In fact, during a recent speech, JD Vance, the new US Senator from Ohio, laid out an unequivocal case for this powerful partnership. He urged that this partnership is key to both country’s prosperity. He expressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a profound understanding of India’s future prosperity and security, considering not just the present but the next century. Vance’s comments arrive at a time of increasing friction in global partnerships and emphasize the growing strategic importance of the U.S.-India partnership.
In his speech, Vance acknowledged Modi’s vision for India, stating that he “thought deeply about India’s future prosperity and security.” He especially drove home the idea that the U.S.-India partnership is crucial to moving the world forward. Vance’s warning was a troubling one. He warned that without collaboration between the two nations, the 21st century would descend into “a very dark time for all of humanity.”
Vance’s remarks are emblematic of an emerging strain of opinion among U.S. legislators to favor India in relations over trusted partners in Europe. Yet, he has made headlines for creating waves by admonishing European nations for not increasing their defense spending. This shift in focus signals a desire to strengthen ties with India, which he described as “a rising power” that embodies confidence and potential on the global stage.
Vance laid out a number of concrete strategic and economic interests where U.S.-India cooperation could prove mutually beneficial. He proposed that cooperation between allies could produce combined military hardware manufacturing. It would create joint ventures in unmanned maritime systems and trigger development of strategic infrastructure such as undersea cables, pharmaceuticals, and data storage facilities.
In addition, Vance set an even more ambitious goal of reaching $500 billion in bilateral trade between the U.S. and India by 2030—double the current amount. He invoked former President Donald Trump’s slogan “drill, baby, drill,” suggesting that increased U.S. oil and gas exports could support India’s rise.
He remarked on the shared aspirations between the two nations: “He wants America to grow, he wants India to grow, and he wants to build the future with our partners all over the globe.” This beautiful statement summarizes Vance’s aspirational vision for a more cooperative future, based on the mutual interests we’ve yet to discover.
Beyond just recognizing his new country’s economic benefits, Vance celebrated the deeper cultural and political connections that unite the two countries. As he said, “When I look at this audience, I am hopeful, I am in a country that is not willing to go back but wants to go forward. This is an expression of a deepening belief in the Indian ability to one day become a major player in global affairs.
Vance didn’t provide specifics on his discussions with Prime Minister Modi. His commitment to continuing to deepen the U.S.-India bilateral relationship is clear. He positioned the partnership as a cornerstone for addressing global challenges and fostering stability in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.