Namaste America: Indo-US Relations See a

New High
Introduction
PM Narendra Modi arrived at USA, calling it our Natural Global
Partner to attend the United Nations General Assembly meet on 26
September 2014. A total of 50 meetings were planned during the
course of his 100 hours, 5 day trip. These included, addressing the
UNGA, meeting with UN General Secretary, Mr Ban ki Moon and US
President Barack Obama, interaction with top business heads in the
country, addressing NRIs at the Madison Square, visiting ground zero
of 9/11 and paying homage, meeting with heads of states like
Nepalese PM Shri Sushil Koirala, Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina, and
others on the sidelines of the UNGA Meet.
Indo- US Relations during the Cold War Era

During the cold war era, most countries of the world got aligned
towards either of the two power blocks, i.e. USSR (Warsaw Pact
Nations) or the US led Western Block (NATO Countries).

Pakistan joined the US led Western Block in 1954, while India

decided to adopted the Non-Aligned policy and refrained from
joining any of the power blocks, however, it had a leaning
towards the Soviet Union.

During the early 1950s, India was largely dependent on America

and Soviet Union for food and provision of Development Loans.
The share of aid from USA surpassed that of USSR by nearly
double.

Like in the present times, USA regarded India as a strategic

patterned and a counter weight to the rise of Communist China.

That is why Kennedy administration openly supported India

during the Sino-India war of 1962 and called it a blatant act of
aggression.

USA flew in humanitarian and limited military hardware supplies

for the Indian troops.

After the assassination of Kennedy in 1963, the Indo-US

relationship gradually deteriorated under the Nixon
administration. He established close ties with Pakistan and
provided military and economic aid to Pakistan.

A major reason for the American policy shift was that India
started demonstrating closeness with the Soviet Union and the
US wanted a close ally to counter the Soviet influence in the
region.

During the Indo-Pak war of 1971 USA openly provided Pakistan

with military and moral support. In fact they even deployed their
aircraft carrier USS Enterprise towards the Bay of Bengal as a
show of force during the war.

In 1974, India conducted its first Nuclear Test much to the

annoyance of the US, who called for imposing a ban on the
export of nuclear material to India in 1978, as India did not sign
the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

When Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1980, the Regan

administration improved ties with India, besides maintaining
better ties with Pakistan to continue to maintain a credible
influence in the area.

During this period a range of selected military technology was

supplied to India, like, super computers, night visions, and
radars, gas turbines for naval frigates and engines for Indias
light combat aircraft.

Indo-US Relations after the Disintegration of USSR

The first ripple of unpleasantness occurred in the Indo-US

relationship when PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee government
conducted the nuclear weapon testing at Pokhran in May 1998.

USA voted for a UN Security Council Resolution condemning the

tests and President Bill Clinton imposed economic sanctions on
India, including cutting off all military and economic aid, freezing
loans by American banks to Indian companies, prohibiting
American aerospace technology and uranium exports to India.

These sanctions had little effect on Indian economy as it had

very limited trade with the USA.

The sanctions were soon lifted and President Clinton visited

India in Mar 2000. During this visit, the Indo-US Science &
Technology Forum was established.

During the period from 2001 to 2006, especially after the

September 2001 attack on the World Trade Centre, the Indo-US
relationship blossomed under the Bush administration.

The main areas of confluence were, fighting Islamic extremism,

energy security and fighting climate change.

During the period from 2004 to 2008, bilateral trade between the
two countries tripled.

The Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, called the 123 Agreement

was signed in Oct 2008.

In November 2010, President Barack Obama visited India and

addressed a joint session of Indian Parliament and backed Indias
bid for permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

India formally re-engaged United States in strategic dialogue and the

joint statement outlined extensive bilateral initiatives, like, countering
terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, trade and economic
relations, energy security, climate change, agriculture, education,
health and science and technological development.

Immediate Concerns of USA

USA wants to remain dominant and to be seen as the Big

Brother in the domain of world affairs. Its major concerns with
respect to maintaining the balance of power, which no country in
Eurasia or Asia can challenge are:

Contain Chinas military and economic expansionism.

Effectively control the spread of Islamic terrorism in AF-Pak.

Reign in the influence of ISSI and have West friendly regimes

taking over control in the countries of Middle East region.

Stub Russias influence in Ukraine, through coercive diplomacy

and back up West Ukraine and Crimea to extend the Euro-US
area of influence close to Russian border.

Increase leverage in Iran through a stick and carrot approach.

Improve economy at home and generate employment.

Role that India can Play to Support US Concerns

Many of the above mentioned US concerns were also the core

issues discussed during the meet of the heads of NATO countries
at Wales in August 2014.

In most of the above explicit requirements, India can play a

pivotal role. How it could do that, is discussed in the succeeding
paragraphs:

Chinas policy of String of Pearls by having a major presence

and aggressive posture in the sub continent can be effectively
countered through Indias recently coined Link West and Look
East Policy.

USA extends solidarity to India and ASEAN countries in their

views of calling Chinas ambition to expand its maritime borders

in the South China and East China Seas as an unreasonable act

of aggression.

India is actively engaged in building up an anti-China quorum in

the region, e.g. PM Modis visit to Japan, his ongoing endeavour
to improve ties with SAARC countries and the SE Asian nations.
The same appropriately serves the interests of US in the region.

India happens to be one of the largest donors for Afghanistans

reconstruction. It donated $ 1.2 billon, which makes it the largest
donor in the region.

Hence, after the exit of the US troops from Afghanistan, India is

bound to play a pivotal role in the geo-politics of democratic
Afghanistan.

Considering the known bias of Pakistan ISI and Military towards

the Taliban, India will be its reliable strategic partner in keeping
the fundamentalist forces in check in the region.

Since, India has traditionally maintained good relations with Iran

and Russia; it can play an important role of a mediator between
Iran-US and Russia-US to resolve the ongoing politico-military
stalemate.

India provides the largest number of consumers for American

goods, (every sixth human on the globe is an Indian). To boost
American economy Indians must flourish and consume to make
US businesses and manufacturing to run profitably and also
generate employment.

India provides a large number of skilled professionals, especially

in the IT sector, who are cranking the US economy to move in
positive direction.

USA has now surpassed Russia as Indias number one defence

supplier. India has signed / is in the process of signing major
Defence deals with USA, like, M-777 Ultra-light Howitzers,

Javelin Anti Tank Guided Missiles, UAVs, and Apache Attack &
Chinook Heavy- Lift Helicopters.

Incidentally, The 145 Ultra-Light M-777 Howitzers are being

procured for the new mountain corps being raised to counter the
Chinese threat in NE India.

Highlights of PM Narendra Modis UNGA Address

Suggested reforming United Nation Security Council by 2015.

Make global growth more inclusive by not restricting to smaller

entities like G4, G7 or G20, but making it G-All.

Improving basic amenities for all, including, sanitation, drinking

water, and making healthcare holistic by going back to basics;
changing life style and incorporating Yoga in everyday life.

Recommended to frame policies and agreements on international

trade, which accommodates every countrys concern.

Stated that UN should take initiative on a comprehensive

convention on international terrorism and the whole world must
unite to weed out terrorism.

He rebuked Pakistan by saying that raising bilateral issues at UN

is not the right way to resolve the J&K issue and added that he
was prepared to engage in serious bilateral dialogue with
Pakistan in a peaceful atmosphere, without the shadow of
terrorism.

Conclusion

PM Narendra Modi got a Rock-stars welcome at USA. He has

generated the necessary bonhomie and was able to strike the right
cords during his visit to carry the Indo-US relations to the next level.
USA views India as an emerging regional economic and military power,
that can act as its strategic partner and an economic money spinner.
The convergence of interests on regional and most global issues will
further help to cement the relationship.