In an upbeat projection of the India growth story and US-India relations under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stewardship, a senior Obama administration official has said that a resurgent India is holding out positive signals for the whole of South Asia. “If there is one overarching positive trend that is driving the energy and optimism across South Asia, it is the resurgence of India — as evidenced by their vibrant election last year,” Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Desai Biswal told a Congressional hearing.
As far as US-India relations are concerned, Biswal commented: “less than one year after the election of Prime Minister Modi, our relations with India are stronger than ever.” Testifying on “US Rebalance in South Asia”, Biswal said President Barack Obama’s visit in January to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations went beyond symbolism and led to concrete outcomes in several key areas.
Pointing to advances in strategic partnership, deepening of security cooperation, revitalising economic partnership and progress on clean energy and environmental goals, Biswal made a specific reference to the forward movement on implementing civil nuclear cooperation by removing hurdles that American companies faced. She also highlighted the agreement reached on renewing the US-India Defence Framework Agreement and continuing progress with the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).
Following the Obama visit, Biswal said six initiatives have been agreed upon. These include four co-development pathfinder projects and two working groups to explore aircraft carrier technology sharing and design, and cooperation on jet engine technology. The two sides have also decided to upgrade the Malabar naval exercise to improve maritime security in the Indian Ocean.
Biswal told lawmakers that the two countries have also agreed to elevate their commercial and economic partnership as part of the Strategic and Commercial Dialogue. In line with this push, discussions have resumed on a Bilateral Investment Treaty that could benefit both countries and with necessary protections to US companies.
She also informed that the US and India will continue to work together on their ambitious energy and environment goals by renewing and expanding a five-year MOU on Energy Security, Clean Energy, and Climate Change. Biswal said both countries will be collaborating for a successful climate agreement in Paris and will work towards the goal of phasing down hydrofluorocarbons under the Montreal Protocol.