Ever since he became prime minister, there has been speculation about the relationship between
Narendra Modi's government and the US. Modi's personal relationship with the US has not
been happy. In 2005, not only was he denied a diplomatic visa to the
US, but the normal B1/B2 visa issued to him earlier was also withdrawn
under a 1998 US law which bars entry to foreigners who have committed
"particularly severe violations of religious freedom". This was done at
the behest of a number of US Congress members and NGOs who campaigned
against him because of the issues arising from the massacre of Muslims
in Gujarat following the Godhra killings.
But in the months
leading up to his historic sweep of the Lok Sabha, Modi made several
statements indicating that he would put national interest ahead of any
supposed personal pique in relation to the US. In one interview he
termed India and the US "natural allies", in a formulation that had been
first made during the prime ministership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Modi
also noted that it was Vajpayee who laid the foundation for a new era of
partnership with the US, so "we will build upon that and take it
forward".
Given his personality, no matter what he says, Modi is
not likely to forget the slight of the US visa denial easily. But, no
matter what he may feel or believe, it would be difficult for Modi to
ignore the US. As of now, it remains the world's most formidable
military and economic power - one that can harm us, if it chooses, but
also help us, if it wants to.
Actually, Modi's personal issue is
just one aspect of the poor relations between India and the US in the
past couple of years. A lot of work needs to be done in
Washington and New Delhi to undo the era of bad feelings.
The
process seems to have begun in right earnest in a succession of American
visits, beginning with that of influential Senator John McCain,
followed by that of Deputy Secretary of State William Burns. There have
been a number of other visits by lower-level delegations from the
departments of defence and commerce, as well as a slew of think tanks.
Now, Modi has accepted an invitation by US President Barack Obama for an
official visit to Washington in September. Officials are emphasising
that this is a special event and not a byproduct of his visit to New
York to attend the UN General Assembly.
Like China did in the
early 1980s, India needs to exploit the opportunity of good relations
with the US to become a stronger economic and military power. Indeed, as
a decisive leader, Modi could well transform the relationship with the
US and enable it to reach its full potential. The Chinese are also aware
of this and are wooing New Delhi frantically. But as long as the border
dispute between the two countries remains unresolved, there is a limit
to which Sino-Indian relations can grow.
Mail Today July 15, 2014
Sunday, August 31, 2014
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