATIONS

- MANJYOT SINGH TALWAR

Introduction

COVID-19 global pandemic also known as Coronavirus has halted the pace at which the global economy was moving. According to UNDP, it is the global health crisis of our time and the greatest challenge we have faced since World War II. COVID has turned out to be a global pandemic with about 83,715,617 cases worldwide, which is for sure to affect the relations between nations. It has severely affected the functioning of all the wheels which every nation needs to move forward. And altogether, also affected the relations between countries. Some in a positive way i.e., India & US, and some in a negative way between China & US - also a number of other economic powers & China.

Here, we will be discussing the impact of COVID-19 on US-India relations. We will understand the impact of COVID-19 on the transformation that has taken place in the relations of these two countries. But before that, we will discuss the relations between these two countries before COVID-19.

Historical perspective to US-India relations

After India’s independence, the graph of relations between US-India has never been as stable until 1991. The relations between the world’s two largest democracies have been overshadowed in the past by a number of factors:

• Entry of Pakistan into US-led SEATO (Southeast Treaty Organisation) in 1954 & CENTO (Baghdad Pact Org.) in 1955, which in turn led to India developing strategic relations with USSR.

• The official entry of NAM in 1955, and India playing a major role was again a bone of contention as the USA believed that India was having strong relations with USSR and not following its principles.