Synopsis The Presidency of George W. Bush has been described as the best years of India-US relations. There is, however, no consensus on the future course of this relationship under his successor, Barack Obama. The incumbent’s record as a Senator, his pronouncements during the election campaign, his promise of a radical shift from his predecessor’s policies, and his approach on major security and foreign policy issues since becoming the President, have raised doubts about the future of IndiaUS relations. It has lent credence to the perception held by many analysts that Democratic presidents have traditionally not been good for India, swelling the ranks of sceptics who see a downtrend in the relationship.

How would the shifts in US priorities under President Obama impact on India-US relations? This collection of essays attempts to assess the complexities and prospective direction of India-US relations under the Obama administration. Each chapter in this volume, examines his pronouncements on major security and foreign policy issues from his election campaign days, and traces the current course of his policies in those areas and their possible implications for India. Being an early assessment of how the relationship is likely to evolve, this book should be of interest to policy makers, the business community and discerning scholars.