1. The Indo-US political relations during the Cold War: India became an independent country on 15 August, 1947. The Cold War has already started between the US and the Soviet Union. The newly independent India, led by our first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru, refused to be drawn into the Cold War politics of competitive military alliances promoted by both the super powers. Nehru chose the policy of "non-alignment", which aimed to give India the much-needed independence of action in the sphere of foreign policy and relations. America regarded India's refusal to collaborate as a sign of unfriendliness.
2. Formation of Military Alliances and Indo US relations: The cause of better Indo-US relations received a blow in 1954. The US through Cold war rivalry to India's doorsteps by forming two military class SEATO and CENTO with Pakistan joined these alliances as a key member. The US military aid Pakistan, given to check the spread of communism, was used against India contrary to initial assurances.
3. China attack on India and US support to India: The October 1962 War between India and China introduced a new element in the Indo-US relations. Within India there were for the first time many voices strongly advocating an alliance with the US against China. Many also wanted a drastic modification of the non-alignment policy. There was perhaps an expectation in the US too that India could now be prepared to head an antiChinese and anti-Communist alliance. When the Chinese invasion scaled up, the Government of India made an urgent appeal to Washington (US) for military supplies. In a speedy response, the US President John F. Kennedy provided India with small arms and equipment. The first batch of arms arrived even before the signing of a deal between the two countries. Further, the US agreed to payment for these arms in rupees.
4. Indo-Pak War 1965 and USA role against India: However, the pro-American goodwill in India evaporated with the US reluctance to openly blame Pakistan for starting the 1965 war against India. In addition to US support to Pakistan, the US war on Vietnam contributed to certain coldness in Indo-US relations in the 1960s. In the beginning of 1970s, the US rapprochement with China (with Pakistan help) was another turning point.
5. Formation of Bangladesh and proPakistan stand of USA:
(a) The Bangladesh episode created a new crisis in the Indo-US relationship too. The US administration (government) took the position that the East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) revolt was a movement to break up Pakistan and that Pakistan's brutal attempts to suppress it were justified. During the Bangladesh war (1971) the US moved an anti India resolution in the Security Council and USA froze its economic assistance to India.
(b) The only assistance that continued was food distributed free by voluntary agencies. Not only that; Washington also made military moves. A part of the US Seventh Fleet was ordered into the Bay of Bengal. The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise sailed towards the Bay of Bengal in a show of solidarity with the Pakistan army, which could be saved from defeat in Bangladesh. It took some time (a couple of years) for the US to recognize India as the major country in the South Asian region. It was in this spirit of reconciliation, India hosted President Carter's visit in 1977.
6.The Soviet Union affairs in Afghanistan and Indo-US relations: However, once again another blow struck. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and threw India and the United States on opposite sides. Pakistan became the closest ally to facilitate military help to Afghan Mujahideen. No doubt India's initial sympathies with the Soviet action against Afghanistan harmed relations with America.
