This project examines the historical evolution of the U.S.-India relationship by analyzing how it has been described in U.S. presidential speeches from the Truman to Obama administrations.
While existing scholarship shows that the relationship has been shaped by both cooperation and recurring tension, this study focuses on how those dynamics appear in political language over time. By building a focused archive of presidential speeches about India, this project identifies key patterns in word choice and themes, especially the shift from terms like friendship and peace in the early Cold War period to partnership and cooperation in the post-Cold War era.
The findings show a clear change in how India is viewed. Early on, India is described as a new democracy that the United States supports through aid and goodwill. During the Cold War, the relationship became more complicated and tense because of regional conflicts and alliances.
Over time, especially after the Cold War, India is increasingly described as a strategic partner and an important global actor. This historical study also provides context for the rapid changes in the U.S.-India bilateral relationship under more recent leadership, including the Trump and Modi governments.
This research builds on existing scholarship by showing that evolution in the U.S.-India relationship is not only seen in policy decisions, but also in the way leaders talk about each other. Overall, the relationship has proven to be durable through both high and low periods, creating a dynamic in which both nations are respected and valued on the global stage and increasingly express the need to work together as major global powers. While the relationship has grown stronger, it continues to face challenges shaped by global politics and national interests.