By: M.Dinata *)
U.S. President Barrack Obama visited India on 25 January 2015, India’s Republic day, and met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Obama revealed that the purpose of the visit to India was to reach an agreement about a civilian nuclear power plant. India and US finally sealed the Nuclear deal which had affected their partnership for 8 years. This agreement also indicated that U.S and India were trying to fix their difficult relationship and build better and strategic relationship.
“India and the United States are not just natural partners – I believe that America can be India’s best partner,” Mr Obama said. “Of course, only Indians can decide India’s role in the world. But I’m here because I am absolutely convinced that both our peoples will have more jobs and opportunity, our nations will be more secure, and the world will be a safer and more just place when our two democracies stand together.”
This nuclear agreement resolves the dispute that happened in 2006 about who would be responsible for any nuclear accident. “The new deal resolved differences over the liability of suppliers to India in the event of a nuclear accident and U.S. demands on tracking the whereabouts of material supplied to the country,” said U.S. ambassador to India, Richard Verma.
This meeting was interesting, because until last year, the current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis was persona non grata in Washington and his Visa had been denied in US, because of his involvement as Governor in the Gujarat tragedy in 2002, that killed more than 1000 people, most of whom were muslims. So, this meeting seems to be an effort to mend the unstable relationship between the two countries.
Bilateral relations between the two countries had not improved since the Gujarat tragedy. Right after Narendra Modis became Prime Minister he agreed to the establishment of a development bank BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) in order to secede from International financial rules in which the U.S. and European Union have a monopoly. The U.S and India have a history conflicts, especially in the trading sector.
Furthermore, Russia has a big influence on India, because Russia remains the biggest weapon supplier for India. The closer relationship between the U.S and India, means that India is flanked by two powerful countries which have a bad relationship and different interests. This situation could cause high pressure for India.
Will this nuclear deal make the “best partnership” dream come true? Who knows?
*) The Author Is Brunei Darussalam Contributor