Sobriety after the euphoria of the U.S. state visit
Context:
- The excitement that accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the US in June has not yet materialised. Many people who have detailed memories of earlier U.S.-India interactions are therefore compelled to question whether this is the same America that previously let India down at critical junctures.
Background:
- Particularly two American presidents, Lyndon B. Johnson in 1963 and Richard Nixon in 1971, are still known for their horrific involvement in this matter.
- Nixon for sending American military to the conflict between India and Pakistan in 1971 and Johnson for withholding aid from India in the wake of China’s terrible attack on India in 1962. The Seventh Fleet is shown travelling up the Bay of Bengal in an effort to deter India from supporting the “liberation struggle” in East Bengal, which ultimately led to the establishment of Bangladesh.
- This time, it was completely irrelevant to consider how the United States relates to India.
- A significant shift in American thought may be seen in the possibilities of technology transfer in a number of industries, most notably in the manufacture of fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force.
- All of this, together with the many other crucial technology agreements currently under negotiation, may greatly improve India’s military and aerospace capabilities.
Indians’ previous and recent visits:
- A successful visit to the United States by an Indian Prime Minister is often regarded as one accurate measure of India’s standing in the community of countries. It is tempting to compare Mr. Modi’s most recent journey to others that Indian prime ministers have taken since the nation gained its freedom.
- Lal Bahadur Shastri’s journey never happened, Indira Gandhi’s trip to Washington as prime minister was rather disastrous, and both India and the United States had their own versions of what transpired. Jawaharlal Nehru made a number of travels.
- All reports indicate that Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s visit was a success, challenging many preconceived notions.
- Undoubtedly, none of them could compare to the frenzy that two contemporary prime ministers, Manmohan Singh and Mr. Modi, generated during their visits.
The civil nuclear deal represented a shift:
- It is true that the opening up of civil nuclear cooperation between India and the U.S. during the first decade of the twenty-first century caused a tectonic shift in world events that was unmatched before or afterwards.
- obtaining a nuclear non-proliferation treaty waiver and receiving U.S. The unique Safeguards Agreement between India and the IAEA was made possible because to the historic 123 Agreement, which Congress authored.
- The IAEA Safeguards are no longer required for a certain number of reactors, allowing India to employ nuclear reactors for military reasons.
Being cautious and taking the past into account:
- The United States of the twenty-first century unquestionably differs from its counterpart from the late twentieth century in a variety of ways.
- India should be cautious and keep in mind its past missteps notwithstanding the excitement that has followed Mr. Modi’s visit.
- India is not the kind of ally that the United States demands or seeks, at least not just now.
- Additionally, compared to most of the recent past, American politics are in greater turmoil right now.
- The individual preferences of the U.S. Foreign countries, like India, frequently find it difficult to properly comprehend the president’s position and the “swing factor” in American foreign policy, among other things.
- India is aware of how the US modifies its connections and interests.
- Despite the current excitement in relations, the situation has been dictated by circumstance rather than conviction, as serious leaders on both sides must plainly understand.
- India in particular must not forget this. An agreement like the AUKUS Pact, which links the United States to the United Kingdom and Australia, is inconceivable for India to be a part of.
- The underlying differences between the AUKUS and the Quad (India, Japan, Australia, and the United States) are significant.
Moving forward:
- Instead, India must expertly utilise the outcomes of the Prime Minister’s tour to operate as a “bridge power.” It should not be forced by threats like defence ties to represent the United States’ inferior in Asia-Pacific relations because it is perfectly suited to do so.
