From Partners to Rivals? Inside the U.S.–India Rift and the BRICS Challenge

 From Partners to Rivals? Inside the U.S.–India Rift and the BRICS Challenge

Introduction: Once Allies in Spirit, Now Drifting Apart?

For much of the past two decades, the United States and India have been described as “natural allies.” The expression became a key part of diplomatic speeches, viewpoint pieces, and think tank panels. The world’s largest democracy and the world’s oldest democracy seemed bound together by shared values democratic governance, a market-oriented economy, and an interest in countering authoritarian power.

But in recent years, the tone has shifted. While trade numbers remain strong and defense cooperation continues, political influence, tariff disputes, and strategic realignments hint at an undercurrent of distrust. At the same time, India has deepened its engagement with BRICS-a bloc historically viewed in Washington as a counterweight to Western influence.

The question is: Are the U.S. and India moving from partners toward rivals, or is this just another complex chapter in an enduring but pragmatic relationship?

1. The Foundations of the U.S.–India Partnership

The post-Cold War period marked a turning point. For decades during the Cold War, India leaned toward the Soviet Union, while the United States backed Pakistan as a strategic ally. The collapse of the USSR forced New Delhi to shift, and by the late 1990s, after India’s nuclear tests and the Kargil War, Washington saw India as a potential long-term counterbalance to China.

Key milestones:

2005 U.S.–India Civil Nuclear Agreement: A landmark deal that normalized nuclear cooperation despite India not being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Defence Framework Agreement: Boosted arms sales and joint military exercises.

Quad Revitalization: With Japan and Australia, the Quad became a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific security.

These moves positioned India not just as a regional partner but as part of Washington’s global strategic  weighing.

2. The Rift Emerges: Trade, Tariffs, and Strategic Autonomy

The first signs of tension came under the Trump administration. In 2019, the U.S. revoked India’s special trade status under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), citing market access barriers. Tariffs followed on both sides. While Biden has sought to mend trade ties, India’s policy of “strategic autonomy” a refusal to join fully with any one power has repeatedly frustrated American policymakers.

The Ukraine war brought these differences into sharp relief. The U.S. expected democratic allies to condemn and sanction Russia. India, however, increased purchases of discounted Russian oil and maintained a neutral diplomatic stance, citing its own national interest.

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3. Enter BRICS: The Expanding Challenge to Western Influence

BRICS-Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa-was once seen as primarily an economic cooperation forum among emerging economies. Over the last decade, however, it has evolved into a political platform for challenging Western-dominated institutions like the IMF and World Bank.

India’s role in BRICS is complicated:

It benefits from alternative financing structures like the New Development Bank.

BRICS provides diplomatic balance against China’s dominance in other forums.

It allows India to strengthen ties with the Global South, positioning itself as a voice for developing nations.

But the narrative matter. Washington views BRICS, especially with China and Russia at the table as a potential geopolitical rival bloc.

4. China Factor: The Paradox of Rivalry and Cooperation

The U.S. sees China as its primary strategic competitor, and India shares its concerns, particularly after the 2020 border clashes in Ladakh. This has driven closer defense cooperation under the Quad and other bilateral frameworks.

Yet, BRICS meetings often showcase India and China cooperating on economic initiatives, a point of discomfort for U.S. strategists. For India, separating economic cooperation from security disputes is a necessity; for Washington, it looks like strategic ambiguity.

5. The West vs. Global South Narrative

India’s foreign policy today revolves around one key idea: multi-alignment. Rather than choosing sides, New Delhi engages with all major blocs to extract maximum economic and strategic benefit. This approach appeals to many developing nations frustrated by the West’s requirements and historical dominance.

BRICS plays directly into this Global South narrative offering development financing, infrastructure support, and diplomatic platforms without the governance conditions often attached to Western aid.

6. The Military and Security Dimension

While economic disputes grab headlines, military ties remain one of the strongest pillars of U.S.–India relations:

The U.S. is now among India’s top defense suppliers.

Joint exercises like “Yudh Abhyas” have grown in scale and complexity.

Intelligence-sharing agreements advance maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific.

Still, India’s continued defense trade with Russia and its reluctance to join U.S.-led security pacts beyond the Quad remind Washington that New Delhi won’t be a treaty-bound ally like NATO members.

7. BRICS Expansion: A Strategic Headache for Washington

The recent expansion of BRICS to include countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt signals a shift from an economic club to a potentially influential geopolitical bloc. If BRICS can coordinate on currency alternatives to the dollar or develop unified positions on global crises, the U.S.-led order could face genuine challenges.

India’s participation is crucial to BRICS’ credibility—it provides democratic legitimacy and a counterbalance to Chinese dominance. This puts New Delhi in a position of leverage, but also in the crosshairs of U.S. skepticism.

8. Energy Politics and Economic Leverage

Energy security is a silent but decisive factor in the U.S.–India–BRICS equation.

Russia offers discounted oil.

The Middle East now partly within BRICS remains vital for India’s energy imports.

The U.S., while a growing energy exporter, ties its trade policies to political expectations.

India is now trying different paths to ensures it won’t be dependent on any single source, but it also means standing against pressure from Washington to limit energy deals with BRICS members.

9. The Road Ahead: Competition Within Cooperation

The next decade will likely see the U.S. and India operating in a “competitive partnership” model:

Cooperating on countering China in the Indo-Pacific.

Clashing on trade, technology regulation, and diplomatic partnerships.

Managing differences over BRICS and Global South initiatives.

Both sides know the relationship is too strategically valuable to collapse, but also too independent-minded to ever be efficient.

The: Partnership Redefined, Not Abandoned

The U.S.–India relationship is not on the verge of collapse but it is undergoing a transformation. The era of assuming aligned interests is over. Instead, both nations are recalibrating their expectations, recognizing that cooperation will be selective and transactional.

For India, BRICS is not an anti-West project—it’s a platform to secure influence in a multipolar world. For the U.S., India remains a vital strategic partner, but one that will not be bound by Western geopolitical scripts.

Whether this evolving dynamic becomes a model for 21st-century diplomacy or a missed opportunity will depend on how well Washington and New Delhi can navigate their differences while leveraging their shared interests.

1. What is causing tension between the U.S. and India?

Tensions have emerged due to differences in foreign policy priorities, trade disputes, human rights concerns, and India’s increasing alignment with BRICS members like Russia and China on certain global economic issues. While both countries still maintain strong economic and defense ties, diverging geopolitical strategies have created friction.

2. Has the U.S.–India relationship always been this strained?

No. Over the past two decades, relations have generally improved, with cooperation in defense, technology, and climate initiatives. However, the recent geopolitical shifts—especially India’s independent stance on global conflicts and its growing involvement in BRICS—have tested the partnership.

3. How does BRICS factor into this rift?

BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa—and now expanding with new members) positions itself as an alternative to Western-led global institutions like the IMF and World Bank. India’s role in BRICS signals its interest in a more multipolar world order, which can sometimes clash with U.S. strategic objectives.

4. Is India moving away from the U.S. toward BRICS?

Not entirely. India is pursuing a “multi-alignment” strategy—maintaining strong ties with the U.S. while also deepening relations with BRICS partners. It’s less about abandoning one bloc for another and more about expanding influence across multiple fronts.

5. What are the economic stakes in this rivalry?

The U.S. is one of India’s largest trading partners, while BRICS offers India alternative trade routes, financial cooperation, and energy security. Balancing these economic relationships is critical for India’s growth and strategic autonomy.

6. How does China’s presence in BRICS affect U.S.–India relations?

China’s leadership role in BRICS complicates matters. India’s ongoing border disputes and strategic rivalry with China mean that cooperation within BRICS is often cautious, while the U.S. remains a counterbalance to Chinese influence in Asia.

7. Could this rift lead to a complete breakdown in U.S.–India ties?

Highly unlikely in the short term. Both nations share mutual benefits in defense, trade, and regional security. However, unresolved tensions—if left unchecked—could slow down cooperation in areas like technology transfer, military partnerships, and diplomatic alignment.

8. What role does Russia play in this equation?

Russia is a key BRICS member and a long-standing defense partner for India. India’s reluctance to condemn Russia’s actions in recent conflicts has caused friction with Washington, which is pushing for stronger global sanctions.

9. How might this rivalry impact global geopolitics?

If the U.S.–India rift deepens, it could accelerate the shift toward a multipolar world where emerging economies wield more influence. This could weaken the dominance of Western-led alliances and strengthen alternative blocs like BRICS.

10. What’s next for U.S.–India relations?

Future relations will depend on how well both countries manage their differences while prioritizing mutual benefits. High-level diplomatic engagements, trade negotiations, and defense collaborations will be key to keeping the relationship stable.