The Evolution of U.S.-Indian Ties: Missile Defense in an Emerging Strategic Relationship

{
  "authors": [
    "Ashley J. Tellis"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "SAP",
  "programs": [
    "South Asia"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States",
    "South Asia",
    "India"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Nuclear Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

The Evolution of U.S.-Indian Ties: Missile Defense in an Emerging Strategic Relationship

Missile defenses have come to reflect both an example of, and a means toward, the steady improvement in U.S.-Indian ties occurring in recent years. A deepening bilateral relationship has become part of New Delhi's larger solution to increasing India's capacity to defeat those threats requiring active defenses in the future.

By Ashley J. Tellis

Published on May 11, 2006

Source: International Security

The shift in Indian positions on missile defense in the context of the growing transformation of U.S.-Indian relations since the end of the Cold War, and particularly since the advent of the George W. Bush administration, has been remarkable. Factors such as the dissolution of U.S.-Indian antagonism, threats posed by weapons of mass destruction and their associated delivery systems in the hands of hostile states, and the Indian and American desire to forge a new partnership grounded in democratic values and oriented toward promoting geopolitical equilibrium in Asia, have produced a dramatic new acceptance of strategic defenses as conducive to stability on the part of New Delhi.

In International Security article, “The Evolution of U.S.-Indian Ties: Missile Defense in an Emerging Strategic Relationship,” Carnegie Senior Associate, Ashley J. Tellis argues that what is fascinating about this evolution is the manner in which missile defenses have come to reflect both an example of, and a means toward, the steady improvement in U.S.-Indian ties occurring in recent years. This, in turn, implies that a deepening bilateral relationship has become part of New Delhi's larger solution to increasing India's capacity to defeat those threats requiring active defenses in the future.

Click here for the full text of the article (Subscription Required).

About the Author

Ashley J. Tellis

Former Senior Fellow

Ashley J. Tellis was a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Recent Work

Paper
Multipolar Dreams, Bipolar Realities: India’s Great Power Future
- Ashley J. Tellis
Commentary
India Sees Opportunity in Trump’s Global Turbulence. That Could Backfire.
- Ashley J. Tellis

Nuclear Policy North America United States South Asia India

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Commentary
Diwan
Where is the Groundwork for Lebanon’s Negotiations With Israel?
A prerequisite of serious talks is that the country’s leadership consolidates majority national support for such a process.
Michael Young
Commentary
Diwan
A Military Balance Sheet in the U.S. and Israeli War With Iran
In an interview, Jim Lamson discusses the ongoing regional conflict and sees an unclear picture when it comes to winners and losers.
Michael Young
Commentary
Diwan
Lebanon Needs a New Negotiating Strategy with Israel
Unless Beirut lowers expectations, any setbacks will end up bolstering Hezbollah’s narrative.
Mohanad Hage Ali
Commentary
Diwan
Egypt’s Discrete Role in the Ceasefire with Iran
Cairo’s efforts send a message to the United States and the region that it still has a place at the diplomatic table.
Angie Omar
Commentary
Diwan
Realism and the Lebanon-Israel Talks
Beirut’s desire to break free from Iranian hegemony may push it into a situation where it has to accept Israel’s hegemony.
Michael Young

The Evolution of U.S.-Indian Ties: Missile Defense in an Emerging Strategic Relationship