(After fading of an ‘estrangement’ in the bilateral engagements, India and the United States are
developing global partnership. The two countries have never been toeing so close as they do this
time. But, this time around, the US influence in the global politics is shrinking. There are other
centers of power emerging in the shape of China, picking in Russian influence etc. India cannot
afford not to circumvent these new emerging developments in the global politics. This paper
examines as to what would be a prudent policy for the New Delhi under the given circumstances.
Will India ignore these new developments? Can India afford to toe the US line in the emerging
global scenario? What are the other options available for India? This paper attempts to examine
all these questions. The paper is based on historical as well as analytical approaches.]