India-US Strategic News and Discussion

Arjun · Post by **Arjun** » 20 Oct 2010 18:06

Hari Seldon wrote:^^ US is paying some $2bn in arms financing for TSPA - this was announced last week.

That alone is excuse enough to downplay if not postpone or cancel the pointless visit, IMVHO.

Even if he comes, there should be a massive demonstration with placards asking him to go home..on account of arming Pakistan and cosying up to terrorists. Should get prominent coverage on the channels....where is the Shiv Sena when they can do something useful for a change?

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 20 Oct 2010 18:52

Hari Seldon wrote:^^ US is paying some $2bn in arms financing for TSPA - this was announced last week.

That alone is excuse enough to downplay if not postpone or cancel the pointless visit, IMVHO.

The US has already armed the Pakistanis to the teeth. This USD 2 Billion will buy arms worth 7 or 8 Billion because of the ridiculous price at which the US Administration is selling to the Pakistanis. The Americans are taking us for a ride in every which way, whether it is withholding crucial terror information from us, or protecting the criminal Pakistani Army, or equipping the Pakistani military to stalemate us, or dangling the carrot of 'strategic partnership' to us even while keeping most of the restrictions and controls on us, or forcing us to compromise on our strategic interests in Afghanistan.

CRamS · Post by **CRamS** » 20 Oct 2010 19:04

Arjun wrote: where is the Shiv Sena when they can do something useful for a change?

Showing off their "bravery", "courage", "nationalism" in fighting the Bihari, North Indian, and South Indian "threat" to Marathi pride in Mumbai. They don't have time for far less important issues as taking on TSPA/ISI/LET or US support to this trio.

Manishw · Post by **Manishw** » 20 Oct 2010 19:05

Philip wrote:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... fears.html

"Whatever he wishes to wear, he can. Our concern is to make sure he does. We don't have problem even if he wears a baseball cap or Muslim skull cap. We are all set to welcome him. It will a great honour. If the visit is cancelled just because of American politics, its will be disheartening," he said.

What a shameless Govt. we have.The Maniniya PM is showing his true colors.We should cancel Obama's trip and issue a demarche instead of grovelling.This PM is leaving no stone unturned to humiliate the Sikhs but also grovel at Ombaba's feet for Hindus.

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 20 Oct 2010 19:15

Obama's boat to India springs leaks
M K Bhadrakumar for Asia Times Online - (Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar was a career diplomat in the Indian Foreign Service. His assignments included the Soviet Union, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kuwait and Turkey.)

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 20 Oct 2010 19:27

shri singh in an interview to the financial times today has fired a shot across the bows of both the US (for quantiative easing) and china (for artificially manipulating the yuan down) ahead of the G20 meeting. his statements seem to be echoed by the Bank of England also - which is a signal that the EU and possible Russia are aligning with India to push the US and China to start behaving more responsibly and keep the rest of the world solvent

hardly the actions of a dhimmi

munna · Post by **munna** » 20 Oct 2010 19:43

I am sure he knows the words of Dasam Pita Guru Gobind Singh ji "Koi Kisi Ko Raj Na Deh Hai, Jo Mile Hai Nij Bal Se Mile Hai". Hope he implements it too.

Translation: Nobody can 'give' power to someone, whatever they get is due to their own strength.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 20 Oct 2010 21:36

SSridhar in TSP Thread wrote:
Rangudu in Headly Thread wrote:Ramana
. . . If a secret Obama visit to TSP is on the cards, maybe there is some deal being negotiated detrimental to Indian interests.
Absolutely. I doubt if the US would go so far as a civilian nuclear deal. They may choose to let the Chinese do that. But, they may offer massive conventional weapons, platforms, early warning systems etc. especially as the Pakistani have demanded that Kerry-Lugar's economic assistance must now be complemented by a suitable military assistance. This is the one of the major points of the current strategic talks.

The Pakistanis have made it absolutely clear that the PA is completely India-centric. They have also repeatedly demonstrated that even if they are destroyed from within, they will not let go of Kashmir. The Americans have not been able to change their mindset. The Americans also believe that a rapprochement between India and Pakistan is essential for their exit and Obama is keen on this. Kashmir for UNSC ideas were therefore floated. The Obama administration has also taken extraordinary care not to push the Pakistanis on the PA nexus with Headley & LeT. The Pakistanis know that for all purposes, the American administration treats Af-Pak as Af-Pak-Ind as originally proposed. So, they are putting pressure on the Americans to milk them maximally. The Americans have long concluded that they can pander to the Pakistanis because India, even if annoyed, has either no leverage or is unwilling to push hard on the Americans.

I was discussing this with Ramanaji offline on this here are the points.

What could India expect from USA???

1. Increased Trade - Obama administration already shot this idea in the foot by raising outsourcing issue and increasing visa fees etc, even though it is USA that is benefiting the most (~60% bottom-line savings Vs Indian ITES's 15% top-line profits) from outsourcing. More over it would be suicidal politically for Obama to do anything over in this area, given the economic climate.

2. Technology Transfer - Obama cannot do this as this is one of the very few comparative advantages USA is left with in the world. Even here Mr. O already made PRC as the major partner as part of G2 plans. Perhaps India will get few satellite-launch contracts amounting to less thant $1B per year, which is peanuts. Even then it is doubtful if OA will remove its sanctions regime on ISRO/DRDO etc.,

3. Multi-lateral Orgs - Such as UNSC seat. Is it USA's to give? Can he do a deal for India only? If he has to bring all 4 candidates (IBGJ) then will PRC accept it? Perhaps he would push the ball into PRC's court and let India deal with PRC on this.

4. Active role in Indian Subcontinent - Will PRC accept another asian rival in this area? Will it fit with USA/PRC G2 plans, definitely not. More over, dismantling of Pakistan is asking US to withdraw from geopolitcal board game which is a no-can-do for OA.

So basically USA cannot do anything. All it wants is India to

a. Buy US weapons systems - which come with many strings and indirectly fund TSP.
b. Give concessions on JK - Which boxes india forever.

What should India do?

Ramanaji suggests that India should focus on its internal objectives. Let US/PRC figure out what they want to do. Lets TSP dig its own grave.

Manishw · Post by **Manishw** » 20 Oct 2010 21:40

RamaY wrote:
So basically USA cannot do anything. All it wants is India to

a. Buy US weapons systems - which come with many strings and indirectly fund TSP.
b. Give concessions on JK - Which boxes india forever.

ADD
[c] Inflict demographic change/social engineering on india.

Great post RamaY Ji.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 20 Oct 2010 21:49

A Question of Appearances: Obama Will Bypass Sikh Temple on Visit to India

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/world ... india.html

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 20 Oct 2010 22:37

http://rothkopf.foreignpolicy.com/posts ... ous_moment

Next, there will be a tension because of another factor. Next month, President Obama will be going to India. Historically, due to India's Cold War ties to the U.S.S.R., the United States embraced Pakistan for strategic reasons. But for even more compelling historical reasons -- from roots in the British Empire to the embrace of democracy to a host of cultural affinities -- India, not Pakistan, is the United States's natural ally in South Asia. India is also a rising major power and an important counterweight to China. Since the late Clinton years, the United States has been turning ever closer to New Delhi and that is a trend the Obama visit will and should continue.

Given India and Pakistan's history of conflict -- accentuated again by the Mumbai-attack focus of the Guardian report -- the United States is about to wrap its gnarliest diplomatic relationship in a fabric of even greater complexities. It is what the United States must do, to be sure. The Obama administration has in fact, thus far handled all this with considerable dexterity (no small feat considering the factors involved and the fact that this is the first time in history that South Asia policy has topped the list of U.S. foreign policy priorities). But one cannot help but wonder if -- given the underlying forces at play -- the biggest challenges we face lie in the future.

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 20 Oct 2010 23:02

shukla wrote:Obama's boat to India springs leaks

India and Indian govt has to deal with one US administration. Internal politics of US is not the concern of India. Any deal with US has to look after the Indian national interest including the national security.

Mumbai attack was done during the previous administration and the new administration was involved in the investigation. Lobby politics inside US is doing a shadow boxing over the Mumbai attack with TSP lobby and China lobby involved in what the US administration is willing to cooperate with India.

This needs to be understood by the Indian elite.

Pulikeshi · Post by **Pulikeshi** » 20 Oct 2010 23:31

Not sure if this was posted here before - Menon @ Carnegie:

India–U.S. Relations on the Eve of President Obama’s Visit

What can we decipher from Sri Menon's message:

1. Give India (paraphrasing: 10 years @ 10% growth to transform itself)

2. US and China can be left alone to play their economic game of "Who is chicken?"

3. Stable Afghanistan is in India and US interest

4. Coopetition is the nature of the game - means India needs flexibility in all organizations

Some salient comments to the message above:

1. US and China are Asian powers - means there is no desire to see India become
a regional power. Therefore, Pakistan's Mughal camp will be paid tribute for the
foreseeable future.

2. J&K is really a non-issue. The US would be ill-advised to step into that...

3. US has no leverage on India. Selling weapons, allows the US to make money,
create jobs and establish more leverage on India.

4. As Ramana pointed out elsewhere, the Nuclear deal and the liability law keeps
both countries in check

5. There needs to be more cooperation between US and India in Vietnam, Malaysia,
Indonesia, etc. Similarly with Iran and the other -stans in Central Asia.

6. The above would mean, India needs to have the ability to project Naval power all
the way into the edge of the Pacific via the South China Sea and all the way into
the edge of the Atlantic via the Mediterranean.

7. Finally, notice I have not said anything about Pakistan per se.
An India that desired a stable Pakistan, has only see an unstable Pakistan bent on
creating instability in India.
An India that desires (if that ever happens) an end to Pakistan, will see a stable region.

Just my two paisa as always...

hnair · Post by **hnair** » 21 Oct 2010 04:09

Obama to bypass Pakistan on Asia trip next month

WASHINGTON (AFP) – President Barack Obama will bypass Pakistan when he visits India and east Asia next month, in the latest twist in America's tempestuous relationship with its vital ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda.

But the White House said the president had committed to visiting Pakistan in 2011 and added that he looked forward to welcoming Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to Washington, though it did not specify exact dates.

Despite some humour at paki H&D's expense, this is going to be difficult for India. Watch out for "non-state" actions. This is going to be a test of US intentions in reigning in pakis too.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 21 Oct 2010 05:52

US hi-tech sanctions against India to go

http://www.hindustantimes.com/United-St ... 15605.aspx

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 21 Oct 2010 05:54

Obama has economy task cut out for India

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Obama-has ... 15640.aspx

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 21 Oct 2010 06:27

What?? India gets weapons -We want weapons too.. India gets a civilian nuclear deal - We want one too. Obama visits India - We want him to visit Pakistan too.. Ok so we'll give you beggars whatever we give India..

Obama to visit Pakistan in 2011: White House
TOI reports..

US President Barack Obama will not visit Pakistan during his trip to Asia next month, but he is committed to a trip there in 2011, as well as welcoming Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to Washington, the White House said on Wednesday. Obama is traveling to India, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan next month.

Managing the complex US relationship with Pakistan, including Islamabad's role in the U.S.-led Afghanistan war, is one of Washington's most difficult foreign policy challenges. Despite a commitment of $7.5 billion in US aid over five years and substantial U.S. aid after Pakistan's devastating floods, Pakistanis remain skeptical of U.S. intentions.

Some commentators had said it would be an insult if Obama failed to visit Pakistan while touring the country's arch-rival and neighbor, India

So this year he'll make India happy on his Indian Safari, say the right stuff.. and go to Pakistan next year and deny everything he said.. Yawnsies..

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 21 Oct 2010 07:35

On the table: mega deals in defence and railways

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/On-th ... ays/700502

An American company is set to bag a Rs 30,000-crore project to build locomotives for the Indian Railways, a much-delayed mega-deal that is likely to be catalysed by the visit of President Barack Obama next month. The Obama visit is also expected to see the signing of the largest ever defence agreement between India and the US.

Vivek Raghuvanshi · Post by **Vivek Raghuvanshi** » 21 Oct 2010 08:28

For India to counter Sino-Paki nexus we need US and Israel as Allies.

In the race for economic supremacy of Nations, India has to decide to shed its ego and stop getting jealous of US Foreign Policy towards China and Pakistan.

Should we not work on India - US Foreign Policy, where we focus on only what India and US can do together.

Regards

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 21 Oct 2010 09:00

Vivek Raghuvanshi wrote:F

Should we not work on India - US Foreign Policy, where we focus on only what India and US can do together.

Lot of this policy thing towards India is defined by the Pak lobby in DC and also the PRC lobby in DC. That is the real issue to tackle here.
Sino-Paki nexus was developed in DC by their lobbies.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 21 Oct 2010 09:22

Vivek Raghuvanshi wrote:For India to counter Sino-Paki nexus we need US and Israel as Allies.

In the race for economic supremacy of Nations, India has to decide to shed its ego and stop getting jealous of US Foreign Policy towards China and Pakistan.

Should we not work on India - US Foreign Policy, where we focus on only what India and US can do together.

Regards

can India think about it's national interests in the process or is that too an immature policy?

What should be Indian policy vis-a-vis USA if it results in $1 profit and $3 indirect loss?

Looking at Indo-US relationship without taking US-PRC and US-TSP equation into consideration will result in net loss to India.

darshan · Post by **darshan** » 21 Oct 2010 09:25

I do not understand it. India allows various work to go to chinese on regular basis but goes to an american company for railways while chinese or germans could have been better choice?

Vivek Raghuvanshi · Post by **Vivek Raghuvanshi** » 21 Oct 2010 09:28

I understand your apprehensions. Who said India cannot lobby ie Liaison.

My small contribution:

I was responsible for Back Door Diplomacy between United States and India to bring India and US closer together as Allies. Liaison with Research & Analysis Wing and Intelligence Bureau and Military Intelligence.

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 21 Oct 2010 09:35

Vivek Raghuvanshi wrote:I understand your apprehensions. Who said India cannot lobby ie Liaison.

India lobby is weak and is over shadowed by Pak lobby and the gaint PRC Panda lobby right inside universities, walmart, news media, wall st, investment etc.

Vivek Raghuvanshi · Post by **Vivek Raghuvanshi** » 21 Oct 2010 09:54

India does not want to lobby.They do not have the right people at the right places.

The Indian politicians forget that are there to serve India and not rule and the Indian bureaucrats have such giant egos and arrogance

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 21 Oct 2010 09:57

Vivek Raghuvanshi wrote:India does not want to lobby.They do not have the right people at the right places.

The Indian politicians forget that are there to serve India and not rule and the Indian bureaucrats have such giant egos and arrogance

There is no national interest lobby inside India itself! National security lobby and national interest lobby needs to be encouraged and they should have their team in DC. There is no time for the ego and other wastes.

Thomas Kolarek · Post by **Thomas Kolarek** » 21 Oct 2010 09:58

so the Messiah comes for 5 day tour - itinerary will go like this
**Nov 2010**
1st day - we are natural partners, democracy blah blah
2nd day - Messiah meets puppet, praise puppet that whole world listens when you sneeze, etc., and then praise Ma'm as a stronger women to empower nation, ask Pak to dismantle terror networks
3rd day - Get down to business, push US interests, and advise India to reopen dialogue with TSP, obey assertive China.,etc.,
4th day - Address Parliament, sign autographs for jumping MP's, address CII to invest in US, dance with milk wala women
5th day - Tour Taj Mahali or Gold temple pose for photos, buy few items and fly back claiming visit was a strategic success.
**Some day in 2011 **
Visit Pak, claim Pak as a natural partner against terror, award few billions, warn India to free J&K people and fly back
**some day in 2012 **
Settle down in Chicago after losing election.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 21 Oct 2010 09:59

^^^

merlin · Post by **merlin** » 21 Oct 2010 10:52

What India must expect from Obama's visit

Vivek Raghuvanshi · Post by **Vivek Raghuvanshi** » 21 Oct 2010 11:07

Think-tank calls for “bold leap forward” in Indo-U.S. relations

http://www.thehindu.com/news/internatio ... 841368.ece

On the eve of United States President Barack Obama’s visit to India an influential Washington think-tank has called for “a bold leap forward” in the India-U.S. relationship, arguing in particular for the U.S. to establish a vision for what it sought in the relationship and to give concrete meaning to the phrase “strategic partnership.”

The report by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) entitled Natural Allies: A Blueprint for the Future of U.S.-India Relations argued that a growing closeness between India and the U.S. was important because although neither sought the containment of China, “the likelihood of a peaceful Chinese rise increases if it ascends in a region where the great democratic powers are also strong.”

Reflecting a “non-partisan” effort the report’s principal authors were former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and former Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns, both guided by CNAS Senior Fellow Richard Fontaine.

In particular, the report focused attention upon counterterrorism and defence cooperation, calling for enhanced cooperation in both areas between the two countries. With regard to defence cooperation at a military-to-military level the CNAS report acknowledged shortcomings in progress to date owing to bureaucratic inertia in both countries.

According to the report’s authors Indian leaders believed that the U.S. export control system hindered India’s acquisition of U.S. high-tech defence products and thus the U.S. ought to “modify its export-control measures… permitting increased exports of defence-related technology and goods to India.”

The authors went further into specific detail on this count, emphasising that the U.S. ought to remove the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) subsidiaries from the Entity List, “as the Indian government draws clearer lines between its civil space and civil nuclear activities on the one hand, and its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons activities on the other.”

Touching upon one of the issues that India has repeatedly stressed at international forums, the Natural Allies report urged the U.S. to support India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. It argued, “The U.S. should commit, publicly and explicitly, to work with India in support of its permanent membership in an enlarged UNSC.”

However the report acknowledged that an India-U.S. partnership at the UNSC may take time to develop, and “India and U.S. votes in the U.N. General Assembly last year matched just 30 per cent of the time.”

The CNAS volume also did not shy away from highlighting a few other dimensions of the India-U.S. relationship that were not yet settled, including the two countries’ divergent views on how to approach the Iran question, and also the impasse that had been reached on the bilateral civil nuclear agreement after the passage of the nuclear liability bill by the Indian Parliament.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 21 Oct 2010 11:53

A roadmap for revitalizing the U.S. partnership with India

http://shadow.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2 ... with_india

How should the United States act to advance these interests with India?

"In order to chart a more ambitious U.S.-India strategic partnership, we believe that the United States should commit, publicly and explicitly, to work with India in support of its permanent membership in an enlarged U.N. Security Council; seek a broad expansion of bilateral trade and investment, beginning with a Bilateral Investment Treaty; greatly expand the security relationship and boost defense trade; support Indian membership in key export control organizations, a step toward integrating India into global nonproliferation efforts; and liberalize U.S. export controls, including the removal of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) subsidiaries from the U.S. Entity List."

India has an equal responsibility to help move the relationship to a higher level, including by

"taking rapid action to fully implement the Civil Nuclear Agreement; raising its caps on foreign investment; reducing barriers to defense and other forms of trade; enhancing its rules for protecting patents and other intellectual property; further harmonizing its export control lists with multilateral regimes; and seeking closer cooperation with the United States and like-minded partners in international organizations, including the United Nations."

Christopher Sidor · Post by **Christopher Sidor** » 21 Oct 2010 13:43

....
further harmonizing its export control lists with multilateral regimes; and seeking closer cooperation with the United States and like-minded partners in international organizations, including the United Nations."

What this is implying is align Indian Foreign Policy with American Foreign Policy. So if America sees Iran as a threat, than India also should. If America does not want, then India should stop hosting Iranians navy and help US Navy is checking PLA Navy, etc.

All this talk about "new heights" or new paradigm in Indo-US relationship is nothing but a cover for making India toe the American line or to use India to further American interests. We have a beneficial and good economic relationship with US. As one of my friends commented, we have a good money making relationship with America. But it is unlikely that ours and America's interest are aligned in the geo-political space.

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 21 Oct 2010 15:23

atlantic poodle: check (UK)
pacific poodle: check (Aus)
arctic poodle: dont need
indian ocean poodle: pending...

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 21 Oct 2010 15:55

Who said that MMS is a "poodle"? He ain't.He is well named , America's "lion"..,oops! Sorry...."pussycat"!

CRamS · Post by **CRamS** » 21 Oct 2010 16:53

Christopher Sidor wrote: We have a beneficial and good economic relationship with US. As one of my friends commented, we have a good money making relationship with America. But it is unlikely that ours and America's interest are aligned in the geo-political space.

Isn't there an adadge that says "politics is the last resort of a scoundrel", I would paraphrase it to say "nationalism is the last the last resort of a scoundrel", at least in the Indian context. And to be fair, I guess its universal. Reason I say this is because, India's middle class & higher are doing quite well, and they know it is on US's back that they are riding. So when anyone talks to them about national interests besides making money, or standing up to US & TSP, they have very little time to listen to that, and of course dismiss it as empty hot air. Add the media propaganda machine, and the ignorance & brainwashing is complete. In fairness, Indians are not unique, even Chinese are the same way, but somehow, to the man on the street Chinese won't let anyone trample with their security; they have achieved their economic prowess with their nationalism and military strength intact.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 21 Oct 2010 16:58

CRamS wrote: Reason I say this is because, India's middle class & higher are doing quite well, and they know it is on US's back that they are riding.

It is possible but we need more solid quantitative evidence for it. Exports form only a small part of India's GDP.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 21 Oct 2010 17:00

^ For example, after US sanctions in 1998, there was a small drop in growth rate. The world did not end.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 21 Oct 2010 17:27

India's economy survived the global eco-crisis because of its own market of a billion+ and the local industry which caters to the needs of most Indians.Our midddle class is hardworking,not sitting on their asses like some in the west.While we have seized opportunities offered to us from the west (IT industry),we are not totally beholden to it either.Our stockmarket had the worst ever fall in value of any in the world,46%,when foreign investors all pulled out their cash! They are doing the same-investing right now because our economy is running well.They will inevitably "book profits" later.The average India's predeliction to save a decent part of his/her income is another major reason,as a Chinese expert recently said,"the Chinese use today's savings to spend tomorrow,while Americans use tomorrow's savings to spend today"!

What is Obama coming for on his visit to India? He wants billions upon billions of orders for defence items,for which he still has in place sanctions aginst Indian scientific labs and institutions;he cannot control Paki terror against India yet is waiting to gift them billions more to the billions already dumped into that cesspool,for which the Pakis use US arms to wage war again and again against India;he cannot guarantee us a UNSC seat-as if it is all that splendid given the UN's impotence,neither is he willing to entertain India's deep concern about Pak's plan to take over Afghanistan once the US retreats using its proxy the Taliban and it has already admitted that it has begun talks with the second-in-command of the Taliban there! As for the N-deal,he wants us to drop all our genuine concerns about liability,despite the US's track record-Bhopal,for which the principal criminal responsible is safely ensconced in the US which refuses to extradite him!

Frankly,who needs this visit from such a "Mess-iah",who is merely a mediocre man.Perhaps "birds of a feather flock together" and this is a sorely required meeting between the two mediocrities.

Thomas Kolarek · Post by **Thomas Kolarek** » 21 Oct 2010 20:46

Known enemies like TSP or Chinkies are far more better than the shadow enemy of O'bamaa country.
Am worried if they will give the thrown to the fool prince in awaiting. If God indeed comes, we should ask for an Political class which can take India fwd with out any proxies or poodles.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 22 Oct 2010 00:09

Tribune reports:

‘Can’t sign binding down military pacts with US’
Ajay Banerjee/TNS

New Delhi, October 20

Just two weeks ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit, New Delhi has visibly firmed up its stance and said that it sees no use in signing any “binding down” military agreements. Top sources in the Ministry of Defence said New Delhi was studying what Washington calls the “foundation” for transferring high-tech communications equipment. India is buying or is in the process of buying several US-made platforms, including medium lift and heavy lift military transport planes, long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft and VVIP business jets. Users of planes -- the Indian Air force and Navy -- have made told the MoD that these agreements serve little purpose and were “binding down” rather than being “enablers”.

Defence Ministry sources today confirmed: “…We do not want to be tied down with one type of technology… India is not keen on the agreements.” Still, technical persons are studying the benefits of these. The two agreements are Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement For Geospatial Cooperation.

The US says these were technology enablers and would make military platforms technically “more potent”. Last Friday, Air Chief Air Marshal PV Naik had, in a reply to a question on the benefits or drawbacks of not signing these agreements, said “…it will not make any substantial difference to our operational capabilities”.

However, the US claims that the communications interoperability and security agreement will enable interoperability between air forces of both countries. Senior functionaries see this as a needless “prop” and India sees no benefit in the IAF being interoperable with the US.