Ahead of the US President's two-day visit to India, former Union Minister and Congress leader Anand Sharma on Sunday maintained that the high-profile interaction is unlikely to achieve any major breakthrough in the bilateral agreements.
Sharma, however, went on to say that the visit was important in relation to the fact that the US was a major power, but that is all, Sharma said.
"So far I do not have any positive indication of any major outcome. It will be a continuation of defence and security cooperation, and a reaffirmation of our cooperation in space and nuclear sciences. It is ongoing and it will not be a new thing," Sharma told news agency PTI.
SM Krishna, who was external affairs minister during the UPA and is now in the BJP, felt though Trump's visit comes in the US presidential election year and a sizeable Indian expatriate population will vote, but "it should not be looked at from the narrow prism of US President's election".
"It needs to be looked at a larger perspective as to what is happening in the region," he told the news agency.
Krishna said China will be closely monitoring the visit and the nature of talks that take place."It is a very important visit. The US and India have a very close and fruitful relationship especially after the Nuclear Accord. We have moved strategically close to each other and it is important for us to nourish and maintain the relationship further," he said.
Sharma said the Trump visit should also not be seen as an attempt to balance the rise of China.
"China is five times bigger than us. India is in no position to balance. The US has its own equations with China (which) one should not forget. They make noises but they reach agreements quickly. They have a trade agreement. Let us wait," the Congress leader said. eom