Posted on 01/28/2006 10:55:06 PM PST by Gengis Khan
Global Attitudes Survey reports that Indians lead the world for the most favourable impression of the US — 71% of Indian respondents approved of Washington, followed by 62% Polish, 59% Canadians and 55% Britons.
The odyssey that India as a nation and a state has made from the Soviet bear hug of the 1970s to the American eagle’s embrace is a major transformation in world politics. President Bill Clinton’s admonishment of PM Nawaz Sharif and the subsequent Pakistani withdrawal from Kargil in 1999 were major diplomatic events that signalled new equations in the subcontinent.
The Indian Cold War-era misgivings about mala fide American intentions melted and the notion that Uncle Sam is no longer pro-Pakistan when it comes to Kashmir — gained credence. The rousing welcome Clinton got on his landmark visit to India in 2000 contained a sizeable positive hangover from the Kargil intercession.
The fact remains that the Indian public and the security establishment are ultra-sensitive to Washington approach toward Islamabad. PM Manmohan Singh’s expressed “great disappointment” at the delivery of F-16s to Pakistan.
The post-9/11 cozying up of the US to the Pakistani military regime and continued adherence of Washington to the idea of maintaining “strategic balance” in the subcontinent are irritants unlikely to vanish any time soon.
Conditionalities, such as India voting against Iran at the IAEA, are being brought up as exchanges that might appease the non-proliferation backers; but this moots a classic clash of New Delhi’s domestic politics with America’s.
But, long-term energy security interests and Left pressure will likewise constrict New Delhi’s flexibility on Iran.
The fact that the US is badly embroiled in a ‘Vietnamising’ Iraq suggests that full-scale war on Iran is an unfeasible scenario any time soon.
Bush has two more years to go at the helm and the timing of this visit is more profitable in terms of the policy cycle. Counter-terrorism and civilian nuclear technology transfer will be undoubtedly on the menu of the Bush-Manmohan summit, but these do not constitute the whole shebang.
Bush will endorse India as the regional hegemony by consulting with its leaders on escalating violence in Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Business delegations will accompany Bush to quietly notch out bilateral agreements on the sidelines. Bush’s trip will address Knowledge Initiative on Agriculture and discussions to deepen free trade, investment and armament sales.
NATO-class sophisticated military hardware is a key to the evolving bilateral relationship due to its implications for India as a countervailing force to authoritarian China, one of the favourite themes of the Republican administration. India’s long-term grand objective for competing with China will be to secure enough traction from the US. The Bush state visit may be better remembered for pushing the frontiers on these topics that ultimately thicken relations and reorder Asia’s chessboard configuration.
Or this
HehHehHehHeh .....
Welcome back Laz.
HehHehHehHeh ...
HaHaHaHaHaHaHa ....
<< Yes of course Americans do love India.
My post #9 was meant for Brian Allen. >>
Gengis has been madivaned and is a bit confused.
But many, through the years, have - and although one or two have been left with quite serious brain damage and at least one permenantly psychotic, all but that one have so far have recovered.
A little rest and recuperation and G-K'll also recover total control of his facilties.
Who cares whether we're loved by other countries. It's stupid.
India is a wonderful place in so many ways and I have found the people very friendly. I have great admiration for them and how they have pulled themselves together after centuries of extreme poverty. There is still aways to go but their progress is remarkable.
How an you not love a country with such wonderful things like curry, chutney and lasse. It's all so good! The number one most wonderful thing about the Indians is the fact they are not French. You got to love them just for that.
You forgot the military folks are their also.
Indians are great until they get a H1B visa and take your job because companies can't find good technical people in this country to do the job that you just lost.
Kala namak smells like the bottom of a fish tank. However, just the right amount of it in raita makes it very yummy!
Indians approval rating of Washington is higher than Americans approval rating......go figure! That being said, USA, Britain, Australia and India....the team that will kick radical islam back to the stone age......and probably also the great alliance that will eventually have to deal with China.
Small point, but that term went out with the Cold War (although folks still use it to apply to countries in Africa for example), during which India was a "Non-Aligned Nation."
Or conversely, Indians are great until someone starts whining that he lost his job.
Bet you're a riot at the neighborhood block party.
I know. I just think you guys are funny.
Raita fan, eh? It's only good with rice, IMHO.
I tend to use it as a flame retardant when eating chili chicken!
bump for later.........
Ah yes, that was the intended, designed use for raitha. How could I have forgotten that?
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