If there is one thing President Barack Obama has accomplished during his three-day visit, it was to convince a sceptical elite that the United States under his leadership is as committed to the strategic partnership with India as it was under George W. Bush. At the heart of the Bush doctrine was the recognition of India as a unique power in Asia, one whose economic and strategic potential could be leveraged to help Washington negotiate its way through the uncertainties of the next few decades. With the world financial crisis giving China a new salience and the disastrous war in Afghanistan requiring urgent attention, New Delhi slipped off Washington’s radar screen during the Obama presidency. That at any rate was the perception. However, the poor shape of the American economy, the continuing threat posed by Pakistan-based terrorists, and the return of tension in the U.S.-China relationship appear to have dealt India back into the game. In the run up to the presidential visit, Mr. Obama's advisers did all they could to reassure the Manmohan Singh government that Washington's continuing commitment to the partnership could not be doubted.
The support Mr. Obama announced for a permanent Indian seat on a reformed United Nations Security Council, if and when that happens, holds out the prospect for a reordering of world power even more significant than the Bush promise of resuming nuclear commerce with India. Of course, no time frame has been mentioned, and there is no formal commitment to move the process forward. Yet a door has been opened which skilful Indian diplomacy can use to further the country’s long-term interest. Mr. Obama also offered his Indian hosts satisfaction on the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and pointedly refused to get drawn into any controversy over Kashmir. Some economic issues such as protectionist sentiment over outsourcing were soft-pedalled. On the strategic side there are two broad areas of concern which the visit has highlighted. The U.S. seems excessively preoccupied with developments in East Asia, perhaps because tension between China and some of its neighbours has risen in recent months. China’s continuing rise should not pose any real problem for India and it would be extremely unwise for the country to dovetail its wider goals with the imperatives of American ‘leadership’ in Asia. Secondly, Mr. Obama dropped a broad hint that his endorsement of a permanent seat was conditional on India conducting itself ‘responsibly’ as a non-permanent member of the Security Council over the next two years. New Delhi must guard against pressure of this kind. Vital questions of war and peace concerning the region and the world are likely to come up before the UNSC. Under no circumstances must India allow itself to be swayed by threats and blandishments.
