Obama not to discuss Kashmir
When it is Barack Obama, what he does not say will be equally important. So it will be when he comes visiting.
In order to get the optics right, Indian and American officials have been briefing the media, here and in Washington, about what to expect from Obama’s visit. But from New Delhi’s perspective, what Mr Obama will not choose to say about issues such as Kashmir, protectionism and outsourcing, non-proliferation, the Af-Pak situation or China, will be just as significant as what he does say about them.
China’s assertiveness will likely be an active topic of discussion but Mr Obama is still seen in many quarters here as being soft on China. A senior US government official concedes that New Delhi and Washington do not have identical perspectives on China but there is a recognition that India has a role to play in east Asia.
On outsourcing, the Indian industry will be looking to hear about no further curbs just as it would not want him to impose new protectionism against India.
Similarly, although India shares Mr Obama’s vision of disarmament, it has reservations about taking on onerous non-proliferation commitments such as becoming a party to the CTBT without an express linkage to disarmament.
The issues of proposed withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan coupled with the ongoing efforts at making contacts with the Taliban to end the insurgency, and the US military and financial aid to Pakistan are of immediate concern to India. However, the US official insists that Pakistan needs the aid in order for it to be able to have the capabilities to fight the terrorist syndicates. The US official’s description of the UNSC reform as a “complicated issue” indicates that an explicit endorsement of India’s candidacy for a permanent UNSC seat may not be forthcoming.
Post new comment