The United States should prioritize forging a much stronger bond with India, according to James C. Lawler, a distinguished former CIA officer. Lawler, who led the agency’s Counter-Proliferation Division, believes the strategic interests of both nations are highly compatible, despite past diplomatic complexities. He has often pondered why India and the US, while never adversaries, haven’t historically been ‘true friends’ given their shared democratic principles and economic ambitions.
“American foreign policy is a big puzzle sometimes,” Lawler remarked in an interview, expressing hope for enhanced bilateral ties. He pointed to the significant contributions of people of Indian origin in America and the strong economic links as foundations for a deeper partnership. He believes that two democracies with growing capitalist economies should be working more closely rather than maintaining distance.
Lawler’s perspective emerges as India-US relations have navigated various phases. Tensions arose previously over trade tariffs and India’s energy choices, with the US expressing concerns about its imports from Russia. The former officer also touched upon past claims of US intervention in averting conflict between India and Pakistan, a narrative India has consistently disputed, emphasizing its preference for bilateral conflict resolution.
Reflecting on historical challenges, Lawler, who served 25 years with the CIA, noted that India’s past alignment with the Soviet Union and its acquisition of Soviet military technology were factors influencing early US-India relations. He suggested that the US should consider providing more advanced technology to India. He also observed recent reports of major Indian companies reducing Russian oil purchases as a potential avenue for intensified cooperation.
Confronting shared strategic challenges, such as the rise of China, Lawler urged a forward-looking approach. He advocated for setting aside outdated Cold War paradigms to identify and leverage common interests, asserting that a united front would significantly amplify the strength of both countries.