President Barack Obama’s visit has made it clear that a strategic partnership between India and the US is imperative not only for both the countries, but is also in the global interest

A new chapter in the histo ry of Indo-US relationship has begun, or at least this is what industry leaders, trade analysts and opinion makers of both the countries believe, post US President Barack Obama’s visit to India from November 6 to 9. “It was a talk among equals. For the first time, we have been treated as an equal,” says former Chief of Air staff Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi and adds, “A strategic partnership between the two countries is in the interest of both the US and India, and also in the global interest. The economic gains may take a while, but strategic gains have been immense.”

Vivek Lal, Vice President, Boeing Defense, Space & Security-India says, “The US President’s visit to India has solidified the foundation of the association between the two countries laid in the last few years. The visit was a catalyst in moving forward the relationship. It has given a tremendous momentum to the partnership.” Agrees Former Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major and says, “President Obama’s visit has brought a breakthrough in the Indo-US relationship.”

Obama’s visit seems to have made it clear that a wellcalculated partnership between the two countries is in the interest of free flow of trade and energy globally. The balance of power is shifting towards the East. Nevertheless, the US cannot overlook the growing role of India and China in shaping the new world economy. India also cannot ignore the role of the US in world stability. Tyagi says, “The US sees India as an emerging power, transparent and democratic. Japan’s economy is stagnating for the last two decades and it is unlikely that China will provide an open transparent system for the US. So it is in the core interest of both the countries that India and the US have a strategic partnership. The rise of India is good for the region and this is what they said during the Obama visit. India is a peaceful nation. It is such a matching of interest that whatever follows from here is natural.” He adds, “What India was looking for was a partnership in which both partners would seek each other’s assistance in world affairs. What clearly emerged was that the US said that we will not only consult India on regional issues, but also issues related to East Asia and other global issues. The message also came that in shaping the new world order, the US will always consult India.”

While the lifting of sanctions against Indian Space Research Organisations has paved the path for development in satellite and missile technology, the declaration of several multibillion dollar deals has raised the hopes of the defence industry both in the US and India. “The lifting of sanctions from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) shows the relationship between the two countries is maturing and it will certainly help expand the scope of cooperation in various fields,” says Lal.

India has co-developed missiles and military aircraft with Russia and Israel. But because of American sanctions, DRDO has never developed weaponry with the US. President Obama’s hint at relaxation of sanctions has thrown the doors open for possible collaboration with high-tech defence industries in the United States for India. “The lifting of sanctions from the DRDO will lead to several innovations,” says Major. India has some of the best brains and an expertise in IT—computer simulation, virtual reality, and robotics. Hopes are high that America’s advanced technology and India’s best brains can together create breakthroughs in command and control, and communications software. But only time will tell how relaxed would the American laws be in providing a platform to Indian scientists on application oriented research.