India-US Ties Face a Critical Test

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India will test the bilateral relationship amid strains over tariffs, trade, and strategic differences. The visit, which skips New Delhi for Mumbai and Jamnagar, highlights growing corporate influence in ties. Washington seeks a formal alliance with mutual security obligations, while India prefers strategic partnership and multi-alignment. Economic tensions include stalled trade negotiations, secondary sanctions threats over Russian oil imports, H-1B visa restrictions, and US concerns about regulatory impediments and market access. The relationship faces turbulence from US structural adjustments toward China and Washington's embrace of Pakistan. Experts urge concluding a trade deal, deepening cooperation in technology and energy security, and pursuing plurilateral initiatives like the Quad to stabilize the partnership.