America and India
– N K Tripathi
Marco Rubio, secretary of state of the US, considered an Indian supporter, came to India to receive lukewarm welcome. The demeanour of the GOI and cursory attention of the media are the reflection of the pent up feelings of the last one year. America not only caused pain to India, but it also humiliated it. The ‘great strategic’ friend India was singled out for the maximum tariff. America made light of the brutal Pahalgam terror attack. To add salt to the injury, Marshal Munir was given a grand welcome in the White House, breaking all protocols and shame. Trump treated India and Pakistan as two quarrelling boys.
Trump, somewhat humbled in Beijing and bogged down in the Gulf, now needs India. Rubio was dispatched to assuage India and put the relations on the even keel. Rubio, on behalf of Trump, invited Modi to the White House. In the bilateral talks of Rubio with the Indian foreign minister, old diplomatic niceties were repeated. Only good outcome is the India-U.S. Framework on Critical Minerals and Rare Earths.
Quad, created to contain China, had been in hibernation because of Trump’s eagerness for not annoying Xi Jinping. There had been no summit of the leaders. Now, foreign ministers of the four nations have resuscitated it by collaboration in Pacific maritime surveillance, energy security and critical minerals.
Rising China is a big problem for India. Therefore, India must maintain good relations with America for technology and security, in spite of highly asymmetric transactional partnership. India should also engage meaningfully with all its neighbours, including Pakistan. India should find ways of convergence of interests with China. India should open itself for substantial Chinese FDI.
However, the real solution for India in its economy and security lies in its own efforts. India should build resilient supply chains for critical minerals and strategic technologies. India should rationalise regulations involving intellectual property, licensing, investment and curbing bureaucracy. India should improve its judicial system, specially enforcement of financial contracts. India should protect data sovereignty, which paves way for innovations. India should do heavy lifting with patience and stamina to achieve world status.
