FOOD, FOREIGN POLICY, AND FUTURES: INDO-US COLLABORATION IN CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE FOR THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Climate change poses a growing threat to global food systems, particularly in the Global South, where agriculture remains a primary source of livelihood. In this context, climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has emerged as an adaptive framework designed to enhance agricultural productivity, build resilience to climate stressors, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The collaboration between India and the United States in promoting CSA offers a significant example of how international partnerships can align science, diplomacy, and development for food security. This article explores Indo-US cooperation as a multidimensional strategy that extends beyond bilateral engagement to influence agrarian transformation across Africa, Asia, and other vulnerable regions. Through initiatives such as the Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C), Feed the Future Triangular Training Programs, and institutional linkages between Indian and American agricultural research centers, the two countries have created platforms for technological transfer, capacity building, and knowledge dissemination. These collaborations represent not only a response to climate and food insecurity but also reflect broader foreign policy objectives rooted in soft power and mutual strategic interests. The study highlights how public-private partnerships, triangular cooperation, and science diplomacy are becoming central to food and climate agendas. Case studies from Africa and South Asia illustrate the localized impact of these programs, including improved soil management, water efficiency, and digital agriculture applications. The analysis underscores the need for locally adapted, participatory models of CSA that prioritize smallholder farmers, gender inclusivity, and long-term sustainability. By contextualizing Indo-US collaboration within global development frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this paper argues that climate-resilient agriculture is not only a technical challenge but also a diplomatic frontier shaping the future of global food security. The article concludes that such collaborative efforts can serve as a replicable model for transnational engagement in the era of climate uncertainty.