U.S. and India: Democracies of the Future

By: Jaya Spier

India has not ranked as a top priority with the new American administration in the month since Barack Obama became the forty-fourth President of the United States. However, Obama has inherited a positive relationship with this flourishing democracy. And now with the current situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan, India comes to play an important part as their interests do rest upon President Obama’s decisions.

In September of 2008 George W. Bush signed the nuclear deal that ended a thirty-year ban on nuclear trade between India and the United States. “The deal will give India access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel in return for inspections of its civilian, but not military, nuclear facilities.” (BBC.com)

This progress between India and the United States was a big step for the coming years. Obama has inherited this good relationship. However, if he is not careful with America’s economic policy he may damage this progress. India’s textile industry has taken a big hit with the economic crisis. Much of the clothing sold in the United States is made in India. With American people less willing to spend, there is a smaller demand for goods, resulting in a loss of jobs and production in India. 

The downward spiral occurring in the textiles industry, plus Obama’s protectionist attitude that has infiltrated his newly proposed stimulus bill does not bode well for Indo-American relations. Plus, with the United States paying attention in Pakistan and willing to aid them with the Kashmir issue in exchange for help in Afghanistan, India needs to proceed with caution. Luckily all is not lost, since Hillary Clinton is the new Secretary of State and the Clintons have had very friendly ties with India since Bill Clinton’s presidency. Perhaps Obama will be able to achieve his goals with Pakistan and Afghanistan without completely offending the Indian government. However, there have been rumors that the Clintons relationship with India will cause Hillary to lean in an Indian direction. As Secretary of State, Mrs. Clinton will have to be careful and maintain a balance of friendship and objective action.

With Richard Holbrooke as the new envoy to South Asia and Afghanistan, Obama has sent the message that cooperation is key. During his visit to Pakistan this month, Holbrooke stressed that Islamic militant groups are a common threat for the United States, Pakistan and India. The FBI was heavily involved in investigations after the Mumbai attacks in November of last year. Working together is the next step for these three countries. It is also time for this new focus to forge clearer and stronger ties between the two democratic giants; India because of its large population and the United States because of its superpower status.