India seeks international dimension to ties with US

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to India gives an opportunity to realise the international significance of their strategic partnership, according to National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon.

“India and the USA stand at an important moment in our partnership,” said Menon who was here to lay the groundwork for the Obama visit in early November.

“As a result of consistent efforts by successive governments and administrations in both countries, our bilateral strategic partnership is strong,” he said Thursday in an address at the Carnegie Endowment, a Washington think tank, on “India-US Relations.”

“The time has come to realize its international significance,” Menon said describing India as “a responsible power” and the USA “a trustworthy partner,”

But the two countries “must be sensitive to each other’s vital and important national interests” and “must strengthen the habit of working together, intensifying strategic consultations.”

Asserting that Indian “priorities do not in any way conflict with those of the USA,” he said “In today’s international situation, India-US relations are an important factor for world peace, stability and progress.”

“Apart from changing geopolitics, the emergence of new transnational and global threats also brings us together,” said Menon noting they have much “in common in disarmament and non-proliferation” and “a shared vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.”

“And it seems to me that we both have a common interest in reforming the institutions of global governance to reflect today’s realities and to make them capable of dealing with today’s challenges,” he said.

Given the strong bilateral underpinnings, congruent interests and shared values, Menon said the Obama visit offered an opportunity to put into place a longer term framework for the India-US strategic partnership.

“A major area for initiatives is the economy and trade,” he said noting “India today offers a growing market and a partner in improving the international competitiveness of US companies, creating jobs in both countries.”

“Our bilateral trade is largely balanced. It is not very well known that our trade in services too is in balance,” Menon said. “The more we sell to the USA the more we buy. India’s exchange rate is set by the market.

“India’s experience has taught us that mercantilism and protectionism are not the way forward,” he said hinting at the unease in India over the protectionist rhetoric emanating from Washington.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)