Over the decades, the geopolitical landscape between the United States and India has reached new heights. Though this partnership has garnered significant attention, it’s essential to recognize that India’s engagement with the U.S. is driven more by pragmatic considerations than by a deep-rooted alliance. The growing proximity between the two nations is largely a strategic move by India. India’s ultimate aim is to counter the rise of its neighbor, China, rather than to align wholesale with American interests. So, in a geopolitical context, the U.S.-India pact is driven by regional supremacy over a geopolitical rival.

India’s strategic alignment with the United States has been significantly influenced by the need to counterbalance China’s growing assertiveness in Asia. Over the past decade, China has expanded its influence through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and increased military activities in the South China Sea. Moreover, India is almost surrounded by China-friendly nations. This expansionist agenda has raised alarms in New Delhi, which sees a direct threat to its own regional dominance and security.

The Doklam standoff in 2017, where Indian and Chinese troops faced off at the Bhutan-China-India tri-junction, exposed the tangible nature of this threat. Subsequently, the deadly clashes in the Galwan Valley in 2020 highlighted the volatile state of Sino-Indian relations. These incidents have propelled India to seek stronger security and economic ties with the United States, a nation with the military and economic clout to counterbalance China.

India’s participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which includes the U.S., Japan, and Australia, is a clear manifestation of this strategy. The Quad aims to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, implicitly countering China’s regional influence. India’s........

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