For more than two decades now, the two countries have been developing a constructive cooperation over an ever-widening range of areas and issues that include political, economic, strategic, cultural and perhaps the most significantly in the field of civil nuclear field. Consequently, the Indo-US relationship—good, bad or indifferent—has become the most important in the entire web of India’s relations with other countries.
Right from India’s independence, the country tried to maintain and develop very cordial relations with the US. Almost all the Indian leaders acknowledged with gratitude the positive steps taken by the US in exerting pressure on the British Government to grant independence to India. Moreover, the democratic ideals of the US also fascinated Indian leadership to a great extent, who tried to build strong relations with the US.
The two countries have intensified and strengthened their relationship besides signing of the historic nuclear deal. This is an objective recognition of the inherent strength and resilience of the growing strategic relations between the two countries. At present, these relations serve not only the interests of both countries but also gave a global significance.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held his first one-on-one meeting with the US President Barack Obama in London on April 2, 2009 on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit. The two leaders decided to further consolidate the strong Indo-US relationship. The meeting between the two leaders at the Excel Centre here may also see the 76-year-old Prime Minister, himself an economist of repute, giving one piece of advice to the first African American President, almost 30 years younger to the Indian leader, on how the world could grapple with the unprecedented economic crisis. The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues during the meeting, apart from the economic meltdown.
Terrorism Menace
Manmohan had his substantive meeting with the 46-year-old Obama, who hailed India as a ‘global power’, critical to meeting the challenges of the 21st century, and said the US was ready to work with New Delhi to counter the forces of terrorism. They discussed terrorism emanating not only from Pakistan but also from Afghanistan.
Right from India’s independence, the country tried to maintain and develop very cordial relations with the US. Almost all the Indian leaders acknowledged with gratitude the positive steps taken by the US in exerting pressure on the British Government to grant independence to India. Moreover, the democratic ideals of the US also fascinated Indian leadership to a great extent, who tried to build strong relations with the US.
The two countries have intensified and strengthened their relationship besides signing of the historic nuclear deal. This is an objective recognition of the inherent strength and resilience of the growing strategic relations between the two countries. At present, these relations serve not only the interests of both countries but also gave a global significance.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held his first one-on-one meeting with the US President Barack Obama in London on April 2, 2009 on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit. The two leaders decided to further consolidate the strong Indo-US relationship. The meeting between the two leaders at the Excel Centre here may also see the 76-year-old Prime Minister, himself an economist of repute, giving one piece of advice to the first African American President, almost 30 years younger to the Indian leader, on how the world could grapple with the unprecedented economic crisis. The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues during the meeting, apart from the economic meltdown.
Terrorism Menace
Manmohan had his substantive meeting with the 46-year-old Obama, who hailed India as a ‘global power’, critical to meeting the challenges of the 21st century, and said the US was ready to work with New Delhi to counter the forces of terrorism. They discussed terrorism emanating not only from Pakistan but also from Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister and the US President discussed the developments in Afghanistan. They agreed that the two countries must work together to counter the forces of terror.
Indo-Pak Dialogue
The US President pushed for an India-Pakistan dialogue process but Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made it clear that a "minimum pre-condition" for it was that Pakistan should not allow its soil to be used to promote terrorism.Then Obama went on to suggest that "it may make sense to create an effective dialogue between India and Pakistan in this nuclear age and at a time when perhaps the greatest enemy" of the two countries should be poverty.
The Prime Minister also made it clear to Pakistan in extremely tough language that the onus for resumption of the composite dialogue with that country lay entirely with Islamabad, which has to give India a credible assurance that it is sincere in ending cross-border terrorism.
The Prime Minister also made it clear to Pakistan in extremely tough language that the onus for resumption of the composite dialogue with that country lay entirely with Islamabad, which has to give India a credible assurance that it is sincere in ending cross-border terrorism.
Dr Singh said he had discussed the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan with President Obama at their meeting, and that India and the United States would work together to counter the forces of terror.
India, he pointed out, had given answers to all “30 questions” posed by Pakistan on the Mumbai attacks. “The ball is in Pakistan’s court. Pakistan has to convince us... (It) has the opportunity to assure the world that it is sincere in its statements about not allowing its soil to be used for terrorism,” Singh said.
Other Issues
Besides terrorism, particularly in the South Asian region, the Obama-Singh talks also covered climate change and what they both saw as “other challenges” of the 21st century.
The two leaders resolved to give a new direction to relations between the world’s largest democracy and the world’s oldest democracy. They underlined that there was a lot of scope for cooperation between the two countries in various areas, including science and technology, climate change and energy.
On whether the controversial H-1B visa issue, the Indian Prime Minister also raised protectionism in general, not H-1 B visa in particular, and both of us agreed to do everything in our powers to roll back protectionism.
Assessment
Neither the US nor India has experience in dealing with strategic partners. Despite difficulties, both India and the US have a basic mutuality of interest to make it work. In a balance-of-power world it is up to India to engage the US in a partnership and shape it to accept the new situation. How India responds to this new challenge and opportunity, with fresh ideas and ability to translate them into a concensus for action, will to a great extent determine India’s credentials as a global player.
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