Lobbying in the US-Foreign Policy Process: A Study of US-India Relations

Abstract

The American attitude towards India has been shaped by a variety of complex factors and American policy towards India has shifted from one of neglect to attention. In the post-Cold War era, the Indo-US relations freed itself from historical baggage to a considerable extent. There has been a significant shift in the attitude of American policy makers, which has in turn paved the way for better Indo-US relations. Today, India and the US share a very strong and deep strategic partnership encompassing all the aspects of the bilateral relationship. This reflects Washington’s changed notion of India in the present world order and indicates that the two countries are no more grounded in obsolete conflicts of interest. This change has been a slow process and several factors and actors are responsible. While the end of Cold War leading to changed international scenario, increasing strategic and economic importance of India are important factors, one of the significant contributors to this process is lobbying by India, through India Caucus, Indian Americans and lobbying firms hired by Indian Government. The formation of India Caucus is a clear indication of fundamental change in the Congressional attitude towards India. It is commonly believed that successful lobbying by India Caucus in the Congress in favour of India has contributed to a much better image of India in the United States. Lobbying plays a significant role in policy formulation in the US, both at domestic and foreign policy level. While Jewish Americans is one of the most successful examples of ethnic lobbying influencing the US policy for a particular country i.e. Israel, in recent years Indian American lobbying has emerged as the one of the most powerful ethnic lobbying group impacting the US policy towards India. This book emerges from the significance of interest groups’ lobbying activities in the US political process. Accordingly this work is an attempt to assess the role of lobbying in the US foreign policy process. The central thrust of this thesis is to assess the overall impact of lobbying done by the Indian Americans and their organizations, India Caucus, lobbying firms and lobbyist hired by India for betterment of the India-US relations. An attempt has been made to analyze the interest group activities i.e. lobbying in the US foreign policy process. The work tries to delineate various theories that led to the group formation, factors legitimizing the lobbying in the American political structure. The study focuses on the professional success of Indian Americans, their political and lobbying activities and their role in improving the relations between the US and India. An attempt has been made to trace the evolution of India Caucus and its role in the US-India relations has been assessed. Finally, the impact of lobbying on the US-India relationship has been evaluated which ranges from countering anti-Indian lobbying groups to ensuring the safe passage of nuclear deal bill at Capitol Hill.