Congress and the Making of India-U.S. Relations
All Things Policy
Diplomacy, lobbying and the 2008 nuclear deal
Abhishek recounts how diplomatic outreach and caucuses helped navigate sanctions toward the 2008 deal.
In this episode of the All Things Policy podcast, Vanshika Saraf and Abhishek Kadiyala examine the often-overlooked role of the U.S. Congress in shaping India–U.S. relations from independence to the present day. While the President is typically seen as the face of American foreign policy, the conversation highlights how Congress—empowered by Article I of the U.S. Constitution through its control over funding, trade, war powers, appointments, and oversight—has played a decisive role in influencing the trajectory of bilateral ties. Tracing shifts from the era of the “imperial presidency” and Cold War alignments to the rise of congressional caucuses, diaspora lobbying, and today’s hyper-partisan politics, the episode explores how internal dynamics within Congress have shaped perceptions of India. It also assesses how India has adapted its engagement strategy over time and evaluates Congress’s response to recent strains in the relationship, before looking ahead to what institutional flux in Washington and upcoming electoral cycles could mean for the future of India–U.S. ties.
Read more on how the US Congressional perspectives on India have evolved since 1947 in Abhishek Kadiyala's latest discussion document "Evolution of US Congressional perspectives towards India: 1947-2024". To track the latest legislation in the US Congress impacting India, subscribe to our weekly newsletter, DC Dossier by Abhishek Kadiyala.
All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/research-areas
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