Decoding the Obama visit

New Delhi: US President Barack Obama’s visit to India sends out an important message to the world of a growing Indo-US strategic partnership. The visit also helps global optics, an important element of international diplomacy, which will take the relationship to a new high with back to back summit meetings within the span of six months.

We deconstruct what the visit can achieve, and what must be the key deliverables for the visit to ensure larger strategic gains, for the Indo-US relations.

 

The Republic Day Chief Guest

For years the Republic Day Chief Guests have been chosen in line with strategic priorities of India. The relationship we shared – from the Russian President Vladimir Putin, Nicolas Sarkozy of France, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, David Cameron of the UK, to the Saudi King and the King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wanghchuk – has played a key role in the choice of a Republic Day Chief Guest in India’s strategic priorities.

Usually the choice is suggested by the Ministry of External Affairs, and then agreed by the Prime Minister’s office, but this time it was the PMO led by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi who drove the idea. 

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 must build on the chemistry they have developed, to take the relationship forward.

 

The Gandhi Connection

Even as a freshman, senator Obama had a picture of Mahatma Gandhi in his office. He claimed the one dinner guest he would have liked to host would have been Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence is even more relevant in the world where terrorism is of huge concern.

Obama made a special gesture by taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a tour of Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington. The Indian Prime Minister should also consider taking the US President on a round of Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial, as these special gestures help in creating a personal chemistry, and work very well in diplomacy.

 

-The Big Takeaways-

Implement the nuclear deal

The two leaders need to provide 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.

 

Action against terror masterminds 

On terrorism issue, Obama has demonstrated clear commitment to support India in its fight against terrorism emanating from Pakistan. But a clear commitment to get terror masterminds like Hafiz Saeed, Dawood Ibrahim and Zaki ur rehman Lakhvi will go a long way in boosting the Indo-US ties. 

This will only add to Obama’s resolve to stamp out terrorism as these terror leaders endanger the US interests as well.

 

Step up defence cooperation

The other takeaway will be of US assurance of a reliable defence supplier to India. This would see a bilateral defence partnership and an agreement on transfer of technology, and especially the dual use technology, without any exception or licensing requirements.

 

Opening FDI further

One of the key talking points will be to get greater US investments in India, and the Foreign Direct Investment norms may be tweaked further.

India should also be open to FDI in multi-brand retail with additional safeguards, if required, as this will increase employment and will be a good move for the consumer.

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.

 

Consular and Visa issues

The US must realize Indians believe that the US is a natural ally of India with shared democratic and liberal values.

An easier visa regime for bonafide visitor’s to the fast track global entry programme, and easier visa regime for Indian professionals, will strengthen the bonds between the two countries and create a win-win partnership.

 

Support to digital India initiative

India needs to take forward the cooperation in IT to make the digital India initiative of the Prime Minister a reality. The best practices can be shared to take the initiative to the Indian villages.

 

US must conclude social security agreement

Indian-Americans and the Indian professionals working in the US are effective partners to our growing ties. The US must conclude the social security agreement to ensure that the social security contributions by Indians are not lost for them on their return to India.

 

Greater cooperation in Asia and beyond

A leader has to think and act like one; India and the US need to take forward their partnership in addressing common security challenges in countries like Afghanistan.

They must have closer cooperation on maritime piracy, on curbing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and having a regime of greater intelligence sharing to combat common threats.

This will also require closer and coordinated positions, keeping in mind their respective national interests at the UN, G-20 and at other multilateral forums.