Experts Warn of Trust Deficit in India-US Relations

Policymakers and experts at the Hudson Institute's New India Conference in Washington on April 23 identified a deepening lack of mutual trust as the primary challenge facing India-US relations. Panelists described the partnership as entering a difficult phase marked by policy uncertainty, misaligned expectations, and bureaucratic friction regarding defense and trade cooperation.

Kurt Campbell, former US Deputy Secretary of State, noted that emotional and political factors have caused a profound hurt among Indian partners. Elizabeth Threlkeld of the Stimson Center added that both nations tend to view their own limits as necessities while perceiving the other side's limits as choices.

Despite these strains, Ram Madhav stated that the Indian government remains committed to pursuing a potential trade agreement and re-engaging with initiatives such as the I2U2 and the India-Middle East-Europe corridor. Conference participants concluded that restoring the relationship requires a candid reassessment of shared interests and sustained political attention to resolve structural gaps.