The US and India: 2+2 To Tango?

In the most important geopolitical region in the world, the Asia Pacific, the Trump administration has its bets placed squarely on India. Its strategy, which includes a rebrand befitting a salesman turned president, depends on closer relations between the US and India and India playing a larger role throughout Asia.

So as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrive in New Delhi tomorrow for the 2+2 dialogue (so-called because it involves foreign ministers and defense secretaries from each side), one of the highest-level dialogues between the two countries since Trump took office, it bears asking – How are things going?

On many fronts, relations between the US and India are on an upward trajectory. Perhaps the strongest area of cooperation is on arms sales—where India went from importing zero US-made equipment in 2008 to around $15 billion in the decade since. Secretaries Pompeo and Mattis are looking to use their trip this week to sign a long-stalled defense pact that would enable billions more in weapons deals and expand military ties, including the sharing of encrypted communications and communications systems. The recent US decision to cut off military aid to Pakistan should certainly help boost trust.

But there remain points of friction, particularly on economic issues, that could ultimately limit the deeper cooperation envisioned by US strategy. India has a large trade surplus with the US, a particular bone of contention for President Trump, and was hit by US steel and aluminum tariffs earlier in the year—which though not yet economically damaging have proven to be an irritant. In addition, the US is currently considering two different sanctions packages against India—one for its planned purchase of a Russian-made air defense system, the other because of its continued reliance on Iranian oil imports. Trump’s tendency to mimic his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is certainly not helping his administration’s efforts to cozy up to a man who oversees one-sixth of the world’s population.

Even if they can get along, there’s a broader question: Could India ever provide the US the reliable foothold it wants in Asia? Here, the US faces two problems. First, India remains a reluctant power that will struggle to challenge China strategically in the region. Second, deeper ties with India will do little to combat China’s growing economic clout—of which India is, and will continue to be, a willing beneficiary. For the US, it will take more than 2+2 to tango in Asia.

More from GZERO Media

Jess Frampton

Zohran Mamdani was a long shot. But the 33-year-old democratic socialist state assemblyman flew past former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s name recognition and money advantage to win the Democratic primary for New York mayor last week.

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One after departing early from the the G7 summit in Canada to return to Washington, D.C., on June 17, 2025.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs prompted warnings of high inflation, but it never materialized.

More than 60% of Walmart suppliers are small businesses.* Through a $350 billion investment in products made, grown, or assembled in the US, Walmart is helping these businesses expand, create jobs, and thrive. This effort is expected to support the creation of over 750,000 new American jobs by 2030, empowering companies like Athletic Brewing, Bon Appésweet, and Milo’s Tea to grow their teams, scale their production, and strengthen the communities they call home. Learn more about Walmart's commitment to US manufacturing. *See website for additional details.

Last month, Microsoft released its 2025 Responsible AI Transparency Report, demonstrating the company’s sustained commitment to earning trust at a pace that matches AI innovation. The report outlines new developments in how we build and deploy AI systems responsibly, how we support our customers, and how we learn, evolve, and grow. It highlights our strengthened incident response processes, enhanced risk assessments and mitigations, and proactive regulatory alignment. It also covers new tools and practices we offer our customers to support their AI risk governance efforts, as well as how we work with stakeholders around the world to work towards governance approaches that build trust. You can read the report here.