New Delhi, November 5
The common man in India may be celebrating Barack Obama’s election as the first Black President of the United States but New Delhi is looking at his four-year-term in the White House with guarded optimism, given his strong views on the CTBT, Kashmir and outsourcing.

For several months, more than the political developments in India, the tussle for Presidency in the US caught the imagination of the people in India, thanks to news channels giving extensive coverage to the election scenario.

However, there is a mixed feeling in the corridors of South Block as well as among foreign affairs experts on the election of the 47-year-old African American to the world’s most powerful position with an overwhelming majority.

There are apprehensions in official circles that pressure might mount on India to sign the comprehensive test ban treaty (CTBT) provoking a fresh debate on the issue in this country.

In fact, it is becoming crystal clear to New Delhi that the nuclear deal could have only come through during Bush’s Presidency. Obama might not have thrown his weight behind the deal the way President Bush did, given his views on non-proliferation issues.

Many in the bureaucracy admit that President Bush had done his utmost for promoting India-US relations. Bush might have been a ‘foreign policy disaster’’ on Iraq, Afghanistan and several other issues, but his presidency was the ‘best thing’ to have happened to Indo-US ties.

Kashmir may also be on Obama’s radar as is evident from his recent comment, indicating that he might try to play a peace-maker between India and Pakistan so that Pakistan could assist the US in the war against terrorism rather than concentrating on dealing with India.

This has sent ripples in the Foreign Ministry. On top of it, reports have appeared in the media suggesting that Obama might consider appointing former President Bill Clinton as a special envoy on Kashmir.

Even today, a senior official sought to play down Obama’s comments on the Kashmir issue, saying these might have been a thing or two to do with the election campaign. “Our position on Kashmir is well-known. We are engaged in a dialogue with Pakistan on this bilateral matter.”

An American diplomat here was of the view that India should not read too much into what Obama said on Kashmir during his election campaign. “I don’t think our policy on Kashmir will change in any way during Obama’s Presidency,” he added. The diplomat pointed out that Obama’s running mate for Vice-Presidency, Joseph Biden, is an old India hand, who played a significant role in pushing the nuclear deal through. Obama will certainly not ignore his deputy’s views on India-Pakistan relations, and unnecessarily ruffle New Delhi’s feathers.

Another cause of concern for New Delhi is what view Democrat Obama takes of his administration’s policy on China. Unlike the Republicans, the Democrats have always pursued a ‘policy of engagement and not a policy of containment’ on China. The Bush administration promoted India with zeal to position this country as a force which could counter China in Asia. The dynamics of the US relationship vis-a- vis India and China might also see transformation.

Obama also has strong views on outsourcing and has gone on record promising tax incentives for US companies, which create new jobs.