Modi strengthens India’s ties with the US
Stressing an alliance of fortifying possibilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has signalled a new dimension in the India-United States bilateral while addressing the joint session of the US Congress. Modi, the fifth Indian Prime Minister to address such a session, recalled the address of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had emphasised overcoming the ‘hesitations of history' in the India-US relationship. But today, as Modi has claimed, India and the US have overcome the ‘hesitations of history' and significantly, ‘comfort, candour and convergence' define the renewed relationship between the two. Though his speech to the US lawmakers combined poetry, humour and rhetoric to outline India's vision for a strategic partnership with the US in the 21st century, yet he conveyed the point that despite having differences in many crucial areas, autonomy in decision-making and diversity in the perspective can only add value to the bilateral ties. This is in fact one of the most important takeaways from his address, as it truly reflects India's openness in accepting the differing perspectives on key global issues, while airing simultaneously the room for independent decision-making without compromising the country's national interests.
Arguably, the main thorn in India-US ties remains Pakistan. Keeping Pakistan in mind, Modi urged for action against all terror groups like the Islamic State, Taliban, lashkar-e-Tayyeba, without distinguishing one from the other. America, being the pioneer of the global war on terror since 9/11, Modi's call for fighting the terrorists with ‘one voice' is in sync with India's incessant struggle to overcome the Pakistan-sponsored jihadi elements for decades now. The history of India's acrimonious relationship with Pakistan veers around primarily over cross-border terrorism. Modi lauded the US Congress for blocking the sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan a country which openly preaches and practices terrorism for political gains. This once again sends a strong reminder to Pakistan not to sponsor anti-Indian elements from its soil. By saying terrorism that is being ‘incubated in India's neighbourhood', Modi has tried to bring forth to the US Congress that terror groups are deep seated and openly grown in Pakistan with the full connivance of its state.
Sensing America's receding alliances with its old partners like the United Kingdom, Israel, Japan and France, Modi's pro-active twist to UPA2’s moribund diplomatic initiatives, has received world-wide recognition and particular attention from the US. A fast growing feeling of proximity and dynamism is reflected between the US and India in a recent survey in which 70 per cent of Indians viewed the US favourably, only eight per cent regarded it unfavourably. Support for India in the US Congress is now as bipartisan as US support for Israel, which was unimaginable in the past. Courting India, so ardently, particularly during the second term of Obama's presidency, demonstrates Modi's leadership skill combined with efforts to fight corruption back home. This new found relationship with India, is also quietly making a rarity in Obama presidency in the true sense of an indisputable foreign policy achievement for the US.