India’s unwillingness of becoming overly reliant on or involved with the US for its security needs vis-à-vis the threat from the PRC also stems from a persistent (if flawed) belief that the US, which had often sided with Pakistan during the Cold War, may again prove to be a fickle strategic partner.
These misgivings have played a critical role in preventing India from forging a more robust strategic partnership with the United States. Indeed, at least one noted commentator on US-India security ties Ashley Tellis, has questioned the willingness of India to cast its lot with the United States.
Given India’s extant reticence about a closer set of security ties with the United States, unless there is incontrovertible evidence that challenges the Canadian assertion that India orchestrated the killing of Nijjar, the Indo-US strategic partnership may be entering choppy waters.
Accordingly, it is entirely reasonable to surmise that some of them are likely to exert pressure on the…