New Delhi and Washington are unlikely to conclude a free trade agreement, says former US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster. In a wide-ranging interview with Mint, Ambassador Juster, who served as envoy in New Delhi from 2017 to 2021, argues that the US-India economic relationship is underperforming and urges greater cooperation in the digital economy. Juster touches on the broad sweep of US-India ties and argues that the results of the upcoming US midterms are unlikely to impact bilateral relations. Juster also terms the delay in the appointment of a US Ambassador to India “regrettable".
Polls indicate that Americans may elect a Republican majority in Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. With a Democratic President in the White House, will this development impact bilateral ties or will it be business as usual?
US policy toward India has been one of the few issues on which there is broad agreement between Democrats and Republicans – on both the direction of the bilateral relationship and its importance to the United States. Regardless of the results of the midterm elections, I do not expect to see a material change in US policy toward New Delhi or in US-India relations.
Another midterm cycle seems to have confirmed suspicions that domestic divisions are rife in America. Some in New Delhi wonder whether these divisions may hamper America’s drive and focus internationally. Your view on these concerns?
Domestic divisions can weaken any country’s posture internationally. If a country cannot speak with a unified voice, its positions may carry less weight overseas. Moreover, if the United States is trying to project democracy as an effective system of government and as a model for other countries, our polarization at home and inability to enact critical legislative measures make our democracy a less persuasive model overseas. This challenge already exists to a certain degree and could be exacerbated if the election results in further political polarization.
The hope, however, is that America can increasingly elect representatives who are willing to work across the aisle with political opponents to find workable compromises – whether it be on criminal justice, immigration reform, or economic policy. The more we do that, the more other countries will perceive American democracy to be strong and moving in a positive direction. This, in turn, will enhance our ability to persuade other countries on issues of concern. That said, the US relationship with India is one area where there is no significant domestic division.
Since your departure, America has not appointed an Ambassador to India. What do you make of this delay given that the appointment has been held up in Congress? Is this a sign of domestic division? Will this impact bilateral ties adversely?
It is regrettable that we have not had an Ambassador to India in place for almost two years. However, I do not think that domestic divisions have caused this delay. The Democratic party currently controls the US Senate, which is the body that confirms presidential nominations. They could move forward with the confirmation of a US Ambassador to India. They have chosen not to do so at this time because of certain concerns, upon which I have no opinion, that have been raised regarding the nominee, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. There are news reports that the Majority Leader of the Senate may bring this nomination to a vote right after the midterm elections, during the lame duck session of the current Congress. I should add that I have had conversations with Mr Garcetti, and I have found him to be intelligent, knowledgeable, and energetic. Based on those conversations, I think he would be an effective envoy of the United States to India if he is confirmed.
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