A new turn in Indo-US relationship

THIS was  for the first time that a US President visited India twice  during  his incumbency and two summits were held between the  heads of government  in four months  of each other. These 'firsts'  coupled with another maiden gesture of  having  US President  as the chief guest at the Indian Republic Day celebrations clearly underlined the  current level of importance Washington and New Delhi attach to  their relationship.

What transpired from the second summit between Obama and Modi  transcended  beyond symbolism, what with the latter's glamorous trip to Washington earlier on and their chemistry gelling. The present outcome has been a concrete follow-up on the commitments made in the first  summit. In order to  take Indo-US strategic partnership to the next higher stage  a robust political will has  come into play to  move forward in terms of cooperation in economic, defence, nuclear energy and climate change spheres.

Both the leaders have come to realize that their values, interests and needs are converging, even mutually complementary. America has the biggest Indian Diasprora who are making the host as well as  their country of origin stronger. Job creation in the USA is dependent on expansion  of trade. Little wonder, Washington and New Delhi aim to increase their trade five-fold to US$500billion.

Both the countries are wedded to democratic values  and fighting terrorism. In Obama's words, ”the world will be safer, more just place, when two democracies—the largest and oldest—stand together.” With Saarc in perspective, we would like the approach to be inclusive.   

We welcome the outcome of Obama's visit to India and hope that it will augur well for the region.