The US president‘s visit is important from the perspective of furthering bilateral ties, as it is to show the world that India is ready to play a central role well beyond its borders. What are the important areas of collaboration between the two nations and how will it impact India’s interests? (200 Words)
U.S and India are divided by geographical distance but their concerns and aims are parallel. With closer collaborations on number of areas it will be win-win situation for India because India has many things to learn, acquire and ask from US. Some areas are:
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- Nuclear Deal: U.S and Indian officials will discuss ways to unblock billions of dollars of potential trade in nuclear energy. India and the United States signed a landmark civilian nuclear deal in 2008. Holding up the trade is India’s reluctance to pass legislation shielding suppliers from liability in the event of a nuclear accident, a deviation from international norms.
- IPR impasse: Pharmaceutical Lobby in US is strong and constantly pressing Democratic Party to bring India under scanner to respect US patents and not use them in the generic medicines.
- Boosting trade: Right now trade between India and US is in tune of $100billion. It has to be increased to $500billion. Modi and Obama’s last year targeted a five-fold increase in annual trade to $500 billion. But US business leaders have been frustrated by limits on their access to the Indian market, and battles over intellectual property protection. India and the United States have also filed several cases against each other at the World Trade Organisation over protection of their domestic steel, poultry and solar industries.
- Strengthening Look East: U.S is constantly worried economically and diplomatically with the rising of China, Hence she wants to use India’s Location, demographics, economy and diplomacy toward counter balancing the China’s dominance in Asia. With weakening Japan and strengthening India it becomes imperative.
- Fighting Terrorism: India and U.S have this common weak nerve which is taking good amount of money and resource. With US phasing out from Afghanistan, India is more worried about future militant outfits in the region. Both nations can chalk out some plans to tackle terrorism in Indian subcontinent because Afghanistan, Levant and Pakistan are breeding ground for terrorism.
- Climate change and Clean Energy: Climate Change: The United States and India are expected to announce efforts to work together to combat climate change ahead of key global talks in Paris later this year. India, the world’s third largest carbon emitter, is reluctant to follow the United States and China in committing to a peak year for emissions on the grounds it needs economic growth to alleviate poverty. Instead, India is likely to trumpet its plans for a rapid expansion of renewable energy, for which it needs US investment and technology, and improving energy efficiency.
- Ease of FDI: With new government in India, Share market at its peak, Inflation controlled, Industrial production rising. It is the best time, India can look for FDIs. Deep Collaboration between India and US will attract FDI.
- India’s interest to acquire latest drone and surveillance technology
- Defence Deal: India is world’s largest importer of Defence equipment, US has become largest exporter to India surpassing Russia. She wants to hold this position for future trade relations. India is pressing US to transfer some knowledge about the arms that are exported.
- Renewable Energy: India wants companies from the United States to help lead investments of $100 billion in renewable energy.
- Sharing intelligence about critical issues: In the secret world of intelligence, where trust is a commodity best not discussed, the US and India have emerged as very unlikely partners. The US is today the most important supplier of intelligence and information to India, from being a rival until a few years ago, sources across intelligence and security agencies say.
- Relaxed H1-B visas norms for skilled Indian workers. India’s massive information technology and outsourcing industry—which earns billions of dollars sending Indian engineers and programmers to the U.S.—wants America to raise the ceiling on the number of skilled-worker visas it issues every year. Right now the ceiling for H-1B visas is 65,000 per year, a quota that is usually reached in a matter of days. India’s software companies and the many U.S. companies that depend on their services want a higher ceiling.
- Sanctions against Russia: India continues to be at odds with US diplomatic positions, especially with regard to Russia, which it still considers a friendly state. India has refused to back the sanctions imposed against Russia by Western nations in the wake of its abetment of pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine. Meanwhile, US sanctions, coupled with a global crash in crude prices, have dealt a near-death blow to the Russian economy
- Afghanistan-Pakistan Issue: As always, the US Af-Pak policy will be under the spotlight. With the US pullout nearly complete and a new government in Afghanistan, both Pakistan and India are jockeying for strategic depth in Afghanistan. India alleges that Pakistan continues to nurture jihadist elements and terrorists within its borders to destabilise Afghanistan. Some of these non-state terrorist groups have also been used against India, such as the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
Both nations holds hopes on each other in time of global cooperation. India has golden opportunity that at the starting term of Lok-Sabha we have opportunity to collaborate with world powerful economies to deepen ties. If negotiated well and leaving behind internal indifferences on policies, we will reap huge benefits.