India US Relations – Burning Issues

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The News

Exactly one year ago former US President Donald Trump spoke about the India-U.S. relationship, and his own relationship with his “true friend” Prime Minister Narendra Modi in glowing terms.
A lot has changed in one year. Trump has left the Oval office and New President Joe Biden has taken over.
Lets look at the opportunities and challenges in front of Biden & Modi.

President Joe Biden has spent much of his first month in office changing Trump’s policies.
He has reversed the S.’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organization, the UN Human Rights Council.
He also cancelled the “Muslim” ban and other immigration policies, among a slew of other domestic measures through executive orders.

Will Biden Change Trump’s India policy?

Joe Biden is not at present planning to change the course Trump chose in building closer ties with India, including the push for the Quadrilateral and Indo-Pacific policy.
Biden called Mr. Modi right after he had called all treaty alliance partners.

S. Secretary of State, Anthony J. Blinken, and EAM S. Jaishankar also discussed the relations, in addition to having a virtual Quad Ministerial meeting.
S. Defence Secretary and National Security Adviser also had a call recently.
US Climate Change Envoy John Kerry also appeared on a discussion with EAM S.Jaishankar, where he praised India’s efforts on renewable energy and emissions.
Reccently, US State Department has revealed plans for an “an overarching MoU to enhance health cooperation” which will deal with COVID-19 testing, vaccination and critical drug supplies.
US administration has also decided to lift restrictions and caps on a number of visas and green cards.