Why Does America Fail to Recognize India as a Rising Power?
Diplomatic pleasantries and symbolic gestures, such as the warm embraces between U.S. Presidents and India's Prime Ministers, are not enough. These gestures do not reflect an acknowledgment of India as a significant emerging power that demands careful and respectful engagement. Instead, the U.S. has often treated India with disregard, as seen in the handling of the Pannu case—a short-sighted strategy that aims to corner India. Such tactics are futile, especially considering the U.S.'s own history of covert operations abroad. It is naive to assume India can be pressured by these methods.
When this approach failed, the U.S. slowed down the supply of GE’s F404 engines for India's fighter jets. But worse was yet to come. In an apparent attempt to undermine a potential friendly meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Modi, the White House invited the CIA and FBI chiefs to brief Biden on the Pannu affair in full public view. This was clearly designed to pressure Modi through media attention. However, Modi is far too resilient to be swayed so easily. This incident underscores the lengths to which the American administration will go to downplay India’s strategic importance, especially in the context of the U.S.-Russia conflict over Ukraine.
Modi, a shrewd strategist, was well-prepared. He understands that Biden's tenure may soon end and is uncertain of his successor. Modi made it clear early on that he is aware of the U.S.'s position in the Ukraine war, which is ultimately unwinnable. He presented a neutral peace proposal, already discussed with both Russia and Ukraine's President Zelensky. This left Biden with little choice but to set aside the anti-India sentiment brewing in the U.S. political system and take Modi’s offer seriously. Modi also knows that if Trump returns to power, a peace deal similar to his proposal is likely; if Harris wins, she cannot ignore it either.
Modi’s diplomatic prowess paid off. The underlying tensions were already well known, but he was still greeted with a rousing reception in New York, organized by the Indian community. Meanwhile, politicians who have backed Khalistani groups or supported the Pannu case—such as Senators Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden, Tim Kaine, Bernie Sanders, and Chris Van Hollen—are likely dismayed. The sight of 30,000 cheering Indian-Americans in New York, along with the broader influence of the 4.5 million Indian-origin voters across the U.S., has undoubtedly rattled them. These voters witnessed the U.S. attempt to tarnish India's reputation while America's own foreign policy record is far from clean.
In truth, no real harm was done. Pannu remains unharmed, and the attempt to smear India ultimately failed.
The larger question remains: Why does the American administration listen to fringe elements and ignore a rising global power? India will not forget this treatment. It is no accident that just days before Modi's visit, President Biden invited the CIA and FBI chiefs to the White House. This was a deliberate act, signaling the U.S.'s reluctance to fully embrace India as a strategic partner.
, interesting 
isn't it?
