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This policy brief focuses on the counterterrorism partnership between India and the United States, exploring its historical development, recent strains, and current challenges, such as cross-border terrorism and cybercrime. The report’s authors advocate for India to strengthen its own security capabilities alongside rebuilding the US-India relationship and call for a practical strategy to enhance collaboration in counterterrorism, highlighting the importance of ongoing dialogue and cooperation.
Key Takeaways
- The US-India counterterrorism relationship has evolved from a focus on addressing American concerns post 9/11 to a more complex dynamic: India seeks to mitigate Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, while the Unites States navigates broader strategic interests, often leading to frustrations for India due to differing threat perceptions.
- The disconnect between India’s maximalist security expectations and the United States’ selective approach to counterterrorism, shaped by broader geopolitical considerations, underscores the need for tempered expectations in the US-India partnership.
- India must balance its reliance on US support with the development of its own internal capabilities to ensure a self-reliant and autonomous national security framework.
- The enduring intelligence relationship between India and the United States has historically shown resilience despite political tensions, emphasizing the need for continuous cooperation and shared commitment to counterterrorism efforts in the face of new threats.
Strengthening US-India Counterterrorism Cooperation by Hoover Institution
Cite this report:
Šumit Ganguly, ed., Strengthening India-US Counterterrorism Cooperation, Huntington Program on Strengthening US-India Relations, Hoover Institution, June 2026.
