fbpx
Politics Foreign Affairs Culture Fellows Program

Obama, Modi, and U.S.-Indian Relations

The two leaders have made a point of cultivating a better relationship over the last year.
obamamodi

Richard Weitz remarks on the results of the president’s recent visit to New Delhi:

Of course, while building long-term diplomatic capital is important, leaders do need some near-term results to keep the relationship from stalling, as it had during Obama’s first term. In this regard, the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, whose details have yet to be released, has apparently created a state-backed insurance scheme to overcome Western companies’ concerns about India’s unlimited liability law for nuclear operators in the country. It also reportedly resolved the problem of keeping track of nuclear materials provided by the U.S to India. Even if no sales result from the agreement, the two governments can affirm that they have met their obligations and created an acceptable mechanism that private firms can use if they so choose.

The liability law threatened to undo the nuclear deal that started under Bush and continued to be worked out under Obama, so it is encouraging that the two governments appear to have resolved this issue to their mutual satisfaction. Considering the potential for deterioration in relations following the BJP victory under Modi last year, the subsequent improvement in U.S.-Indian relations has been all the more notable and welcome. Credit is due to the leaders of both governments, who have made a point of cultivating a better relationship over the last year.

Obama had an opportunity following Modi’s election to solidify U.S.-Indian ties, and fortunately he took advantage of it. Though he did not neglect India nearly as much as hawkish critics claimed, he made a more concerted effort in the last year to improve the relationship than he had before and it appears to have paid off. For his part, Modi chose not to let his old visa issue sour relations with Washington from the start, but instead decided to pursue a constructive relationship with the U.S. regardless of how he had been treated in the past. Washington will have to accept that India is going to continue taking different positions on a number of international issues, but that shouldn’t get in the way of increased cooperation between our governments. As long as the U.S. doesn’t set unrealistic goals for what closer ties with India can provide, there is great potential for a constructive relationship that stands to benefit both countries.

Advertisement

Comments

Become a Member today for a growing stake in the conservative movement.
Join here!
Join here