Expectation high before PM's US trip
The impending visit of the Prime Minister to the US comes in the atmospherics set by the transformational shift in the political scene of India on the one hand, and an inept reading and handling of the Indian situation by the US establishment on the eve of the general elections in India, on the other. Advisors of President Obama - used to Dr Manmohan Singh's style of functioning - perhaps presumed that in India it was going to be more of the same and clearly underestimated the surge for change that prevailed here during the run up to the election.
They now have to cope up with the new face of India represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who brings to bear in his dealings with the world, a spirit of healthy bilateralism, clarity about India's national security concerns and a total commitment to growth and development.
Japan The backdrop is set by Modi's successful visits to Nepal and Japan. But bonhomie with one's friends did not mean that the Prime Minister could not be firm when he needed to be. His firm stance against border incursions on the LAC - Line of Actual Control during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India, was something to be admired. As a result, there is new substance in India's relations with its neighbours and its significance would not be lost on the American hosts. Clearly, the Chinese border incursion will be a strong talking point for the Prime Minister and President Obama but one does not expect it to impede other long standing issues between India and the US.
The Prime Minister's visit to the US would be important more for defining the tenor and direction of Indo-US relations than for wrapping up economic and business deals. The unchanged base of friendship between the two countries remains in place; the two largest democracies of the world should be 'natural' friends . They should be seen to be on the same side of the fence in most matters affecting global peace in the post-Cold War era.
However, after having reached the so-called Next Stage in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) their relations drifted along uncertain course in economic, political and security related spheres. Each one of these segments will require a redefining of the grid of understanding. The American side will have to work more for bringing in clarity there which would happen only if Indian concerns were addressed.The new regime in India is opening up our market for foreign investment within its declared policy of promoting public private partnership and making India the global hub of manufacture. It has promised the elimination of red tape in project clearance.
In the US context, American companies may have to curb the desire of seeking totally one-sided profitability. If they do this, it will facilitate economic cooperation between the two governments.
Strategy
It is in relation to the 'world view' the US holds at present and the role that it thinks India can play there, that Indo-US relations might need a strategic correction. Both countries have shed a lot of baggage and old expectations of the Cold War days. The Indo-US civil nuclear deal symbolised India's desire to become a part of economic multi-polarity in the globalised world without joining in the race for military power. The US can expect India to be on its side in matters that ensure global peace- be it on the issues of nuclear proliferation, Baltic Region or the South China Sea. But India's voice has to be respected too. While economic globalisation and international polity do not challenge Indo-US friendship, it is in the area of national security concerns that India under Narendra Modi may not continue the soft-pedalling done by the last regime and may demand a clear response from the US on the known differential that exists between the two countries on their view of Pakistan.
The decade-long 'war on terror' saw India being firmly on board with the US-led coalition and yet denied the kind of support that was needed from the Americans against the Pak sponsored cross border terrorism facing India during this period . The American stand of upholding the Pak denial of any complicity in 26/11 irks India. Threat The rise of the threat to the US-led West from the forces of radical Islam may or may not lead to greater convergence in the Indo-US approach to the Pak-Afghan region. The likelihood of Pakistan continuing to use that territory for hostile operations against India is,however, a matter of prime importance for us as far as our national security is concerned. The Obama administration has to understand this if it wants to put Indo-US relations on an even keel.