Obama shifts focus to tradeoffs from trade
With Barack Obama’s arrival here from Mumbai, the focus would have shifted from trade to potential tradeoffs across a wide swathe of issues that will be germane to the fledgling strategic partnership between India and the US.
Both sides will have a laundry list of issues to address, ranging from bilateral issues such as counter-terrorism, market access, export controls and nuclear cooperation, to regional and global issues such as Afghanistan, climate change and clean energy.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr Obama will attempt to narrow the gaps in perception on as many issues as would be possible and to agree to tradeoffs on a few.
Specific announcements on issues such as counter-terrorism, regional security and clean energy can be expected to be announced after Monday’s talks between the two leaders.
Both leaders would have gone into the delegation-level talks after they had had a private meeting over dinner Sunday night.
The one-on-one conversation between them will serve to give clarity and direction to their respective officials to craft a joint response to the issues at hand.
The Indian side would be particularly keen to hear from Mr Obama about how the US plans to play the end game in Afghanistan and also on the situation in Pakistan.
Earlier in the day, addressing young people in Mumbai, Mr Obama urged India to dialogue with Pakistan to resolve their differences. He also hoped Pakistan would do more to address extremism.
While South Block would not be unduly perturbed by his remarks, Pakistan’s attitude towards India continues to escape notice in the US.
Ironically, Mr Obama’s remarks in Mumbai coincided with Pakistan’s refusal to even as much as endorse an Indian suggestion to do away with the aggressive posturing and boot-stomping during the traditional flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah border.
Mr Obama has appreciated India’s efforts to rebuild Afghanistan saying that “there are lessons that India has to show to not just countries like Afghanistan but countries in sub-Saharan Africa.”
The joint statement to be issued towards the end of the Singh-Obama talks is expected to spell out joint development projects that could be undertaken in Afghanistan.
An announcement is also expected on the pacts in areas such as agriculture, health and education.
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