President
George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh
shake on a controversial India-U.S. nuclear energy deal in 2005.
India
is hoping President Obama will take a page out of Bush's book
and be
more
accommodating than he has been so far.
The Tribune, India
Like George Bush,
Obama Must Keep India on Side
"The
Obama Administration has been less forthcoming in its support of Indian
aspirations than the Bush Administration … As two great democracies, India and
America share many common values that strengthen their relationship. Despite
this, however, President Obama has been looking to China."
The Center for a New American
Security, a U.S. think tank, has rightly
said that relations between India and the U.S. need a fresh infusion of vitality.
The Obama Administration has been less forthcoming in its support of Indian
aspirations than the Bush Administration, which gave India its rightful place
in the emerging global order. He realized that the United States would be unable
to play the role it does on the global stage, particularly in Asia, without
India’s active cooperation. Bush agreed to enter into a civilian
nuclear deal with India by acknowledging New Delhi's unblemished record as
a nuclear weapons state - and one that had contributed immensely to the cause
of nuclear non-proliferation, despite it not being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation
Treaty.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
As two great democracies,
India and America share many common values that strengthen their relationship.
Despite this, however, since President Obama's term began, he has been looking
to China. The U.S. administration is also unnecessarily worried about the
provisions of the Nuclear
Liability Bill, passed by Parliament with an eye toward activating the
Indo-U.S. nuclear deal. Mr. Obama shouldn't overlook the fact that in a
democracy, no law can be enacted without listening to the concerns of the
people. India is not acting unjustly by passing a law that in case of nuclear
disaster, assigns responsibility to the suppliers of its nuclear reactors and
equipment [ie.: mostly American companies].
President Obama’s talk of
denying tax benefits to American firms who outsource jobs also reflects his
negative approach to India. American IT firms and other companies have been
outsourcing their jobs because it suits them economically, not because they're
doing a favor to India. If this has benefited India, it's because of the skills
acquired by Indians who are satisfied with far less pay than demanded by U.S.
professionals. These facts must be made clear to President Obama during his
upcoming visit to New Delhi.
Aside from issues of commerce
and economics, the thing that would most elevate Indo-U.S. relations is support
for India’s bid to be a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. Let us
hope that the American President utilizes the opportunity of his visit to make
such a commitment.
