US-India convergence and differences

The relationship between the two is growing

Unlike his predecessor, Modi stands for fast track diplomacy. Within the first hundred days in power he has visited Bhutan, Nepal, Japan and now the US. Soon after his meeting with PM Shinzo Abe he held talks with the visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping. Modi is also a go-getter. Besides holding discussions on a wide range of subjects he was able to receive pledges of $35 billion from Japan and $20 billion from China.

The US and India share a number of concerns. The Mumbai terrorist attack matters to the US also because two American citizens were among the dead. The joint statement therefore urges Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack to justice During Modi’s visit both sides signed security agreements for joint and concerted efforts against militant groups, including the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Haqqani Network and Al Qaeda. They also committed themselves to disrupting all financial and tactical support to these as well as Dawood Ibrahim’s group.

The US sees India as an emerging player on the international chessboard. Thus issues like the Middle East violence and extremism and the Asia-Pacific situation were bound to come under discussion. The US also sees India as a big market both for consumer goods and weapons systems. The talks however didn’t produce a breakthrough on a number of disagreements which include India’s move to block a trade agreement at the World Trade Organisation. India is not likely to follow the US blindly in matters related to China. The visit ended therefore without a news conference addressed by the two leaders. What is more there was no big ticket announcement like the ones with Japan and China.

Unlike India, Pakistan offers a much smaller market. Islamabad cannot pledge $12 million for tackling issues such as the Ebola outbreak. To claim a rightful place in the comity of nations Pakistan needs to take indiscriminate action against all terrorist groups, strengthen democracy and concentrate on building its economy.