The next steps in the India-US partnership

Delhi needs to have an honest conversation about what Washington brings to the table, and continue its structural shift westwards

Last week's 2+2-or 3+3, with President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi first setting the direction of the talks between the foreign and defence ministers showed that India and the United States (US) have the maturity to deal with differences and keep their broader relationship intact.

This is good news for both countries. The Indian government understands the value of the relationship with the US as well as the manner in which Russia's invasion of Ukraine is making the West more powerful, more than what some its supporters on social media, who have resorted to a strange kind of anti-Americanism, would like to acknowledge. The US administration understands both the value of the relationship with India and the need to treat India as a sovereign entity with its own judgment and choices, more than a set of its own supporters, who would like Delhi to instantly fall in line with DC's preferences, do.

But while the 2+2 helped in managing differences for now, it is important for both capitals - but Delhi in particular - to have an honest conversation internally.

Within India, the system is divided. All actors know the US is important. But some appear to think that US power is on the decline, or that Joe Biden isn't entirely coherent in his decision-making, or that India is so indispensable that the West will continue to court it in the manner Delhi wants, irrespective of its position and actions. All of these are questionable premises.