The Indispensable Friendship: America’s Inability to Afford Losing India

**Title:** Understanding India and Strengthening US-India Relations | Conversation with Akhil Ramesh

**Description:**
Welcome to this conversation with Akhil Ramesh, a US foreign policy analyst and Senior Fellow at Pacific Forum. In this video, we delve into the importance of American civil society understanding India better, the significance of not losing any more friends for the United States, and exploring avenues for collaboration in the new digital global commons, space technology, and semiconductors between India and the US.

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**Keywords/Tags:** vid_tags, US-India relations, American civil society, digital global commons, space technology, semiconductors

**Transcript:** (*excerpt from the video*)

[Akhil Ramesh]: “In my article, I argue that while government-to-government conversations between India and the United States have significantly improved, there are still challenges at the track two level. American think tanks, non-profits, and the media sometimes maintain a condescending attitude towards nations of the global South, hindering progress. It is crucial that we transition from a unipolar mindset to a more equal and respectful engagement to strengthen US-India relations.”

[Akhil Ramesh]: “The Modi-State visit has received a strong reception, indicating a positive trajectory for US-India relations. However, there are differences at the track two level, particularly regarding discussions on internal affairs. India finds it contentious when track two questions the government on internal matters. Apart from these disagreements, the relationship is on stable ground.”

[Akhil Ramesh]: “While it may seem like there is a difference in how the two parties in the US – Republicans and Democrats – look at India, it is important to note that it is not purely a party issue. Some fringe elements within the Democratic party tend to favor authoritarian regimes over democracies. This is not unique to America; other countries face similar challenges.”

[Akhil Ramesh]: “If India were to raise issues like bombings during President Obama’s administration or internal affairs of other countries, it would be joining the ranks of Russia and China. However, Russia and China could successfully bring up such issues because they had strong global media influence. The power dynamic lies in how Western media’s narratives are given more weight, impacting the developing world’s perception of events.”

**Sources:**
– [Hill Article by Akhil Ramesh](source-link)
– [Foreign Policy Analysis, Pacific Forum](source-link)
– [The Hindu: Modi-State Visit Analysis](source-link)
– [Global Media Influence: Perspectives by Brahma Chellaney](source-link)

In this conversation, US foreign policy analyst and Senior Fellow, Pacific Forum Akhil Ramesh speaks to Hindol Sengupta on-

– Why American civil society should better understand India

– Why America can’t afford to lose anymore friends

– How India and the US can build the new digital global commons

– And on cooperation in space technology and semiconductors between the two countries.