A matter of proportions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest meeting with US President Barack Obama was no different from their previous six engagements. Both sides have been smitten equally by the desire for a closer strategic embrace but find themselves having to move cautiously because of their existing commitments to other countries and their different belief systems. It was in line with this approach that the US declared India a major defence partner which, on paper, will lead to fewer formalities in transferring closely guarded defence technologies. Both countries also wrapped up a military cooperation agreement, besides making progress in facilitating the setting up of US nuclear plants in India.

The two sides also broke fresh ground in bilateral security and defence cooperation by expanding technology cooperation to cover more systems, announcing further steps to deepen collaboration against terrorist threats and deciding to share terrorist screening information. On the global stage, the US expectedly supported India’s membership to the UNSC and other global organisations but in order to keep China in good humour, both sides consciously downplayed future plans for a joint endeavour in the South China Sea. Amidst the emphasis on security issues, the US has inserted itself as an early bird in the India drive to ramp up the share of renewable power in the total energy mix with a slew of agreements.

While trade, defence, clean energy and security got their due, India could not wangle more work visas nor could it stop Washington from deducting social security payments from temporary workers. However, high net-worth Indians may not have to face a Shah Rukh Khan moment when they enter the US in the near future after both sides signed an MoU on an expedited traveller initiative. There were two other military agreements on the menu but were not signed because that would spell the end of India’s military trade with Russia. The US also desisted from using strong words against Pakistan, while India walked away with the satisfaction of having named its tormentor in the joint statement. In the end, existing compulsions put the brakes on a convergence that could have been faster.