Deepening U.S.-India strategic cooperation, including the taking off of
bilateral military ties, has long-time proponents of closer relations between
the two nations cheering -- although observers caution that there are plenty of
obstacles that could derail this progress.
"Amidst all the change in the region since September 11, one thing has
remained a constant. This is the ever-broadening and strategically important
U.S. relationship with India," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for
South Asian Affairs Donald Camp earlier this month.
Military Ties Take Off
The most noticeable developments in recent weeks have been on the military
front, with Camp noting that the two countries are quickly moving to "a more
robust military partnership." Indeed, the U.S. and India have just concluded a
major weapons deal, the two nations are planning a significant joint exercise in
the U.S., and they have agreed to a joint naval operation in Asia -- cooperation
that would have been unheard of not so long ago.
The Pentagon described India’s move to buy eight Raytheon Co. long-range, weapon
locating radars for $146 million as "historic." The AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder is a
medium-range system that detects and reports the position of enemy artillery,
mortars and rocket launchers. It is capable of locating up to 10 different
weapons systems within 35 miles in seconds. After an enemy weapon is fired, the
system relays precise information for locating it and counter-firing.
Key Weapons Deals for India
Analysts said that the Firefinder was a priority acquisition for the Indian
military, which has been constrained by its lack of such a system during
frequent exchanges of artillery fire in the disputed Kashmir region. "The
purchase by India marks a shift in the military balance in the Kashmir conflict
with Pakistan," one observer noted. "Although the Pakistani army already has a
Firefinder system, India’s acquisition will give it superiority over Islamabad
due to its substantially larger artillery force."
Bush Administration officials stressed that the first major U.S.-India
weapons deal in more than a decade illustrated the new closeness of the
relationship.
Joint Training Planned in U.S.
Similarly, in what was also lauded as illustrative of the new level of U.S.-India strategic cooperation, it was recently revealed that Indian soldiers will train with U.S. forces in Alaska. This "definitely marks new levels of cooperation" with India, said Joseph Cirincione of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, who noted that the U.S. only conducts these kinds of training exercises with its allies and close friends.
The planned training, slated for next year, would mark the first time Indian forces have been invited to participate in military exercises in the U.S. The training in Alaska at high altitudes and possible snow would match conditions in the Siachen Glacier of northern Kashmir, observers note, and the scene of long-standing Indian tensions with Pakistan.
The U.S. and Indian air forces are also planning to conduct joint exercises in the South Asian region.
China Factor
Some observers say the improved military ties are part of Washington’s view that India can be a very useful counterweight to China. The U.S. is "seeking out New Delhi as a future partner to contain a burgeoning China," one expert noted.
Indeed, the joint naval patrol in the Malacca Straits sends an implicit signal to China of New Delhi’s military prowess, some observers point out.
Overall, competition between Beijing and New Delhi is heating up, one analyst said. "China and India both view the Southeast Asian region as a vital source of natural resources and a market for their goods. Beyond the economic factor, the two countries also view the region as part of their spheres of influence, and vital to their own national security."
However, despite the developing strategic cooperation between the U.S. and India, there are plenty of pitfalls in the budding relationship, including both countries’ ties with Pakistan, continued nuclear proliferation concerns, and problematic economic issues.
Pakistan Wild Card
The U.S. still needs Pakistan’s critical cooperation in the war on terrorism. However, Pakistan might be less willing to help if it feels that the U.S. is tilting too much toward India. Indeed, the recent weapons-locating radar deal -- which helps India’s military deal with Pakistan forces in the Kashmir -- has upset Islamabad.
Similarly, the planned joint training exercise in Alaska is sure to anger Pakistan. "It’s very likely that Pakistan will have a strong reaction," cautioned Carnegie’s Cirincione.
Another observer noted that "Continued and increasing military technology transfers and cooperation with India may sour Pakistan’s willingness to assist the United States in its war against terrorism."
However, he added that "while the hunt for Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda members is the short-term goal of the United States -- with Pakistan’s cooperation remaining vital -- in the long run Washington hopes to see its interests in the region better served through fostering a strategic relationship with India."
Overall Ties Move in Right Direction
Nevertheless, despite the obstacles in the way to deepening U.S.-India ties, overall the relationship is moving in the right direction. "We continue to promote intense cooperation with India on a broad array of issues," Camp pointed out. "They range from economic dialogues and business ventures to collaboration on new international strategic and security frameworks to countering terrorism. This administration has recognized since long before coming to office that India is emerging as an influential global power."
These areas of bilateral interest span the globe, Rocca added, evidence of a "transformed relationship" between the U.S. and India.