Book Review
Title: India & USA’s Strategic Dilemma
Author: Dr. Shekhar Borhade
In an era where geopolitics is defined by shifting alliances and great-power competition, the relationship between India and the United States has emerged as both a strategic necessity and a diplomatic balancing act. In “India & USA’s Strategic Dilemma,” Dr. Shekhar Borhade delivers a sharp, timely, and well-researched analysis of this evolving partnership, tracing its historical roots and assessing its future trajectory with clarity and balance.
The Quest for Strategic Autonomy
India’s foreign policy has long rested on the pillars of non-alignment and sovereign decision-making. Yet in the 21st century, with US–China competition reshaping global politics, New Delhi faces the delicate challenge of deepening cooperation with Washington while refusing to be drawn into rigid alliance frameworks. The book details India’s active participation in platforms like the QUAD alongside a continued dependence on Russia for defence needs—over 45 per cent of India’s arms imports still come from Moscow, despite substantial defence trade growth with the US.
The Indo-Pacific: Opportunity and Risk
Dr. Borhade offers a nuanced reading of the Indo-Pacific as both a theatre of collaboration and a potential trap. While the US sees India as a counterweight to China’s assertiveness, India must ensure it does not compromise its independent policy choices. The numbers underscore this paradox—India’s trade with China touched $136 billion in 2023 despite ongoing border tensions.
Technology and the New Cold War
The narrative moves beyond security issues to the emerging technological frontiers of bilateral cooperation. From semiconductor supply chains to artificial intelligence, the US–India partnership is deepening in digital diplomacy. But the author cautions against one-sided alignment, pointing to legitimate Indian concerns over data sovereignty and the risks of ‘digital colonisation.’
History as a Guide
A significant strength of the book lies in its historical grounding. From Nehru’s non-alignment policy to the landmark 2008 Civil Nuclear Agreement, from Malabar naval exercises to India’s nuanced stance on Ukraine, the evolution of relations is presented as a continuum—shaped as much by pragmatism as by principle.
Why This Book Matters
“India & USA’s Strategic Dilemma” is more than a foreign policy chronicle. It bridges theoretical concepts with operational realities, offering clear-eyed prescriptions on multilateral diplomacy, energy security, and regulatory frameworks for the digital age. Dr. Borhade resists ideological posturing, instead presenting an India-first perspective that is as relevant to policymakers as it is to students, journalists, and strategic thinkers.
Verdict
This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the complexity of India’s engagement with the world’s most powerful nation. By framing bilateralism as a spectrum rather than a binary choice, Dr. Borhade reminds us that in a multipolar world, strategic relationships are best understood as layered, adaptive, and deeply rooted in national interest.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
