First impressions

As India prepares for an intensive engagement with the Obama Administration, South Block knows that first impressions matter. Four years ago when George W. Bush began his second presidential term, it was the early contact that cleared the ground for the historic nuclear deal.

Once they agreed on a new approach on civilian nuclear cooperation, neither Dr. Singh nor Bush wavered in the face of many obstacles that came in the way.

Clarity on what India and the United States could do for each other in the Af-Pak region should similarly set the stage for security cooperation in the coming years.

The Obama Administration’s initial focus was entirely on defining an Af-Pak policy. It is yet to finalise its India policy. All we have at this stage is Hillary Clinton’s suggestion that the transformation of the bilateral ties in Obama’s first term could be dramatic. If New Delhi has any big ideas for future cooperation with Washington, this is the time to put them on the table.

It is a common refrain that Indian diplomacy tends to be reactive. As in his first term, and so in his second, Dr. Singh can show the world that this is no longer true and that New Delhi is capable of a pro-active foreign policy.

Buy American

Over the long-term, there is one area that is more important than either the civil nuclear initiative or working together in Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is defence industrial cooperation. Any measure of comprehensive national power, that is so popular in Beijing these days, would put defence capabilities at the very top.

... contd.