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Synopsis This study examines the emerging India-US relationship and argues that India needs to create a more coherent policy for dealing with the United States. Such a policy needs to move away from Cold War Formulations of what the US-India relationship should be, to one that recognizes the realities of unipolarity, the impact of 9/11 on international security, and India’s long-term aspirations in the international arena. While India does not have a strategic partnership with the United States, it shares a set of complementary interests. As democracies, both believe in spreading democratic values and creating a secular international system. Further, both face the challenge posed by radical terrorist groups that seek to destroy the very values both countries cherish. Finally, both countries seek to maintain stability in Asia. How India attempts to operationalize these complementary interests will depend not only on its willingness to pursue a more proactive foreign policy but also an American willingness to free India of the constraints that hinder its progress towards becoming a great power.