Future of India-US Relations

(Summary of the talk by Nicholas Burns formerly US Under Secretary of State and Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Formerly MOS (EA) organized by Aspen Institute, India, July 22, 2010)                                                   

Many world leaders and political commentators have spoken about the emergence of India as a major global player in the 21st century .The US too has stressed the importance of a strategic relationship with India. This was the topic of a talk organized by the ASPEN Institute, India on the 22nd of July at the WWF hall on Lodhi Road, New Delhi, India. The talk featured Nicholas Burns, the former Under-Secretary of State in the Bush Administration and Dr. Shashi Tharoor, former MOS (EA) & currently Member of Parliament.

After a brief introduction by Tarun Das, formerly Mentor of the CII, Nicholas Burns broadly touched upon the visible progress achieved in Indo-US relations in the last ten years or so.Acoording to Burns, most Americans now consider and believe India to be the next Global Superpower and stressed the bipartisan realization by both the Republicans and Democrats that relations with India are of paramount importance. As he lightly put it, “there are very few things that they agree on [Republicans and Democrats], but this relationship with India is one on which they are in complete agreement. He noted that people to people contacts were a major reason for the positive change in Indo-US relations. He also acknowledged the significant role played by the Indian American community which has emerged as one of the most successful communities in terms of per capita GDP in America. As he put it, “[Indian Americans] are unusually successful”.

He highlighted the Civil Nuclear Agreement as an example of the progress India and America had made in their strategic relationship under the presidency of George W Bush. To allay the concerns that many Indians have voiced in recent times, he stated that President Barrack Obama considers India to be a “strategic priority” and this was reflected by his invitation to the Indian PM, Dr Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to be his first Official State Guest in November of 2009.

As for the future of the relationship, Nicholas Burns felt that there ought to be a strong impetus from both sides to define the strategic partnership and agree on what it entails. He went on to add that India is too big and too proud a country to be categorized as an ally or an uneasy partner. He was of the opinion that India should recognize her role as a growing global power which has ambitions to become a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council. Personally, he believed that India should be a permanent member of the UNSC.
Finally, Burns noted that both countries need to be bold in defining and carrying forward this relationship. He called it a “unique relationship” and stated that there is no existing model that can be copied for framing this relationship. He hoped the relationship between India and the US will witness “major steps forward” rather than incremental changes.

Dr. Shashi Tharoor who spoke after Nicholas Burns agreed with most of what the former Under Secretary had said and complimented him:“Nicholas Burn’s remarks are spot on”. He stressed that the Indian Diaspora is India’s biggest asset and that these people have the clout to advance India’s interests in the US. He added that even the American Political Class has taken notice of the incredible “fund raising prowess” of the Indian American Community. Tharoor felt that this community is probably second only to the Jewish American Community when it comes to lobbying for their interests. While not dismissing Nicholas Burns’s rather   rosy picture, Dr. Tharoor drew attention to some problem areas. He stated that, regrettably, India continues to be still seen through the prism of other relationships. He noted that Indians do not agree with the sentiment doing the rounds in the US that India could potentially be used as a “counter weight” to China. Besides,, the ongoing  close cooperation between the Defence Establishments of the US and  Pakistan  raises concerns in India and leads to the belief that the US values Pakistan as a closer ally.

Dr Tharoor went on to state that India has always been independent in her decision making and will continue to make autonomous decisions. He highlighted certain points that India and the US should concentrate on:

1. Preserve the Global System
2. Decrease terrorism and maintain Global Peace and Security
3. Maintain and enhance free trade as well as spread globalization
4. Maintain democracy and pluralism

However, the former MOS (EA) emphasized that democracy should not be “thrust” upon other countries as the US has been doing recently. He alluded to democracy as love and said that “it should come from within.”

He agreed with Nicholas Burns that India deserves a seat in the UNSC and that there should be meaningful reform in the UNSC to keep pace with the new dynamics in the world.

The second event of the recently launched Indo-American Friendship Association, New Delhi, a brainstorming session on: DRIVING ENGINES OF INDIA-US RELATIONS IN THE DECDE AHEAD was held at Tagore hall, Scope Convention Centre on April 30. The distinguished Panel including kanwal Sibal former Amb to Russia and former FS, Bestselling author Gurcharan Das, fire brand journalist Seema Mustafa, respected academic Prof Amitabh Mattoo, Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi Dr Ashok Vajpeyi & Minister Political Affairs US Embsaay, Uzra Zeya was Chaired by Amb.Llait Mansingh, Former FS & Amb to USA. (Prof Mattoo & Dr Vajpeyi became the victims of traffic jam and couldn’t make it in time).
In his introductory remarks, Ambassador Surendra Kumar, Founding President of IAFA urged the panelists not to carry the baggage of the past and remain stuck in the present but with deep understanding, appreciation & incisive analysis of International affairs, and with a “cool” and clear head, identify the factors which are likely to shape the relationship between India & the US in the decade ahead.

The Chairman Amb. Lalit Mansingh complimented Amb. Kumar for setting up the Assn with so much of enthusiasm & dynamism and claimed that Indo-American Relations have never been better. The facts that the US still remains India’s largest trading partner and President Obama Dr Manmohan Singh have met six times in the past one year and new development that, for the first time, Indian companies have invested more in the US than other way around were cited as the evidence of this claim. However, he wondered why many Indians as well as Americans feel that the relations between the oldest and the largest democracies aren’t as good as they can be. Is it a case of “hypochondria” or is it actually true, asked Amb. Mansingh.

Kanwal Sibal, felt that driving engines suggested a movement forward and had no doubt in his mind that economic stakes will be the most potent driving engine. However he added, the US is a “very demanding partner” and India’s democratic set up slows down the decision making process and makes it difficult to keep up with the pace. According to him, the US can help India in agriculture field, R &D, infrastructure and knowledge fusion. “Defence” offered significant prospects of co-operation/collaboration Sibal stressed. He was of the opinion that rich and influential Indian American community will continue to have considerable impact on Political relations between India and the US.

Seema Mustafa termed herself as an “odd ball” in the discussion. She felt, the problem was not with bilateral relations but with the so called “strategic partnership”. She flagged three points: the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement Deal was not really a “jewel” in our relations’ crown, but an “elephant in the room” now. The Nuclear Liability Bill is yet not passed in the Parliament as it levies way too few sanctions on the suppliers. The onus of negligence is quite unfair. India is feeling the heat on the CTBT too. Is there a congruent foreign policy? Why did India ditch its long time friend Iran at the IAEA voting stage? Thirdly, Pakistan is a strategic ally of the US and so we are made to settle with half-hearted arguments on Hafiz Saeed, Mumbai attacks and Afghanistan!

Gurcharan Das, underlined the need of clarity for achieving our own national interest vis a vis the US. He believed that the NAM had failed and India had lost its footing on the world stage. But with restored self-confidence, thanks to India’s economic growth in the last 20 years, India- US relations are on a much better footing today than earlier. Gurcharan advised unsentimental pursuit our own national interests. Claiming that he felt threatened by China and Pakistan but not the US Gurcharan maintained that George W. Bush saw India with clarity which is missing in Obama Admn; the de-hyphenation of earlier years has again become hyphenated for India-Pakistan relations in Obama Admn’s view. For real strategic partnership to materialize, our relationship should be based on mutual respect, empathy and honour. The US will prosper in coming years too as, unlike Europe and Japan; it has a high immigrant strength, higher education resources and strong innovation capacities. So, it will be in India’s long term interests to have matured & productive relationship with the US.

Uzra Zeya, Minister of Political Affairs, at the US embassy, Delhi stressed on Economic relations to act as a major driving force to shape Indo American relationship in the decade ahead. She hoped that India would, in near future, rise to become the 5th largest trading partner of the US from it’s current 14th place. She listed defense and Education as other major and expanding areas of bilateral cooperation. She pointed out that the No of Indian students going to USA having reached nearly one hundred thousand, India has now, overtaken China. She also underlined that there has been 20% increase in American students to India adding a new dimension to educational co-operation. Uzra was at pains to emphasize that the present Indo-American relationship did not merely offer photo-ops during high profile visits of dignitaries, it was for real. The sheer range, level, nature and frequency of exchanges between the two countries in numerous areas were unprecedented. Above all, the American diplomat underlined, India and US are “working together to confront the greatest challenges of our age” ie International terrorism.
The Q&A session threw a whole range of tough questions which suggested that the US wasn’t a reliable friend, America’s relations with China & Pakistan will impinge on India’s Defence strategy, Russia was a more dependent partner, the US strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan didn’t serve India’s interests etc. The Panel felt that all countries pursue their national interests and the same was true about India; she is pursuing her relationship with Russia and the US and these were not exclusive of each other. Kanwal Sibal said that the record of the last half century will indicate Russia (earlier Soviet Union) has been ready to help though their technology might be somewhat old and dated, hence more reliable.. He also felt India shouldn’t be tom toming her Strategic relationships with all and sundry as it serves no purpose.
Gurcharan Das felt that with her economy slated to grow at 8% or more, population growth likely to decline to 1.5 % and her demographic dividend, India will be a force to reckon by 2020.

The brainstorming session ended with a Vote of Thanks by the Master of Ceremonies, and the Joint Secretary of the IAFA, Ms. Nehha Bhatnagar.

Indo-American Friendship Association, New Delhi was formally launched at Kamal Mahal ITC Maurya on March 15th.Dr Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs was the Chief Guest.

In his introductory remarks, Amb. Surendra Kumar, Founding President of the Assn, formerly Secretary MEA & Dean, Foreign Service Institute clarified that IAFA was not formed at the behest of the MEA nor was it funded by the Govt of India. It was his personal initiative supported by likeminded individuals who felt strongly that India and the US, the largest and the oldest democracies should have much warmer and far closer relations than they have enjoyed so far .He also dispelled emphatically any suggestion that the Assn might be looking for handouts from the American Embassy; it wasn’t. Turning to the DCM of the American Embassy, Steven white, seated on the dais Amb Kumar stressed that he could vouch for this. Kumar however added that in its endeavours, the Friendship Assn will work constructively and productively with the Govt of India and the American Embassy in Delhi.

Amb. Kumar underlined that IAFA would aspire to be a catalyst for warmer and closer relations between the peoples of India and the US and thus promote, expand, deepen and strengthen friendship between the oldest democracy and the largest democracy. To pursue this simple and laudable objective, it will harness, channelize and make use of huge reservoir of soft power resources available in the two countries. He stressed that IAFA would not duplicate what is already being done by the organisations like FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM & India-US Business Council or Govt. Depts/Agencies in the two countries.

It will provide a platform for academics, scholars, writers, poets thinkers, musicians, dancers, painters, film directors and actors, photographers, theatre and sports personalities, media reps, leading public figures and other opinion makers in the two countries to connect, interact, network, exchange views, co-operate, collaborate with each other to create greater understanding and appreciation of each other’s point of view thus generating goodwill and friendship.

Its endeavours will include organising talks, discussions, brainstorming sessions, seminars, symposiums, art exhibitions, performances by acclaimed artists from different spheres, film screening, book reading, fashion shows, sports meets lectures and conclaves and much more..........

It is a non profit, non-political, non-religious, non-sectarian and non-commercial organisation whose sole objectives is to stress on points of convergence and commonality, points which bind and connect rather than those which divide and antagonise and help enlarge horizon of friendship and understanding between India and the US.

Speaking on the same occasion, Steven J.White, DCM at the American Embassy referred to the unprecedented interaction which, at present, takes place between India and the US at official and non-official levels, especially among academics, scholars, students, scientists and businessmen. While welcoming this initiative Steven white revealed that Amb. Surendra Kumar who had founded a similar Friendship Association in Chicago while serving as India’s Consul General in 2002 has been toying with the idea for more than a year and assured all possible co-operation from his Embassy in Assn’s endeavours.

Delivering his keynote remarks MOS(EA) Dr Tharoor emphasised how multi-dimensional, multi-layered relations between India and the US have been transformed in the last one decade culminating in the signing of the Civil Nuclear Energy Agreement. He also referred to ongoing co-operation in the field of Defence and superior technologies including Space Research. He acknowledged the significance of people to contacts which such Friendship Assns can promote. These expanded contacts can be leveraged and synergised for deepening understanding and appreciation of India-American relations in the globalised world of today, he felt. He also mentioned the significant role played by the Indian Americans many of whom hold key posts in the US Govt, many MNCs and even in NASA and Indian American Community Associations like AAPI. He complimented Surendra Kumar for his initiative and expressed hope that IAFA will succeed in creating a distinct niche for itself by its activities and will have a positive impact on India-US Relations.

The event was also attended among others by Bharatnatyam and Odissi dance Exponent Dr Sonal Mansingh, Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi Dr Ashok Vajpeyi, Director of Gallery of Modern Arts Prof Rajeev Lochan, renowned English poet Keki Daruwalla, former Home Secretary K.Padmanabhaiah, Chairman of INTACH Sk Misra, popular Kathak Dancer Shovana Narayan, Bharatnatyam and Manipuri dancer Sharon Lowen, Sunit Tandon Director Indian Institute of Mass communication,sirajudin Qureshi Chairman of India Islamic culture Centre. Former UN Force Commander in Eritrea & former Dir Gen of Infantry General Rajender Singh, Poonam Muttreja Country Dir of MacArthur Foundation, and Deepak Maheshwari of Microsoft, T Basu of Ernest & Young, Col N.Kumar Chairman Winter Game’s commission & BS Suri of Sports Authority of India were also present.

Christine Matovich Singh, hailing from the family of Dilip Singh Sond of California, the only person of Indian origin to be a Congressman in the US, a well-known American Opera singer who has performed in Slumdog Millionaire enthralled the guests with her full throttled rendition of songs including one sung by Judy Garland in 1930s.Ustad Murad Ali played Sarangi. The launch was co-hosted by ITC Maurya.

India-US Relations- A Global Perspective

Address by Dr. Shashi Tharoor, MOS for External Affairs
New Delhi: 15 March 2010

Our relationship with the United States of America is anchored in a shared vision of the two countries to play a leading role in global affairs. Democracy, shared values of freedom, free enterprise, multi-cultural societies and strong economic and technological complementarities bring the two nations together as natural partners. The significance of India and the US working together in charting a secured and prosperous future for the peoples of the two countries, and for the global community in equal measure, has led to a transformation in our bilateral ties with the US in recent years. The historic India-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement is symbolic of the deep mutual trust and understanding that we share with the U.S. today and the distance the two countries have travelled in a short time in their Strategic Partnership. The agreement, though a bilateral compact, has been of international import. It has transformed the global landscape of cooperation in nuclear energy for peaceful purposes among international partners. Similarly, our cooperation with the US in the field of Space has resulted in path breaking human achievements. The discovery of water molecules and a new rock type on the surface of the Moon, an accomplishment of our Space mission Chandrayaan, in collaboration with the two US instruments on board the Spaceship, is a feat which makes us all proud as inhabitants of this planet.

PM’s State Visit to Washington

3. Our Prime Minister visited Washington in November 2009; on what was the first state visit of President Obama. The visit generated a strong political understanding between the two countries to consolidate and strengthen bilateral ties in the existing and new areas of cooperation. President Obama stated that India-US relationship was “one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century”, and spoke of India being “indispensable” for the building of a future of security and prosperity for all nations. These statements are strong political templates that would guide India-US global partnership in the coming years.

People to People Contacts and India-US Relationship

4. One of the defining features of India-US relations is the strong people to people ties that exist between the two countries. There are approximately 3 million people of Indian origin and Indians living in the US. The number of Americans visiting or working in India has gone up substantially in recent years. Owing to the constant interaction between the two societies, there is far greater understanding and appreciation of each others’ culture, politics and way of life. The earliest Americans to come to India were the traders from Massachusetts who off loaded North American ice on the shore of Madras. The enterprise of Satyananda Stokes, whose given name was Samuel Evan Stokes, an American missionary who arrived in Shimla in1904, introduced apple orchards of American Delicious variety in Himachal Pradesh. His visionary effort soon transformed the economy of the Shimla hills. Today, the stream of American travellers to India are business executives, scientists, innovators, engineers, Congressmen, officials, artists, and sportspersons among others. Every section of American society, from Palo Alto to New York, is engaged with India. Likewise, the movement of people from India to the US is equally varied. The imperatives of a global economic order based on innovation, technology and economies of scale has been a catalyst to this intermingling of the New and the Old “melting pots”.

5. People to people relations have made a unique contribution to this bilateral relationship. Much before our leaders envisioned giving a new beginning to the India-US political relations, a strong engagement between the two societies was already flourishing. The shared multicultural experience underpinning the social fabric in the two countries made it easier for them to comprehend each other. This popular understanding provided the perfect platform for the two democracies to enter into a transformed relationship. The value and contribution of the popular relations between the two countries in the betterment of bilateral ties came to be increasingly recognised since the early nineties, a time when our IT revolutionaries set out to chart a new course for India-US technology and economic partnership; one of the most defining years of India-US non-state relations. Our economic reforms unleashed the potential that India had. The US Government and Strategic thinkers started reaching out to India. Time had come for the two countries to engage on strategic matters. The 123 Agreement was a logical culmination of the process.

6. Indian diaspora in the US has played a critical role in promotion of India-US relations. Indians have increasingly become politically active there and have established platforms to further India-US interests. Organisations of Indian professionals in the US such as those of doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs have made special efforts to lend a helping hand in partnering India’s development.

7. While Indian diaspora is present in every nook and corner of the world, what makes those present in the US standout as a group is their highly qualified nature. Indians along with other Asians have one of the highest educational qualifications of all ethnic groups in the US. According to the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, there are close to 35000 Indian-American doctors in the US. The Indian community in the US is also one of the highest earning segments of the US society. [highest median income of any ethnic group]. The Indian diaspora has made a mark for itself in the US, a contribution well recognised by our American friends.

Friendship Association

8. Friendship associations play an important role in promoting diplomatic relations between countries. They provide a valuable channel to synergise people to people relations for global goodwill, peace and harmony. In a fast paced interconnected world we see increasing role for non-state actors in promoting international relations. There are several India-US friendship groups in the US and India, who are doing commendable work to promote healthy relations between the two countries. The initiative – Indo-American Friendship Association - that we are here to launch today would be a further step in that direction. I wish Indo-American Friendship Association the very best in its endeavours to work for the betterment of Indian–US relations.

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