Daily Times

The growing bilateral ties between India and the United States were keenly observed by critics in the light of the recent visit of American secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defence secretary Jim Mattis. The warm welcome by New Delhi and the series of agreements between Washington and New Delhi show in fact the American commitment to further enhance warm, cordial and long lasting relations with India.

Before his three day visit to India Mike Pompeo also visited Pakistan and was received by one of the senior officials from the Ministry of foreign affairs. His visit to Pakistan gives an impression that the American administration is also concerned about the future of US-Pakistan relations as well, especially after the new regime in Pakistan. On the other hand, Washington is also very concerned about Islamabad’s possible future relations with Kabul and New Delhi.

Before the recent visit of the American high officials to Pakistan, two very important foreign dignitaries, Saudi foreign minister, in fact a very close American ally and an Iranian Information Minister (perhaps America’s worst enemy) also visited Pakistan. So after these visits from the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, the American Foreign Minister’s visit was considered very important for Pakistan. After the departure of American dignitaries, the Pakistani Foreign Minister claimed that the deadlock between Pakistan and the US had now come to an end, and a new era of relations will start very soon. After the official visit to Pakistan, the American high officials visited India where they were warmly welcomed by Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj herself and accompanied by the Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sita Ram. New Delhi’s warm welcome shows how much importance they have given to the American dignitaries visiting India. On this important occasion the new diplomatic term, the ‘Two Plus Two Meeting’ was derived which in fact led to several new defence pacts between the two states.

Due to these new defense pacts, now India is in a position to get access to advance US military technology and especially modern drone technology as well. Defence analysts consider these pacts a great success of Indian Foreign Policy. No doubt due to the superiority of modern warfare technology the US is still considered to be a superpower. This agreement between India and the United States was called ‘Communication, compatibility and security agreement’.

Defence analysts also carefully observed these agreements in the light of growing conventional and nonconventional military ties between China and Russia. In the recent past, Russia had successfully conducted joint military exercises in VOSTOK. In which Chinese troops also participated. On this important occasion Chinese president was also present to participate in the economic conference which was also hosted by Russia.

The recent past defence agreements between India and United States shows probably the possible future role of India to contain the growing Chinese regional and global influence. The US Secretary of State declared these agreements based on true long lasting friendships between India and United States. The Indian foreign minister declared that due to these defence pacts now Indian defence capabilities will also be increased.

The critics are giving great importance and significance to India’s access to modern American drones which in fact have already proved their capability on Pak-Afghan border, and which in fact were used to kill top leadership of various militant and extremists groups.

Defence analysts also carefully observed these agreements in the light of growing conventional and nonconventional military ties between China and Russia. In the recent past, Russia had successfully conducted joint military exercises in VOSTOK. In which Chinese troops also participated. On this important occasion the Chinese president was also present to participate in the economic conference which was also hosted by Russia

Although defence analysts are giving great importance to these recent developments between Washington and New Delhi, but actually at the same time it reminds us of the already cordial historic defence ties between Russia and India. As India is still using 70 percent of Russian military equipment and in the last few years India has bought 62 percent of Russian weapons. On the other hand, New Delhi is also very keen to buy the latest defense system from Moscow as well. Keeping in view the historic ties between Moscow and New Delhi, critics are not expecting a major shift in the Indian foreign policy.

For balancing its relations with superpowers the Indian prime minister visited China and his one on one meeting with the Chinese President was very important as well, as both leaders discussed regional and international matters.

No doubt, while maintaining its relations with United States, New Delhi sometimes has faced very odd situations as well, especially in buying military equipment from Russia, and purchasing Iranian oil and then even maintaining bilateral ties with China.

Even in critical situations, India was very successful in balancing its relations with Moscow, Beijing and Washington at the same time. Even in the era of  ‘Nehru’s policy of neutrality’, India was successful in getting military aid from both Russia and United States.

In the recent joint statement by the US, it once again assured that it will continue to support India in the civil nuclear suppliers group and will also continue to extend its co-operation in FATF. It is also notable that for the last few years trade volume has increased between India and the US. In 2016, the trade volume dramatically increased to 100 million dollars which was upto 5 million dollar 20 years ago.

After visiting India, James Mattis arrived at Kabul on an unannounced visit. During his visit to the American Secretary of Defence, further clarified the US’ foreign policy in South Asia and Afghanistan which was in fact already announced by president Trump in August, 2017.

Keeping in view the latest regional and global developments now it’s time for Pakistan to seriously review its foreign policy choices. Now it is the right time for both India and pakistan to initiate a ‘dialogue process’ and discuss all the outstanding issues including the core issue of Kashmir as well which is infact a nuclear flash point in South Asia. No Doubt only India and Pakistan can change the future discourse of South Asia.

The writer is a professor at FC.

Published in Daily Times, November 17^th 2018.