Why in news?
US Secretary of State is going to visit India this week.
What is the current situation?
- For nearly two decades, India and USA had steadily narrowed their multiple differences inherited from the Cold War.
- They have expanded the ambit of their bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
- However, differences once again dominate the public narrative today which may include,
- Trade and market access
- Cross border data flows
- India’s purchases of oil from Iran
- Purchase of advanced weapons from Russia.
- Although the divergence between the two nations is disturbing, it is worth remembering four important factors.
What the factors are all about?
- India is not alone in facing sudden difficulties with USA - Many of America’s leading economic and political partners face similar challenges.
- This is not the first time that India is facing a crisis-like situation with US - Over the last quarter of a century, we have had many issues including Kashmir, South Asian security, India’s rejection of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, Delhi’s 1998 nuclear tests etc.
- Political suspicion and bureaucratic resistance in both capitals were relentless.
- Yet many of these difficulties were done away through engagement and sustained negotiations.
- Opportunity in disguise - The current dynamic situation between India and US is also an opportunity for taking a fresh look at the relationship that has seen some stagnation in recent years.
- It is also a moment to set some ambitious targets for the future.
- So, the current problems should not be considered as alarming ones.
How were the issues addressed in the past?
- Within a few weeks of India’s Nuclear tests and American sanctions in May 1998, both the parties began a series of conversation on the differences over nuclear proliferation.
- The dialogue between the two leaders eventually led to the historic civil nuclear deal which was signed in 2005.
- This deal facilitated the lifting of most technology sanctions against India, the integration of India into the global non-proliferation order and the expansion of bilateral defence and security cooperation.
- Even when struggle arose in India to build a domestic consensus, the then US President was prepared to help move the negotiation forward at all critical junctures.
How different is the situation now?
- This time though, India will have to deal with a very different US President.
- He believes that America is being exploited by other countries.
- He insists on fair trade and reciprocity in US partnerships.
- But India too is a very different country from what it was in 1998.
- It has a much bigger economy.
- India is interconnected with the rest of the world as never before and has big stakes in consolidating the partnership with the US.
- Unlike the nuclear negotiation, where the real internal stakeholders were few, trade talks involve many government agencies, state governments and the business community.
What should be done?
- The key is to keep the negotiations going and make progress wherever one can.
- It is essential for modernising the partnership with the US so as to secure India’s interests.
Source: The Hindu
