In December 2017, the Trump administration released its National Security Strategy (NSS), which spoke of India as a “leading global power and a leading strategic and defense partner strong". While India's ties with the United States are currently close, they were not always this way. Indeed, despite being one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), India's politics have historically been founded on principles of pragmatism and realpolitik, a trait that has often been underestimated. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay It is worth noting that until the end of the Cold War and until the 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union, India was primarily allied with the Soviet Union and its successor state, the Russian Federation. Was a major importer of Soviet weapons, sought help from the USSR to counter the joint might of the United States and Pakistan in 1971, sought assistance from the Russian Federation in the 1998 nuclear tests, cooperated with the Soviet on many global issues and held many important cultural exchanges with them. Major changes began to take shape in India's approach to the global order as the era of economic globalization, liberalization and privatization began to impact the Indian economy. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was only a matter of time before the reduced economic status of the Russian Federation prevented it from being India's benefactor. What remained, however, was an emotional attachment, likely due to a romanticization of past relationships. The world order, which still has mercantilist motivations under a number of policies, would have none and it was only a matter of time before that happened. relationship yielded to the test of economic interests. Although India was officially recognized as America's strategic partner in 2017, and right-wing parties hold leadership positions in both countries, this recognition has been slow in coming. The basis for this recognition can be traced back to Bill Clinton's trip to India in 2000, during the Vajpayee regime. It was a sort of unequal alliance between a right-wing government and a moderate democratic government. However, it was financial interests that paved the way for future relations after the diplomatic turmoil surrounding India's nuclear tests in 1998, which led to American sanctions against India. Clinton's visit to India, and the resulting improvements in relations between the two countries, were followed by another milestone in 2005: the 123 Agreement. As part of the 123 Agreement, India agreed to place its nuclear facilities civilians "under the protection of the IAEA" while the United States has agreed to full cooperation with India in the civil nuclear sector. Although the agreement has not been implemented until now, it was a significant change and a demonstration of camaraderie from both governments. Other events, which occurred in parallel, also contributed to the construction of this change in relationships. Formal diplomatic relations with Israel, a strong American ally, began in 1992, after American-backed structural adjustment was accepted by the Indian legislature. Over the years, India has become the largest buyer of Israeli weapons and has forged a strong partnership with Israel, despite its neutral stance towards oil-rich states hostile to Israel. India's ties with Japan, another important American ally, took a new turn in 2000 with the visit..