Modi ji, we Indians are all focussed on your upcoming interlocutions with the American President.....and you have all our good wishes Sir ! However, kindly do get some serious, productive & meaningful business out of these meetings....especially from the INDIAN National perspective. Please dont sell us just American rhetorics on how they are going to tighten the screw on Pakistan, or their resolve to play a greater strategic role in the Indian Ocean. Instead, please get them to ensure peaceful start for us in the Hajigak Iron Ore Mines operations in Afghanistan. Ask them to bear adequate pressure on Pakistan to expedite bilateral treaties with India on the TAPI Oil Pipeline, and smooth transit facilities for Afghan trucks bringing commodities from Kabul to Wagah. Defence acquisition is of course important. But please dont get swayed by their projection of Ultra High technology or super-sophisticated Systems. Instead, please get them to come in for extensive Licensed joint-production of armaments & equipments in India. Let not our purchases be an one-way benefit-game for the Americans. And also think carefully before rushing in with commitments on the various strategically-binding Foundational Agreements for Defence supplies from them. Modi ji, please make sure that the crux of Indo-US bilateral relations are not kept confined to big dreams on Hi Tech Tranfers, or Joint Fight against Extremism, Fundamentalism & Terrorism and bla bla bla..... Because merely getting expensive technology from a single source is never going to serve our global diplomatic & strategic purpose. And with regard to terrorism, let us remember that the Americans, themselves, are an integral part of this problem.....and hence they cannot be brought on to the side of solution. Nuclear power (and enriched fuel) is a vital area of our future energy-security. But here again, please be careful that in our haste to please their big Corporates, we do not end up unnecessarily diluting our nuclear liability law, or alter the contours of an equitable partnership. On the top of it, please impress upon your guest to not look at India as only a multi-billion dollar ready market to trade in high-value, critical technology. Instead, please ask them to become our day-to-day partner in building our Hard infrastructure and export capabilities. Let them follow Japan, Germany etc. in investing in our highways, bridges, Ports, Super fast trains, overhauling of rail network, Border & Coastal roads et al......even if these are trickier, long-gestation sectors of investment ! Lastly, let us Indians see some solid pacts wherein the US will heavily help us - in tangible manners - in areas of Public healthcare, IPR & Patent formulations, Science & technology in the civilian spheres, Green Energy & Climate Control, Aerospace, Higher Education collaborations etc. After all Modi ji, this is the most opportune time for India to get some real good treatment from them. The US needs us now, more than ever. And their reasons are compelling !
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 08:49:23 +0000
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