These proposals might be integrated into a proposed new arms control initiative under Obama that will call for big cuts in existing nuclear arsenals of the nuclear weapon powers, draw India into the global nuclear order through the CTBT and fissile material production ban, and strengthen the non-proliferation regime by a more stringent accounting of nuclear materials worldwide. As he reminds Obama of India’s non-proliferation credentials and its historic support to disarmament initiatives, Dr Singh must offer New Delhi’s full cooperation in promoting a more credible global nuclear order that is consistent with the interests of all major powers and express his readiness to discuss its terms and conditions.

Global Warming

If President Obama does take a major initiative on global warming, India, along with China, must expect a lot more heat from Washington. India has sought to deflect these pressures by saying that it will not exceed the per capita carbon emissions of the industrialised world. This might not wash under an Obama Administration. What India needs to figure out at this stage is how far Obama and the Democrats are willing to go in coping with their own domestic costs of a fundamental restructuring of energy use at home.

Afghanistan

As he turns the US military energies from Iraq to Afghanistan, Obama has already declared that he expects America’s friends to do more for the stabilisation and reconstruction of Afghanistan. India, which already contributes significantly to the economic reconstruction in Afghanistan, should be happy to do more. Given the high priority that Obama has attached to the Afghan crisis, the time has come for the US and India to discuss the possibilities for greater security and political cooperation in Afghanistan.

... contd.