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US-India ties enter ‘era of convergence,’ says Richard Verma at Hudson Institute
Verma’s speech at the Hudson Institute was part of the Motwani Jadeja US-India Dialogue Series.
Richard Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources / X/@RichardVerma
Richard Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, declared that US-India relations have entered an "era of convergence," during his speech at the Hudson Institute on Sep.16.
Verma, who previously served as the US Ambassador to India, emphasized the strengthening partnership between the two nations and the milestones they have achieved in recent years. His speech at the Hudson Institute was part of the Motwani Jadeja US-India Dialogue Series, a forum designed to foster discussions on the growing US-India partnership.
“I think it is safe to say we have entered an era of convergence in US-India ties, especially in the past three and a half years.” He noted significant progress in trade, defense, and climate cooperation, adding that while differences remain, this era is built on solid foundations, with both countries aligned on shared global threats and opportunities.
"This is exactly the right time to assess where we are in the US-India relationship," Verma said, adding that the two nations have made remarkable progress over the past 25 years– a shift that was unimaginable just a few decades ago.
He highlighted the evolution from Cold War divisions to a partnership driven by shared policies in energy, security, and trade. "As Prime Minister Modi has rightfully pointed out, we have now overcome those hesitations of history."
Verma recounted key moments that defined the relationship, including the US-India Civil Nuclear Deal, which he called a "landmark initiative" that helped India access safe and reliable nuclear energy while complying with international standards. The deal, he noted, opened doors for further cooperation, particularly in defense, where India is now the United States' sole "major defense partner."
"Our two militaries understand each other," Verma stated, referencing joint training exercises and collaborative development of sophisticated defense systems. He added that the collaboration extends beyond military operations, with shared efforts in promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
In addition to defense, Verma spotlighted other areas of cooperation, including combating climate change. "When two of the three largest emitters work together constructively, it sends a powerful signal," he said, referring to the joint efforts in global climate commitments like the Paris Agreement.
Verma also stressed the importance of economic ties, noting that US-India trade has increased tenfold since 2000. Recent projects, such as Micron's $825 million semiconductor plant in Gujarat and commitments to build 10,000 electric buses in India, reflect growing private-sector collaboration.
Throughout his speech, Verma stressed on the "people-to-people" connections that he asserted have cemented the relationship. "The people-to-people ties are the glue that bind our countries together," he said, citing the 4.5 million Indian-Americans contributing to American life. He also noted that student exchanges and tourism between the two countries have reached all-time highs.
Looking ahead, Verma outlined several vectors for future collaboration, with science and technology at the forefront. He emphasized the importance of working together on clean energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, while also ensuring the protection of critical infrastructure and cybersecurity.
Verma concluded his remarks by addressing the challenges that could threaten the partnership, such as increasing collaboration between Russia and China and the growing trend of anti-immigrant rhetoric in the US. He condemned recent racist attacks directed at Indian-Americans, stating, "This kind of language has no place in American society, and we have to reject them outright."
Despite these challenges, Verma remained optimistic about the future of US-India ties. "So long as we are not complacent and do not take the recent gains of the past quarter century for granted, then I do believe our years ahead can be even better, even stronger, and even more impactful."
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