Global geo-political strategic environment drastically changed after disintegration of Soviet Union in early 1990s, and bi-polar world led by USSR and USA became unipolar world led by US. During cold war period India was seen to be closed to USSR, but after disintegration of Soviet Unoin golbal scenario changed and option opened for India-US strategic alliance, but relation between India and US remained cold due to strategic alliance between US and Pakistan on Afghanistan issue. After 9/11 attack on World Trade Center in US, perception of US changed on terrorism and role of Pakistan in nuturing terrorism, and US started acknowledgeing importace of India for its fight against terrorism. Considering strategic importance of India and its economic rise, US moved forward for building US- India strategic alliance, but it could not move forward at that rate as it was desired.

Building of India-US strategic alliance must be seen through prism of historical baggage of foreign relation. Foreign trade led colonization process of India since later half of 18th century and Non Aligned Movement (NAM) started by Nehru after end of colonial rule are still  guiding factors in economic and foreign policy of India. It still act as barrier to any close strategic and economic tie with  country like US that is economically and militarily a very strong country , and this the reason why economic and strategic relation with Japan has increased considerably in recent past as Japan is not very strong country militarily like US to dictate terms of alliance.  It will take a longer period for India  to get rid of these historical baggage. Therefore, there is a need for slow and steady growth of  relations especially strategic one between India and US.