For long, having been in the wilderness of the geo-political objectives of the United States, India is finally emerging as a strategic ally in its own right. In the aftermath of 9/11, and given India’s swift response to the tragedy, the United States has given renewed consideration to the possible role India could play in the geo-strategic politics of Asia with a key responsibility in the Indian subcontinent. Subsequently, a number of bilateral moves have been initiated, most prominently, in the fields of military, technology and counter terrorism operations. This growing strategic relationship between the world’s oldest and largest democracies was even articulated in the National Security Strategy of the United States in 2002, which recognized the conviction, which the United States imparted to developing a strengthened bilateral relationship with India.
The second term of President George Bush is widely seen as favorable for fostering these ties further. As has been interpreted from the various speeches that President Bush has made since his second inaugural, the focus this time round would definitely be on multi lateral initiatives. Furthermore, the members of his cabinet are known for their pragmatism and multilateral leanings. Then there is also the widely acclaimed but little followed - Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP). The potential of the NSSP for defining the Indo - US relations in the coming years, can be gauged with the immense progress that has been made since President Bush made the announcement in January 2004. But key events in the past few weeks have underlined that a mutual level of understanding still needs to be developed between the two countries. News of the decision by the United States to sell F-16 fighter aircrafts to Pakistan came as a rude surprise to policy makers in India, especially since this decision was announced a few days after Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, visit to India.
Juxtaposing the bonhomie over the NSSP with the confounding news of the sale of the F-16’s it becomes important to evaluate broader US foreign policy interests in the Indian subcontinent and the region. One of the first issues to consider would be the US presence that already exists in the subcontinent. A cursory glance at the map of India and its immediate neighbors shows considerable US presence (or influence) in the region. Therefore before one gauges Indo – US foreign policy, one must consider US foreign policy towards India’s neighbors.
A tentative step in this direction has been taken with the recent announcement that the United States was willing to sell advanced fighter aircrafts (F-16’s and F-18’s) to India while lifting the embargo on American firms bidding for Indian defense contracts. In addition the United States would also be willing to look at assisting India in generating nuclear energy. All these developments should be indicative of the growing bilateral and strategic dialogue between the two nations. The United States can further prove itself to be a dependable ally to India, something that has not been achieved in the past through sustained techno logistic support in the future. India, for its part, must not hyphenate this growing relationship with the United States vis-à-vis Pakistan.
If a strategic relationship has to be sustained between the two countries, or at least be acknowledged, as is the case with the NSSP, then significant steps need to be taken to sustain the NSSP. While the NSSP does signify the intent of the two countries, sustained efforts are needed from both sides, to move bilateral relations to a higher trajectory. It therefore becomes imperative that there be a convergence between the United States and India on issues that affect the interests of both nations in the immediate region and beyond. These collaborations could then become key strengths in the bilateral association.
In any event, Indo – US bilateral relations have come a long way and one can only expect a deepening of this relationship in the coming years.
The second term of President George Bush is widely seen as favorable for fostering these ties further. As has been interpreted from the various speeches that President Bush has made since his second inaugural, the focus this time round would definitely be on multi lateral initiatives. Furthermore, the members of his cabinet are known for their pragmatism and multilateral leanings. Then there is also the widely acclaimed but little followed - Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP). The potential of the NSSP for defining the Indo - US relations in the coming years, can be gauged with the immense progress that has been made since President Bush made the announcement in January 2004. But key events in the past few weeks have underlined that a mutual level of understanding still needs to be developed between the two countries. News of the decision by the United States to sell F-16 fighter aircrafts to Pakistan came as a rude surprise to policy makers in India, especially since this decision was announced a few days after Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, visit to India.
Juxtaposing the bonhomie over the NSSP with the confounding news of the sale of the F-16’s it becomes important to evaluate broader US foreign policy interests in the Indian subcontinent and the region. One of the first issues to consider would be the US presence that already exists in the subcontinent. A cursory glance at the map of India and its immediate neighbors shows considerable US presence (or influence) in the region. Therefore before one gauges Indo – US foreign policy, one must consider US foreign policy towards India’s neighbors.
A tentative step in this direction has been taken with the recent announcement that the United States was willing to sell advanced fighter aircrafts (F-16’s and F-18’s) to India while lifting the embargo on American firms bidding for Indian defense contracts. In addition the United States would also be willing to look at assisting India in generating nuclear energy. All these developments should be indicative of the growing bilateral and strategic dialogue between the two nations. The United States can further prove itself to be a dependable ally to India, something that has not been achieved in the past through sustained techno logistic support in the future. India, for its part, must not hyphenate this growing relationship with the United States vis-à-vis Pakistan.
If a strategic relationship has to be sustained between the two countries, or at least be acknowledged, as is the case with the NSSP, then significant steps need to be taken to sustain the NSSP. While the NSSP does signify the intent of the two countries, sustained efforts are needed from both sides, to move bilateral relations to a higher trajectory. It therefore becomes imperative that there be a convergence between the United States and India on issues that affect the interests of both nations in the immediate region and beyond. These collaborations could then become key strengths in the bilateral association.
In any event, Indo – US bilateral relations have come a long way and one can only expect a deepening of this relationship in the coming years.
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