International Relations GS 2 In the news 7 times

India-US Relations

Managing Strategic Irritants Alongside Strategic Convergence

India-US relations have undergone a fundamental transformation since the 2005 Civil Nuclear Agreement, evolving into a "Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership" (2020). However, the Pannun case represents a significant irritant that tests the resilience of this partnership.

Key details

Key defence agreements: LEMOA (2016, logistics access), COMCASA (2018, communications interoperability), BECA (2020, geospatial intelligence sharing), and the Industrial Security Annex (2023).
The 2+2 Dialogue (Foreign Minister + Defence Minister level): Established 2018, India has this format with only four countries — US, Australia, Japan, and Russia.
iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, 2023): Covers AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, space, and telecommunications.
Previous irritants managed: S-400 missile purchase from Russia (CAATSA waiver debate), India's Russian oil purchases, and trade disputes — all managed without derailing the strategic partnership.
The India-US interim trade deal (February 2026) demonstrates the two countries' ability to separate strategic and trade tracks, but the Pannun case adds a justice/sovereignty dimension that is harder to compartmentalise.

In the news

● Tracked since February 14, 2026 · last seen May 23, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

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