Connectivity discussed in global context, especially in Indo-Pacific region: ShringlaIndia, US elevate ties to higher level

Sandeep Dikshit

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 25

India and the US have elevated their bilateral ties to the level of comprehensive global strategic partnership in appreciation of greater proximity achieved by both countries during US President Donald Trump’s visit that ended tonight with a Presidential Banquet.

Speaking after meeting Trump in restricted and expanded formats, Prime Minister Narendra Modi apportioned the progress in bilateral ties by both countries in six silos: defence and security (including against radical Islamic terrorism), strategic energy partnership, technology cooperation, global connectivity, trade relations and people-to-people ties.

While a trade deal eluded both sides and Trump once again complained of India having the highest tariff in the world, Modi disclosed that India had considerably stepped up purchases from the US to address that grouse. Just four sectors — energy, civil aircraft, defense and higher education — contributed $70 billion even as both sides stand poised to begin negotiations for a bigger deal. “We are confident that this will yield good results that will be in our mutual interest,” said Modi.

In trade, Trump also pointed out that US exports to India are up nearly 60 per cent since he became President and exports of high-quality American energy has grown by 500 per cent.

At a separate briefing, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said India had purchased oil worth $20 billion and arms worth $9 billion since Trump took office.

PM Modi indicated that the purchase of American military hardware would continue apace because cooperation in “ultra-modern” defence equipment and platforms would enhance India’s defence capabilities as well ensure integration in each other’s supply chains.

Indications are that both sides will now open talks on long endurance armed and unarmed drones that India has long coveted that have put to deadly use by the US in taking out dreaded terrorists in Af-Pak, West Asia and North Africa.

PM Modi also spoke about discussions about new mechanisms to fight serious problems such as drug trafficking, narco-terrorism and organised crime.

The two sides also began work on providing an answer to China’s infrastructure building spree. The newly formed US International Development Corporation (USIDC) with a seed capital of $600 million will set up a permanent office in India. Its mandate is to handhold projects of developing countries, thus positioning itself as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Trump touched on the military aspect of Asia-Pacific and said he had discussed revitalising the Quad (a joint initiative by the US, India, Australia, and Japan), but Shringla maintained that there was only an “oblique” mention and it was “going in the right direction”.

Trump also mentioned talks on a G-7 initiative, the “Blue Dot network”, meant to certify large infrastructure projects (and thus posing a challenge to BRI projects), but Shringla added that India had sought more clarification on some aspects.

Shringla said while the Citizenship Amendment Act and NRC did not come up, but it was mentioned that pluralism and diversity were the common binding factors in both countries.

Discussions between the two sides also touched on expanded cooperation on counterterrorism, cyber-security and a secure 5G wireless network. They also decided to set up a counter-narcotics working group to confront the growing threat of illicit fentanyl and opioid production.

Shringla said India had also pointed out the increasing restrictions on H1B visas and referred to their contribution in developing the hi-tech sector and increasing America’s e-competitiveness.

Earlier, Trump was given a ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan.