Modi’s US visit

Three telephonic conversations later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at last had an audience with US President Donald Trump. Dispensing with the flowery Obama-era rhetoric that sought to window-dress American strategic goals, Trump has cut to the chase by laying out the American priorities: India must remove barriers for US exports and reduce the trade surplus it currently enjoys. Indian deals in the pipeline -- $2 bn in military hardware, orders for civilian aircraft and long-term LNG contracts worth $40 bn — were appreciated but the US had not given up on Westinghouse setting up six nuclear reactors in a deal worth over $50 bn. Trump also did not shy away from pointing out the Western world's dissatisfaction with India's IPR laws and specifically sought the opening up of agriculture, IT and manufactured goods and services. 

In return, India got what it wanted to hear: Syed Salahuddin as a US-designated 'global terrorist', Pakistan berated twice in the Modi-Trump joint statement for harbouring militants and a ringing endorsement of New Delhi's suspicions and apprehensions about China's One Belt One Road. There are indications that the US may further please India with some checks on its military aid to Pakistan. The quid pro quo from the US is expectations of a reduced Indian role in Afghanistan. India also came off with Washington's re-endorsement of its claims for the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and other export control bodies. 

Trump's unadorned to-do list for India is clear: the IPR regime needs refurbishing to become eligible for top-end US defence equipment; US products must get easier entry; the Make-in-India tagline cuts no ice; and, the HI B visa issue is not up for discussion. The title of the Indo-US joint statement — Prosperity through Partnership - was unambiguous about its intention. Modi's tour of the White House, Ivanka Trump agreeing to visit India and Jared Kushner joining the talks are all signals meant to convey that the current going is good. But there are certain benchmarks that India must attain in return for closer security and defence embrace.