Amidst a complex geopolitical landscape, the United States has reaffirmed the significance of its relationship with India, characterizing it as a "defining relationship of the 21st century". This pronouncement comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China. The US স্টেট ডিপার্টমেন্ট spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, reiterated India's status as a strategic partner, emphasizing that dialogue between the two nations would persist despite existing trade tensions.

The characterization of the US-India relationship as "defining" is not new. It reflects a growing recognition in Washington of India's importance on the global stage and its potential to be a key partner in promoting shared interests. These interests include promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity through trade, investment, and connectivity. The strong people-to-people ties, reflected in a four million-strong Indian American diaspora, are a tremendous source of strength for the partnership.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the enduring friendship between the two countries as the bedrock of their cooperation, propelling them forward as they realize the tremendous potential of their economic relationship. He also expressed eagerness to deepen cooperation in the coming year, including advancing joint efforts in space research and coordination within the Quad to promote a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

However, the relationship isn't without its complexities. Washington has expressed concerns regarding the trade imbalance and India's purchase of Russian oil, even imposing tariffs on Indian goods. Despite these disagreements, the US স্টেট ডিপার্টমেন্ট maintains that these issues are being addressed through open and honest dialogue, underscoring the commitment to a strong bilateral relationship.

PM Modi's presence at the SCO summit adds another layer to the dynamic. The SCO is a regional political, economic, and security group founded by China, and this year's summit included key regional leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi met with President Xi Jinping, and both leaders pledged to resolve their border differences and bolster cooperation. He also met with Vladimir Putin, who referred to Modi as a "dear friend" and highlighted the deep strategic ties between India and Russia.

At the SCO session, PM Modi addressed critical issues such as terrorism and connectivity. He stressed that connectivity must respect sovereignty, citing India-led projects like Chabahar Port and the North-South Transport Corridor to boost regional trade and trust. He also called terrorism a threat to global security and humanity, urging unity in combating it and raising the recent Pahalgam terror attacks while urging member states to avoid double standards on terrorism.

The US-India relationship has seen significant improvement since 2014, with deepened strategic cooperation, and India was declared a "Major Defense Partner" of the United States. Both countries have also stepped up their cooperation among multilateral groups such as The Quad and I2U2 Group. Despite existing complexities and disputes, the US continues to view India as a strategic partner and a key player in the 21st century global order.