The recent turbulence in India-US relations has triggered a debate on whether close relations with US are a boon or a bane for India’s national interest. A review of all the facets of bilateral engagement since India’s independence reveal a complex journey on two separate tracks — one official and the other based on knowledge and technology transfer. On the official track, several key actions of the US since 1950s ran counter to India’s core strategic and security concerns. These include military alliances with and arms transfers to a hostile Pakistan, economic sanctions and pressure on geopolitical issues during and…