US President Barack Obama's visit to India marks a significant diplomatic effort, being his first-ever second trip to the country. Despite the White House's optimism, experts like Kurt Volker express skepticism regarding the potential for substantial agreements, particularly in military cooperation. The discussion highlights India's strategic position in Asia, especially in relation to Afghanistan and its historical reluctance to engage militarily alongside the US. Additionally, the Chinese media's portrayal of US-India relations as superficial underscores the complexities of geopolitical alliances in the region.
PREREQUISITESPolitical analysts, international relations scholars, and anyone interested in the dynamics of US-India-China relations will benefit from this discussion.
US President Barack Obama is heading for India, but will anything get done?
The White House says it's "the first-ever second trip" for a president. And it shows the value Mr Obama places on the relationship between the US and India.
Still, some are sceptical it will amount to much - or that any deals will be reached, military or otherwise.
"I don't think the Indians are prepared for anything big," said Kurt Volker, a former US ambassador to NATO. "And I don't think Obama has a clear idea of what he wants."
I don't recall India cooperating militarily either in Iraq or Afghanistan but for some reason US might be ditching Pakistan for India to maintain security in Afghanistan? http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/31/w...resees-continued-support-for-afghanistan.htmlGreg Bernhardt said:If you want a military ally in Asia (Japan is pacifist) it better be either China or India. At this point Obama might think India is his better shot.
We would need to offer India an enormous carrotMonsterboy said:I
I don't recall India cooperating militarily either Iraq or Afghanistan but some reason US might be ditching Pakistan for India to maintain security in Afghanistan? http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/31/w...resees-continued-support-for-afghanistan.html
That includes the nuclear deal that was signed on the first day of the visit.Greg Bernhardt said:We would need to offer India an enormous carrot
Or vice versa. After Mumbai, India has much at stake and would find US intelligence of high value. And who would be India's indispensable ally if China becomes aggressive in the future.Greg Bernhardt said:We would need to offer India an enormous carrot
The Chinese media downplays the threat.mheslep said:And who would be India's indispensable ally if China becomes aggressive in the future.
Chinese media outlets appear unimpressed with the deal. Recalling recent diplomatic rows between the US and India, Xinhua News Agency describes the apparently warm ties as "superficial".
."The US wants to use India to contain China, but Delhi may not agree to such a strategy. Instead, commercial benefits and military technology are the things that India is hoping to gain from the US," it says.
Tiger vs Dragon
Warning against the Western media's "ulterior motive" in playing up the China threat, an article in the Global Times cautions China and India not to "fall into the trap of rivalry set by the West".
The commentary notes a "stereotyped mindset" in Western media that India's move to forge closer ties with the US is "aimed at China".
"This time, the stereotyped mind-set seems to have prevailed again when the US president and Indian prime minister hugged in Delhi," says the article.
"This fixed pattern of thinking was created and hyped up by the West which, with ulterior motives, regards the 'Chinese dragon' and the 'Indian elephant' as natural rivals," it adds.
Cautioning India not to "slide" into "Western influence", the daily says that although Beijing and Delhi still have "disagreements on some specific matters", both should make sure that "the big picture remains intact".
Meanwhile, Chinese leaders have pledged closer ties with India as the South Asian country marks its 66th Republic Day on Monday.
China and India may have been historically "at odds" with one another, and may still be, but geographical barriers have prevented both from anything more than unsuccessful attempts to influence/dominate areas of Indo-China.Monsterboy said:Chinese media downplays