New Delhi: India and the United States hope to reach a limited trade agreement in time for US President Donald Trump’s first visit to the country this month.
The US administrations beginning with George W. Bush to Barack Obama and continuing under Trump have indicated that they need India as a strategic partner to help counter China’s growing influence.
Defence expert Dr Rajiv Nayan speaking to ETV Bharat Taking to ETV Bharat in an exclusive interview, a senior defence expert and senior research associate at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA), Dr Rajiv Nayan said that US President Donald Trump's forthcoming India visit could be a strong message for Pakistan to wind-up its terror business.
Dr Nayan said, "In the last meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump, the message was clear to Pakistan that it should wind up its terror industry or face the consequences. Though much more needs to be done in this direction, the forthcoming visit will definitely give another strong message that there are no takers of Pakistan's foreign policy."
He further said that Trump's two-day-long visit would further strengthen the relationship between India and the United States.
"We are expecting major trade and defence deals to be signed between both the countries. It has become multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional in nature. The relationship has been growing; starting from trade to commerce, from strategic to defence and from culture to people to people contacts," said Dr Nayan.
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On being asked about the defence and strategic importance of this visit, the defence expert said that India is considered strategically very important for the US so is the US for India.
"Throughout the '70s, '80s, '90s and even after the Nuclear tests in Pokhran, the relationship between the two countries was bitter. But, we overcame that period. Even when the sanctions were imposed, leaders of both countries continued their dialogues. Both countries realised the importance of working together," said Dr Nayan.
Speaking on the impact this visit is going to have on China and Pakistan, Dr Nayan said that everyone is realising the importance of India in Asia adding that India has been playing very cautiously as it knows that it is located next to China.
"India has to deal with China in a very cautious way like the US is doing with China, that is containment and engagement both. India also expects the US to understand what is happening in this part and the US should extend support to India's efforts, gestures and postures. It should also put pressure on Pakistan which is involved in so many illegal activities other than the terrorism. So, both India and the US can work together in a somehow sophisticated refined way and handle the problem posed by China and Pakistan.
On being asked whether this visit will have an impact in the upcoming Presidential election in the US? To this, Dr Nayan said that it may have political fortunes for President Trump but India doesn't have any intention to help him politically.
"Trump has to fight his own political battle in the United States. There is a strong diaspora community and they are very very important and influential in American society. But, the Indian community is politically quite divided so it is going to be complex. President Trump has to show that he is really, genuinely pro Indian then he may sway voters in his favour because traditionally Indians are supports of Democrats," said the defence expert.
It is to be noted that at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump is slated to make his first official visit to India on February 24 and 25.
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