India-US Relations : News and Discussion- II

[sivab]

^^^

http://amendments-rules.house.gov/amend ... 232423.pdf

Text of the amendment that was adopted and passed as part of NDAA 2017 bill.

[NRao]

Data point.

China's Worst Nightmare: Is a U.S.- India Military Alliance Brewing?

On May 16, American and Indian officials met for a “maritime security dialogue” in New Delhi. “The dialogue covered issues of mutual interest, including exchange of perspectives on maritime security development in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region as well as prospects for further strengthening cooperation between India and the United States in this regard,” stated an Indian Ministry of External Affairs press release.

In an April profile in The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg wrote that U.S. Pres. Barack Obama “privately questions why Pakistan, which he believes is a disastrously dysfunctional country, should be considered an ally of the U.S. at all.”

#NoChoice

[NRao]

New times, new ties: India-US defence bill will be closely watched by Pakistan and China

It's now beyond the shadow of a doubt that the US is investing in a long-term strategic partnership with India, and has identified China's growing military assertiveness as a threat. Since the US and India are not treaty allies, Democratic Virginia Senator Mark Warner and Republican Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn have introduced legislation in the Senate to institutionalise the US-India security partnership.

"The US-India Defense Technology and Partnership bill bestows upon India the status it deserves as a partner in promoting security in Asia and around the world," said Senator Warner on Tuesday after introducing the bill in the Senate.

#NoChoice

[SSridhar]

In an April profile in The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg wrote that U.S. Pres. Barack Obama “privately questions why Pakistan, which he believes is a disastrously dysfunctional country, should be considered an ally of the U.S. at all.”

"Make no mistake about it. The evidence is unequivocal that the government of Pakistan and the military leadership of Pakistan aids and abets those sanctuaries. We have clear evidence to that fact. That's the reality. It's not a question of unable or unwilling. They willingly support those sanctuaries."
Gen. Jack Keane (Retd.), Former vice chief of staff of the US Army, PBS Interview, Dec. 16, 2010

[NRao]

The US military awoke to the rotting smell long back. But we're never supported by the politicians or bureaucracy.

Now the politicians are slowly coming around.

Babus still remain in slumber.

The battle will continue.

[vishvak]

The battle will continue.

At what cost and how long till next Presidential elections every 4/5 years.

[svinayak]

The battle will continue.

At what cost and how long till next Presidential elections every 4/5 years.

It is not worth it. It is a waste of time and resource.

[devesh]

I am with the pessimists when it comes to USA's coddling of Pakistan. USA/UK will continue to support Pak till the bitter end. Modi must be negotiating with USA persistently, based on his frequent visits. But in the end, I don't think USA's support for Pak will end.

[KJo]

I am with the pessimists when it comes to USA's coddling of Pakistan. USA/UK will continue to support Pak till the bitter end. Modi must be negotiating with USA persistently, based on his frequent visits. But in the end, I don't think USA's support for Pak will end.

Look at things from America's POV.
Why should they stop support for Pakistan? Pakistan is a slave state which can be bought easily. They can keep India occupied endlessly. They can be used to get info on China. They can be used for dealings with Saudi and to show the Muslim world that they have Muslim friends.
What can India do? Not as much.

So US will as usual mouth the usual "we have to engage with Pak to contain terrorism" while funding them bribes so that this arrangement will continue.

So I agree, it will never end until we dismember Pakistan ourselves. USA will work against India.

[NRao]

The battle will continue.

At what cost and how long till next Presidential elections every 4/5 years.

Sorry. I do not have visibility to your posts.

I use the word "babu" as is from the Indian context. Babus exist in every nation and behave similarly. So, a word coined in India should need no explanation here. However, pardon for asking a question to answer one. Do Babus in India change with political changes?

I am with the pessimists when it comes to USA's coddling of Pakistan. USA/UK will continue to support Pak till the bitter end. Modi must be negotiating with USA persistently, based on his frequent visits. But in the end, I don't think USA's support for Pak will end.

The "US" is not monolithic. Nor is any other nation. It was not too long ago that SecState Gen Powell was step locked with the Gens in the PA. When he left, there was a ever so slight opening for India. Then came the predecessor to the current DTTI, under Bush in 2004. But it meant nothing because most in the "US" saw no value in it. But the wheels since then have been turning in favor of India. It has been very predictable.

I for one believe that the onus is on India. The internal pressure to be more cooperative will only increase (within India).

The cooperation will be only in defense and that too the focus will be on Eastern Command within the IN and PACOM. The rest, due to duty, will reluctantly pitch in.

Pak will be a non issue in 10 years. China will not have the strength to support it. China will be more busy extracting her billions. Pak will do to China what she has done to the US. And cook in her own fluids. IMHO, India need not waste any more of time on the pak topic.

[Kakkaji]

PM Narendra Modi likely to meet Republican and Democrat leaders during his US visit

NEW DELHI: Keen to send out a bipartisan message during his second US trip this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting almost every important Republican leader on the Capitol Hill during the June visit to balance out his engagements with the White House.

The Prime Minister is expected to meet senior Republican and Democrat leaders of the US Congress and also attend a reception organised jointly by House of Representatives and Senate foreign relations committees in association with the two India caucuses. These committees are headed by Republicans — Bob Corker and Ed Royce.

Ahead of his address at a joint session of the US Congress, Modi will meet the top leaders of the Congress, including House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan (Republican), House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Democrat), US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican) and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (Democrat).

Modi's schedule at the Hill, which is still being worked out, may have four back-to-back events. The Indian PM's joint address to the Congress — the first by a foreign leader in 2016 and the first for House Speaker Ryan — is likely to be attended by vice-president Joe Biden and several cabinet members of the Obama administration. During the visit, Ryan will also host a lunch for the PM.

[devesh]

I am with the pessimists when it comes to USA's coddling of Pakistan. USA/UK will continue to support Pak till the bitter end. Modi must be negotiating with USA persistently, based on his frequent visits. But in the end, I don't think USA's support for Pak will end.

Look at things from America's POV.
Why should they stop support for Pakistan? Pakistan is a slave state which can be bought easily. They can keep India occupied endlessly. They can be used to get info on China. They can be used for dealings with Saudi and to show the Muslim world that they have Muslim friends.
What can India do? Not as much.

So US will as usual mouth the usual "we have to engage with Pak to contain terrorism" while funding them bribes so that this arrangement will continue.

So I agree, it will never end until we dismember Pakistan ourselves. USA will work against India.

dismemberment is not enough. the smaller pieces will be happy to the serve the USA just as the mothership was. Look at Bangladesh. simple dismemberment is not the solution. we need sovereignty over that area and de-islamization.

[Philip]

Having been "wetnurse" to the Paki N-monster,breastfeeding it and enjoying the pleasure of it suckling at Yanqui t.ts,the Yanquis have much to blame for the Paki monster of today,which grew fat on the milk of inhuman unkindness from the largesse of various Yanqui regimes of the past. " How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child". The Bard was spot on.Pak today scorns its former 'wetnurse" ,forgetting the teats which it suckled from,that nourished its hatred in its formative years and trained and equipped its manic warriors to do their diabolic deeds,especially against India,to which America turned the proverbial blind eye.

Now that the demon has grown beyond manhood and is in its prime,the foster parents are the ones responsible to have to cut it down with the most extreme prejudice.
Surely the clowns in "Foggy Bottom" realise that by dismembering Pak,one is also dismembering China?!
Pak is far easier to dismember than China.China without Pak is akin to a Chinaman without a mistress..or catamite.

[rgosain]

Having been "wetnurse" to the Paki N-monster,breastfeeding it and enjoying the pleasure of it suckling at Yanqui t.ts,the Yanquis have much to blame for the Paki monster of today,which grew fat on the milk of inhuman unkindness from the largesse of various Yanqui regimes of the past. " How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child". The Bard was spot on.Pak today scorns its former 'wetnurse" ,forgetting the teats which it suckled from,that nourished its hatred in its formative years and trained and equipped its manic warriors to do their diabolic deeds,especially against India,to which America turned the proverbial blind eye.

Now that the demon has grown beyond manhood and is in its prime,the foster parents are the ones responsible to have to cut it down with the most extreme prejudice.
Surely the clowns in "Foggy Bottom" realise that by dismembering Pak,one is also dismembering China?!
Pak is far easier to dismember than China.China without Pak is akin to a Chinaman without a mistress..or catamite.

The bard who passed away 400years ago this month would certainly welcome your historical analogy Philip.
What are India's options when the NSG, led by PRC, refuses entry to India. I feel that the Obama admin are working with the PRC to ensure this outcome happens despite all the talks of engagement

[NRao]

Another angle. And this bug is catching on!!

India-US military ties will counter Chinese threat

Sunday Guardian!!!

Among others:

Ideally, from the Mediterranean Sea to Northeast Asia, both India and the United States should be able to provide direct military or logistic support to each other to achieve discreet security objectives, as part of bilateral or multilateral military or humanitarian endeavours. India’s growing network of military interactions with the US armed services, Japan, Australia, and Southeast Asia provide a template from which to build. India should be a regular participant in the large US-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises, as India should consider leading a regular series of Rim of the Indian Ocean Exercises (RIOEX).

In terms of specific endeavours, it is necessary that the US help India to deter and contain Pakistan’s China-enabled nuclear threat. This threat is compounded by the spectre of Pakistan’s internal instability, which will only grow as increasing Chinese economic power in Pakistan sustains a status quo, which fuels internal conflict. It would be far better to devise a long term strategy for promoting economic and political freedoms in Pakistan, but deterring or responding to the horrors of a nuclear conflict must also become a cooperation project.

[RoyG]

I think it's important to consider as long as the US deep culture exists there will NEVER be a strategic alliance between the countries. Yeah we'll help each other every now and then but our culture and traditions are more tied to Asia including China. No doubt there is some careful balancing happening but I think things will normalize in the long term w/ China. It's in our interests to keep China and Russia afloat to counterbalance the West and use this time to catch up and eventually surpass all of them.

[chanakyaa]

Another angle. And this bug is catching on!!

India-US military ties will counter Chinese threat

Sunday Guardian!!!

If the west is so worried about China's rise, solution is easy. Stop using China as a manufacturing hub, instead of dragging India using round-about faulty logic. If you order a IBM enterprise server for overseas use, as an example, chances are that it will be built and shipped from China. Tell IBM and others to stop. The day "Made In China" label on the western consumer products stops appearing, then articles like this will have any worth.

[NRao]

Another angle. And this bug is catching on!!

India-US military ties will counter Chinese threat

Sunday Guardian!!!

If the west is so worried about China's rise, solution is easy. Stop using China as a manufacturing hub, instead of dragging India using round-about faulty logic. If you order a IBM enterprise server for overseas use, as an example, chances are that it will be built and shipped from China. Tell IBM and others to stop. The day "Made In China" label on the western consumer products stops appearing, then articles like this will have any worth.

Slow day.

You must have already voted for Trump - absentee ballot?

I was told, about 15 years ago, LSE logic they said, that closer economic ties trump military adventurism. Do not know, but India's largest trading partner is China. India looks towards China as the #1 financier. And, yet, the largest and growing threat is China. Looks to me that Indians have not sensed it as yet, but, that window to recover is closing pretty quick. So, no one is dragging India into anything, but for sure the IN and perhaps the IAF are looking for help. There is already deep cooperation on security issues, defense is a natural next step. Of course there is a political angle that has slowed down the process.

From the US standpoint, it started on 2000, with the visit of Clinton to India.

But this is for sure, it is not a US initiative. There are those in the Indian services that have been pushing for a tie up some sort. Neither one wants an "alliance", but very close cooperation on certain specific matters, for sure yes.

So let India take the first step and stop economic trades with China. Lead.

[NRao]

Came across a very interesting trend around town. In at least three international companies (in the US), NRI mid-level managers advising Caucasian senior managers on how to navigate the pressures imposed on them, by NRI leadership, to move jobs from the US to India!!! When such NRI Leadership send a memo, the mid-level NRI managers decode them and rephrase them for the Caucasian Sr. manager. As a result, I am told, there is reduced sharing of real information between the Caucasian Sr. managers and leadership. Resulting in more jobs being retained in the US.

My contacts claim it is working - for the time being.

[NRao]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......................

Interesting.

US defence cooperation Bill steered past anti-India lobbies in Washington

By Ajai Shukla
Philadelphia, USA
Business Standard, 23rd May 16

In 2008, the US Congress passed an innocuously titled legislation --- the “Naval Vessel Transfer Act” --- that has committed Washington to providing Israel a “qualitative military edge” over every potential adversary.

That act bound every US president to ensure Israel always has the “ability to counter and defeat any credible conventional military threat from any individual state or possible coalition of states or from non-state actors, while sustaining minimal damages and casualties.”

Now, in similar fashion, the US Congress is binding future American presidents, whatever their alliances or foreign policies, to nurturing US-India defence ties.

On Thursday, the US House of Representatives passed the “US India Defense Technology and Partnership Act”, as an amendment to the National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) --- which authorizes the US military to spend Budget allocations. Initiated by Representative George Holding, and supported by most of the House, this highlights Congress’ dramatic swing towards India and away from Pakistan.

The US Congress often passes important, but potentially divisive Bills, by tagging them as amendments to larger, compulsory Bills like the NDAA. A stand-alone Bill would be extensively debated, allowing potential opponents to oppose them. It is easier to pass them as an amendment to another less contentious Bill.

The passage of the Bill has not been without tension. Pro-India lobbies have worked discreetly to tamp down opposition from Congressmen disappointed with the tardy pace of India’s defence and economic reforms. There is also ire in Washington about New Delhi’s continued stonewalling of bilateral “foundational agreements”, even though American and Indian officials have agreed on the drafts of two --- the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), and the Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA). Anti-India critics complain that India has never fought alongside the US, the way allies like the UK and Australia have.

Even so, the growing pro-India mood in the House ensured the Bill comfortably passed. Congressional practice now requires the upper house, the Senate, to pass a similar “companion” Bill. On May 9, Senators Mark Warner and John Cornyn, introduced such a Bill, entitled “Advancing U.S.-India Defense Cooperation Act”. Senator Warner, a democrat; and Senator Cornyn, a republican, co-chair the Senate’s bipartisan, 35-member India Caucus which promotes Washington’s relations with New Delhi.

After the Senate passes the Warner-Cornyn Bill, as appears likely, the House and Senate versions of the Bill must be reconciled. This is done either by a formal committee, or through a series of Amendments in each chamber until the Bill looks the same in both. This would not be difficult, since the Senate and House versions are already close to identical. The agreed joint version would then be signed into US law.

American legislators are increasingly conscious of the Cold War divergence between India and the US; and Washington’s continuing support for Pakistan, which makes New Delhi regard the US as a potentially fickle partner. The new Bill aims at reassuring New Delhi of American strategic commitment.

Towards this, the House Bill (just passed) and the Senate Bill (under process) require the US president to “formalize India’s status as a major partner of the United States.” It remains unclear what this status would be. New Delhi’s historical non-alignment rules out a formal treaty, like the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) that binds the US and several European countries into a mutual defence arrangement. New Delhi might also be hesitant to be designated a “major non-NATO ally” (MNNA) --- which does not automatically include a mutual defence pact, but which permits Washington to extend a range of defence and financial benefits. The US currently has 15 designated MNNAs, including Australia, Japan and Pakistan. In 2014, Israel was elevated from an MNNA into a higher category and designated a “major strategic partner”.

For now, US-India defence ties are covered only by a 2015 executive agreement entitled “Framework for the US-India Defence Relationship”, which is valid for a decade. This follows previous, less comprehensive agreements signed in 1995 and 2005.


The new bill also requires the president to strengthen the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative, and the India Rapid Reaction Cell --- a Pentagon department that irons out wrinkles in defence ties.

[schinnas]

Many in this forum seem stuck in the past mistakes of US, cold-war hangover, US' inability to see through the machinations of Pukiland, continued anti-India lobbies in US, etc.

The future has its own destiny and is not necessarily bound by the past. China is the biggest threat to the future of both India and US and it is nothing but natural that US and India come closer strategically. This idea has really gained steam in the past few years in a bi-partisan manner and I hope that the leadership of both countries take it forward in a win-win manner. There is huge amount of people to people contacts between US and India and cultural influence that goes both ways. However the ground realities didn't always reflect in the strategic partnership.

With China's increasingly aggressive posture and her building out of long term offensive capabilities, it is very natural for India and US to become allies. We just need to watch out that India retains its strategic autonomy and self respect while welcoming the alliance. Any alliance or any partnership will be successful in the long term only if there is mutual benefits. There are mutual benefits to be had but select lobbies should be restrained from pursuing opportunistic policies that hurt the partnership in either countries (Ex: pro-china commie lobby in India, EJ lobby in USA that is intent on breaking India, etc.,)

[NRao]

I do NOT see India and the US becoming "allies" - if some in the US Congress expect Indians to fight alongside the US, then they will be in for a major surprise. What I do see is major cooperation, which in some situations could be viewed as alignment.

IF (BIG if) Indians do fight alongside the US I very much doubt it would be under one flag. Such an opportunity did arise in A'stan.

Furthermore China will calibrate her, both political and military, efforts to make sure that an alignment does not occur. China will play her game on teh fringe - just enough to get her way done and ensure the opposition does not have enough points to form an alliance - until it is too late for an alliance.

But, fully expect sharing of info - perhaps even real-time, etc. That should suffice for both India and the US.



Having said all that, I do wish, that Indians do more than what they are doing for their nation. And, such efforts need no government sanctions or funding. Just do it.

[ShauryaT]

IF (BIG if) Indians do fight alongside the US I very much doubt it would be under one flag. Such an opportunity did arise in A'stan.

An opportunity missed.

[schinnas]

Two / three areas where Indian troops can work in partnership with US troops - either overtly or through involvement of special forces.

1. Securing nukes from a disintegrating Pukistan.
2. Cheen mis-adventure in an area that is of strategic importance to India and US. (Ex: Cheen trying to annex Bhutan).
[Added later]
3. A longer term peace keeping / training force in Afghanistan or a liberated GP area / Balochistan.

[JE Menon]

Need to keep things in perspective guys. China is not our enemy, nor our friend. Neither is the US.

Remember PVNR.

[schinnas]

JEM-ji,
China is a threat, possibly the biggest threat in the short and medium term, even though it may not be an idealogical enemy. India may not have negative designs towards China, but the deeply entrenched world view of communists in China (who want to see themselves as an unopposed leader of Asia enroute to being a sole super power by 2050) does not allow for a resurgent and capable India in its backyard.

The only country that is occupying much of our land by force and is unreservedly supporting Pakistan (India's idealogical enemy state) is China. Outside of Pukistan, China is the only country that is arming our insurgents (naxals and NE militants). Granted the US did offer covert support for Hurryrats and EJ separatists gangs in NE at one time, but there is reason to believe that it is on the wane and the pro-India lobbies are much stronger in US than they were in the past.

While China may not dominate US militarily till 2050, they may be able to start challenging supremacy of the dollar by 2030, which is the real fear of Khans. Khan is maintaining its high standard of living and economy by printing dollars and it will collapse if dollar is challenged as the global currency. It is an existential threat to Khans. There is strong convergence of interests between US and India when it comes to China, atleast in my limited understanding. Gurus in this forum may not more nuanced and well considered opinions on this though.

[JE Menon]

>>China is a threat, possibly the biggest threat in the short and medium term, even though it may not be an idealogical enemy. India may not have negative designs towards China, but the deeply entrenched world view of communists in China (who want to see themselves as an unopposed leader of Asia enroute to being a sole super power by 2050) does not allow for a resurgent and capable India in its backyard.

China does not want a challenger. Neither does the US. It is "helping" now, at a cash profit to itself. No harm in that, but that is what it is.

>>The only country that is occupying much of our land by force and is unreservedly supporting Pakistan (India's idealogical enemy state) is China.

We are negotiating the borders with China. And the US is supporting Pakistan, and continuing to. Whether Chinese support to Pak is unreserved is questionable. Words are, but in practical terms it is questionable.

>>Outside of Pukistan, China is the only country that is arming our insurgents (naxals and NE militants).

We don't know that conclusively. There is enough evidence over decades to suggest the involvement of other countries, west and east.

>>Granted the US did offer covert support for Hurryrats and EJ separatists gangs in NE at one time, but there is reason to believe that it is on the wane and the pro-India lobbies are much stronger in US than they were in the past.

Agreed, but that is also a function of our increased strategic autonomy and their need to accommodate the reality of our growing power.

>>There is strong convergence of interests between US and India when it comes to China, atleast in my limited understanding.

Indeed, there is strong convergence with the US when it comes to China. But we do have a general convergence on many issues with China too, globally. We have no interest in a unipolar situation; we have no interest in a multilateral environment dominated almost exclusively by a Eurocentric (including the US) perspective on virtually everything, from trade practices to planetary and space stewardship; We have a powerful interest in equitable consumption of resources on a per capita basis, etc...

[NRao]

Need to keep things in perspective guys. China is not our enemy, nor our friend. Neither is the US.

Remember PVNR.

Which China?

{And I will take teh answer off-line. : ) }

[svinayak]

JEM-ji,
China is a threat, possibly the biggest threat in the short and medium term, even though it may not be an idealogical enemy. India may not have negative designs towards China, but the deeply entrenched world view of communists in China (who want to see themselves as an unopposed leader of Asia enroute to being a sole super power by 2050) does not allow for a resurgent and capable India in its backyard.

The only country that is occupying much of our land by force and is unreservedly supporting Pakistan (India's idealogical enemy state) is China.

While China may not dominate US militarily till 2050, they may be able to start challenging supremacy of the dollar by 2030, which is the real fear of Khans. Khan is maintaining its high standard of living and economy by printing dollars and it will collapse if dollar is challenged as the global currency. It is an existential threat to Khans. There is strong convergence of interests between US and India when it comes to China, atleast in my limited understanding. Gurus in this forum may not more nuanced and well considered opinions on this though.

This is fight between China and US in the world stage. Indian subcontinent is only one of the region where they are fighting for influence and power.
India by not creating a large economy and increasing it hard power influence is tangled in between rising China and a super power US. Both these power dont have any business to be in the region. This is the reality.

There is a domestic rivalry inside US between which faction to support. The support to Middle east and China due to lobby(oil and trade) is strong and this was threatening to displace the support to democratic India and rule of law. Hence all these last minute bills to have military cooperation and US India Defense Technology and Partnership Act. This domestic rivalry will spill out into global stage into trade war and military confrontation.

The question is why is increasing domestic lobby influence with Pak and China in DC has the effect of aggressive moves by Pak and China against India. What is the connection between the domestic affairs of US with the global politics in Asia.

[kmkraoind]

US hopes to ink defence pact with India ahead of Modi visit - Moneycontrol

Last year only Modi addressed US Congress, now again. Things are moving pretty fast and solid moves are being taken on Geopolitical fronts. It seems US Deep state has decided to make China as their enemy. On US part, it should decide, whether they want to dangle a carrot (Chinese card) before India's cart so that it can run foolishly, or handover a carrots basket (tech, FDI).

Modi is coming to the US on the invitation of US President Barack Obama for a meeting at the White House on June 7. He has also been invited by House Speaker Paul Ryan to address a joint session of the Congress.

[schinnas]

There is nothing there to decide. As I stated earlier, the foremost concern for US is to ensure supremacy of Dollar. US is not a manufacturing economy and it survives mainly by printing dollars. It is a great place to be the only authority that can print dollars without having to worry about inflation as rest of the world pays through their nose and hard work for those dollars. US is willing to spill blood in milddle east primarily to ensure the petro-dollar supremacy. Venezuela's crime was that it had the audacity to trade in currencies other than dollar.

Chinese want to break this logjam in steps and evolve a global currency in which its own currency will be a primary factor. US would do everything possible to ensure that such a move gets pushed back by decades even if it concedes that it is an eventuality that cannot be fully stopped. To top it, Chinese aggressive military modernization and hegemonist moves in SCS are sending shivers down the spine of US and its allies in the pacific.

[CRamS]

The colonial aspect of India US relations is clearly evident in this India bashing binge by EJ senators

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/us-se ... 160525.htm

[nvishal]

The colonial aspect of India US relations is clearly evident in this India bashing binge by EJ senators

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/us-se ... 160525.htm

I wouldn't use the BRF to help aggregate traffic to articles like these. It may be difficult to believe but many forms of minority propaganda and is easily spotted by the majority in both india and the US. Most plain skip it.

[nvishal]

Gossip doing rounds that the US and chinese interest converge wrt india. The recent masood azhar incident in the UN and the NSG membership choke is said to be a mutual move between US china.

Expect some chaos with the NSG membership/nuke deal in the coming months. Iran coming back under indias radar is partly because of these new developments.

[ShauryaT]

Strategic Partnership with the US means, loss of freedom for India. At best they "license" the use of arms (I am not using the word purchase) from them? This license has all types of agreements and monitoring associated with them, including pacifying the inflated egos of US senators and congressmen.

I cannot believe, some here are endorsing such banana republic behaviors. Want to send a US designed EMALS equipped INS Vishaal to Chabahar, first get US permission!!
US to closely examine India's Chabahar deal with Iran

Washington: India's move to build a port in Chahabar which will give the country access to Afghanistan and Europe bypassing Pakistan, has drawn the attention of United States.

A group of legislators on Tuesday questioned whether India's development of Iran's Chabahar port for trade access risked violating international sanctions, News agency Reuters reported.

The US State Department official has assured them the administration would closely examine the project.

"We have been very clear with the Indians (about) continuing restrictions on activities with respect to Iran," Nisha Desai Biswal, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, said on Tuesday.

"We have to examine the details of the Chabahar announcement to see where it falls in that place," she testified to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

[vishvak]

Like some G2 deal wherein China gets to lord over Asia and USA the west? It is like how China isn't going after all opposition forces in Syria despite having manpower except some jihadis from Uyghurstan.

[NRao]

I cannot believe, some here are endorsing such banana republic behaviors. Want to send a US designed EMALS equipped INS Vishaal to Chbahar, first get US permission!!

1) Anything related to IN, IN had requested from the US (that US is "offering" is an internal US matter)
2) India has been questioning this "banana republic" expectations for eons now. OK, not eons, 10+ years, now. So, no resolutions so far? Or is there still some lingering fear to stand up and say "we will take an EMALS installed ship where we please and do want we want"?

This crying is getting to be too much guys. Stand up and be counted. Understand it FAR easier to sit behind a key board and cry - get that.


Dogs bark, cats meow and Senators do what they have to (including bark). So, what exactly is lost is 2016? Let the State Dept do its job of kicking can around. There is nothing happening that is out of the blue, very predictable stuff. And, it will continue to happen.

Until India changes for the better - not talking of dynamite GDP, eco growth, some many billions of IT exports, etc. I am talking of poverty, infrastructure (have any clue how many NRIs would like to help build in India? MII? "No infrastructure" is the common complain).


Please save this year's discussion in the US Senate. And, play next year this time. It is like the seasons. Not just about India.

Do not waste your time on such things. There is plenty of stuff to be done within India and needs to be done for the future of India - nothing to do with outside riff-raff. When that is done all this will automatically stop.

[ShauryaT]

Right, NRao. You probably said the same thing around the Hyde bill too and spinned the impact of that bill too, but my nation has paid a strategic price for its entanglements with the US, who's benefits are fleeting at best. My duty to speak out to protect India's interests, as I see them, if you do not mind.

As, for standing up, getting counted, NRI investments.....If you do not like an opinion on a discussion board, the least you can do is stop accusing others of barking. You can do better, calm down there will be contravening views of what serves the national interest. As long as you are on the same page that your view serves the national interest, I am cool, even if I disagree vociferously.

[NRao]

ST,

Apologies. Understand.

Just that this scenario has been playing - at least - since 1997. Very frustrating to see Indians in the same boat for that many years.

[arshyam]

The colonial aspect of India US relations is clearly evident in this India bashing binge by EJ senators

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/us-se ... 160525.htm

I wouldn't use the BRF to help aggregate traffic to articles like these. It may be difficult to believe but many forms of minority propaganda and is easily spotted by the majority in both india and the US. Most plain skip it.

Why not? It's public posturing by the US legislative arm and seems relevant enough, considering the PM is planning (yet) another visit to the US. If nothing else, such articles also help shape perceptions of entanglements with the US. Or are you suggesting that only ra-ra anodyne articles about how US-India are natural partners in every thing under the sun should be posted?

I find the timing of this instance interesting, considering it is right before Modi's visit and scheduled address to the US congress.

As for the article itself, it is standard US practice on having atrocity literature about every country and putting them off guard. Our response should be a similar Parliamentary tribunal investigating claims of US police atrocities against minorities, especially Indian citizens and minorities. I wish and hope one day our Parliament summons enough gumption to summon Dick Verma and make him explain the violence visited upon Sri Sureshbhai Patel. Also, a standing committee on native American existential issues and rights would round it off nicely. As they say in Tamil, one needs a thorn to fight a thorn.

Oh, while the above goes on seasonally, GoI should continue to engage with the USG with all smiles and banter. Two can, and must play the game, unless one of the parties does not think itself being an equal. At this juncture, India is that party, like it or not.