A long-term durable relationship can be forged based not only on trade but through deep political understanding, an aspect that demands of the two nations congruent vision, clear focus, dedicated effort and continuity in foreign policy

The 44th President of the United States of America and the sixth to visit India, Obama’s mission undertaken during the first term of presidency was not only high profile and opportune for mutual commercial and military interests; but more importantly, it flagged an important milestone in the history of development of strategic partnership between the largest and the oldest democracies in the world. India is one of the major power centres in the region and is regarded by the US as “the cornerstone of its Asia policy” and President Obama himself has described India as “an indispensable partner of the US”.

The President’s remarks in the recent past against outsourcing to India and the steep hike in visa fees had raised serious apprehensions in the Indian industry. The fact that the 200-odd business delegates in the Presidential entourage included chief executives of major US firms and that the port of entry was Mumbai, the commercial capital of India, as also the elaborate interaction with the captains of the industry organised by the US-India Business Council there, should help dispel any doubts with regard to the economic undertone and commercial focus of the visit.

With a view to subdue expectations to obviate the possibility of disappointment later on, a bulletin from the Ministry of External Affairs had warned against expectation of any earth shattering outcomes from the visit which covered broad political, economic and security issues. As expected, the interaction between the leadership of the two nations was more of an exercise in the consolidation of relationships, elevation of levels of mutual trust and confidence as also enlargement of the strategic framework of the partnership. An important item on the agenda was the menace of terrorism. It is indeed symbolic that the visit was undertaken in November, a month in which Mumbai was traumatised with terrorist attacks on the two high profile star hotels—Taj and Trident. President Obama stayed at the Taj—another highly symbolic gesture and a subtle message to the terrorist groups as also to Pakistan.

The other issues on the agenda included common concerns on security, stability and prosperity in Asia, strategic consultations on regional and global issues as also enhanced cooperation in space technology, clean energy, non-proliferation, dual use and high technology. Being an entirely bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, Kashmir was not on the agenda. President Obama’s explicit support for India’s bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council came as a pleasant surprise. But support for the membership will come at a price.