New Delhi: Amid bonhomie over tea, in an informal setting in the lush green lawns of Hyderabad House, US President Barack Obama and Indian Premier Narendra Modi wrote a new diplomatic script for Indo-US ties with a dash of symbolism and substance thrown in.
US President Barack Obama’s visit to India sends out an important message to the world of a growing strategic partnership.
The visit also helps global optics, an important element of international diplomacy. It was a diplomatic coup for the Prime Minister when he informally walked with Obama, following which they sat down for an open air tea, conveying to the world of a personal chemistry between the leaders of the oldest and biggest democracies.
The big takeaway is a hotline between the two and the two national security advisors which will ensure that their commitment to stamp out terrorism is fulfilled.
All this plays out in the world of diplomacy where signals carry considerable weight, and this visit takes the relationship to a new high, with back to back summit meetings within the span of six months.
We deconstruct what the visit has achieved, and what the big strategic gains are for the Indo-US relations.
It was a diplomatic coup to get the US President Barack Obama to be the Chief Guest, sending a message to the world on India’s diplomatic clout, and the growing warmth in Indo-US ties.
Geopolitically it is a message to China that India is an important partner of the US in Asia, and for India, it is a reassertion of India’s diplomatic influence in the region.
During the visit the two leaders did build on the chemistry they have developed, to take the relationship forward.
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-The Big Takeaways-
Implementation of the nuclear deal
The two leaders provided a political push to iron out the wrinkles in the nuclear deal. While India has gone more than a mile on the liability issue, the US needs to convince its suppliers that they need to accommodate India’s concerns, and move forward.
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Action against terror mastermindsÂ
On terrorism issue, Obama has demonstrated clear commitment to support India in its fight against terrorism emanating from Pakistan. And it’s clear commitment to get terror masterminds like Hafiz Saeed, Dawood Ibrahim, which found mention in the joint statement.
During their talks they agreed that they have to add to Obama’s resolve to stamp out terrorism as these terror leaders endanger the US interests as well.
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Enhanced defence cooperation
The other takeaway was the US assurance that it will be a reliable defence supplier to India. This would see a bilateral defence partnership and an agreement on transfer of technology, especially the dual use technology, without any exception or licensing requirements.
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Trade will boomÂ
The bilateral trade is currently at $62 billion, but it can touch the $100 billion mark if there are greater trade facilitation measures from both sides and they agree to take this forward and a bilateral investment promotion treaty will be put on a fast track.
They also agreed that they need to have closer and coordinated positions, keeping in mind their respective national interests at the UN, G-20 and at other multilateral forums.
Overall the Mobama summit has ensured a new high for the Indo-US relations; the leaders have shown the way now it is for the bureaucracies to work the momentum.
The complete joint Indo-US statement
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