Donald Trump is all set to take the oath as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025, and even before his return, there has been much speculation in global politics, especially regarding his foreign policy. For India, this is especially significant because everyone is curious about how Trump’s second term will shape India-US relations. Before Trump’s swearing-in, let’s look back at how the past 10 US presidents managed their relationship with India.

1. Richard Nixon (1969-1974) – Republican During Nixon’s presidency, relations between India and the US were far from cordial. Nixon was a staunch supporter of Pakistan, and his administration’s actions were often seen as hostile to India. One of the most controversial moments of his presidency was the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, during which Nixon sent the US Navy into the Bay of Bengal to intimidate India. After India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, Nixon imposed sanctions on India. His personal views about India, including disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Indian women, further strained the relationship. Despite his exit due to the Watergate scandal, relations did not improve under his successor, Gerald Ford.
2. Jimmy Carter (1977-1981) – Democrat Jimmy Carter’s presidency saw a slight thaw in the cold relationship between India and the US. Carter visited India in 1978 to improve ties, which had soured due to the 1971 war and India’s nuclear tests. He supported India’s economic development plans and advocated for increased trade between the two countries. However, Carter was concerned about India’s growing proximity to the Soviet Union, which complicated the relationship.
3. Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) – Republican Under Reagan, India-US relations showed gradual improvement. The two countries cooperated in technology and information exchange, particularly during the tenures of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. In 1982, Indira Gandhi visited the US, where discussions with Reagan helped ease tensions over nuclear energy. Reagan’s administration sought to improve relations, though there were still several areas of disagreement.
4. George H. W. Bush (1989-1993) – Republican George H. W. Bush’s administration is often credited with fostering more respectful relations between the US and India. His administration worked towards ensuring peace between India and Pakistan and encouraged the signing of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between the two nations. Despite India’s political instability during this time, Bush expressed confidence in India’s democratic system. However, his stance on Pakistan, which was seen as lenient, drew some criticism.
5. Bill Clinton (1993-2001) – Democrat Bill Clinton played a significant role in strengthening economic ties with India, although he imposed sanctions on the country after the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998. Nevertheless, during the 1999 Kargil war, Clinton made it clear to Pakistan that the US would not support them unless they withdrew their forces from India’s territory. Clinton visited India in 2000, marking a pivotal moment in the relationship, and his visit underscored America’s growing interest in India.
6. George W. Bush (2001-2009) – Republican George W. Bush ushered in a new era in India-US relations. His administration lifted sanctions that had been imposed after the 1998 nuclear tests and pushed forward key defense agreements. One of the landmark events during Bush’s presidency was the signing of the Indo-US nuclear deal, which allowed India to pursue a civilian nuclear program without signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This marked a major shift in US policy towards India.
7. Barack Obama (2009-2017) – Democrat Barack Obama’s presidency saw a significant elevation of India-US ties. The Indo-US Strategic Dialogue was launched, and Obama visited India in 2010, where he addressed the Indian Parliament and expressed support for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council. Obama also recognized India as a major defense partner and announced a trade deal worth $14.9 billion. Obama’s tenure marked the beginning of an era of closer cooperation in defense and security between the two countries.
8. Donald Trump (2017-2021) – Republican During Donald Trump’s first term as President, the US-India relationship strengthened, particularly in terms of strategic ties, although there were tensions over economic issues. Trump’s administration made moves like tightening H1B visa regulations and imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, which affected India. However, India’s inclusion in the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) was a significant step forward in strengthening strategic ties. Personal interactions between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including events like “Howdy Modi” and “Namaste Trump,” showcased the growing personal camaraderie between the two leaders.
9. Joe Biden (2021-2025) – Democrat Under Joe Biden’s leadership, India-US relations reached new heights, particularly in the areas of technology and defense. Biden signed agreements with India for cooperation in the manufacturing of jet engines, chips, and space research. There was a growing focus on digital technology and securing mineral supply chains, which helped position India as a global tech hub.

In conclusion, the trajectory of India-US relations has been shaped by several factors, including political shifts in both countries and evolving global dynamics. As Donald Trump returns for a second term, it will be interesting to see how his foreign policy impacts the future of this important bilateral relationship.