STABLE
SOUTH ASIA: A CRITICAL PRIORITY FOR THE
U.S.
"US-India bilateral
relationship burgeoning"
THE
common goal of safeguarding liberty and combating terrorism and oppression
has united two democracies-India and the US-and stimulated a burgeoning
bilateral relationship based on the many similarities and values that
cultures of these two countries share. "The
relationship between the United States and India is playing an increasingly
important role in regional and world affairs in the post-Cold War world
as our democratic nations work together to address new dynamics and
threats in a multi-polar world," says India-friend and
Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
in an interview with Amitabha Sen. Stating that from the beginning
President Bush has sought to expand the US relationship with India,
the
first Hispanic woman elected to the US Congress
said "the U.S. and India will continue to jointly address
threats as terrorism and proliferation, while expanding commercial relations
to spur mutually beneficial economic growth and prosperity."
On
the issue of Indo-Pak relationship, Ros-Lehtinen observed that "a
secure and stable South Asia and support for the Pakistan-India peace
initiative, is a critical priority for the U.S. As such, it is vitally important that military sales to Pakistan
be viewed within the context of the existing military balance and that
due consideration be given to offsetting sales to India to maintain
regional stability and security."
Branding
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh as the architect of India's
original economic liberalization and reform program she said that "these
policies are the foundation upon which India's current impressive economic
growth is built. Given the strategic significance of the South Asian
region to the U.S, the importance of Dr. Singh's diplomacy, the role
India can play in contributing to US objectives cannot be overstated."
AS:
From estrangement
in the Cold War era to engagement in dialogues for closer relations,
one finds perceptible changes in the US-India bilateral relations today.
How would you like to assess the level of mutual trust and confidence
between these two Democracies?
IR:
I have been privileged to witness and directly participate in the growing
Indian-American bond. Our
common goal of safeguarding liberty and combating terrorism and oppression
has united our nations and stimulated a burgeoning relationship based
on the many similarities and values that our cultures share.
Simultaneously,
the United States has been blessed with a strong, vibrant Indian-American
community who has significantly contributed to our culture, our prosperity,
and who have deeply embraced zthe ideals of Democracy.
In
the coming years, India and the U.S will face several challenges and
I am confident that the strong bilateral ties between India and the
United States will serve as an example of fruitful and positive bilateral
relations.
AS:
Do you find any major shift in India's foreign policy on the US being
followed by New Delhi today from that of the Vajpayee-led UDA government?
IR: As the world's 2nd most populous nation and the largest democracy in the world, India and the United States have forged a long-lasting friendship, exemplified by our dedication to the preservation of democracy across the globe. This relationship is based on common values and believes. As such, there are no significant shifts in policies despite changes in the Administrations in India or the U.S. I am confident that the relationship will continue to flourish.
AS:
What is the greatest achievement, if we may say so, of the Bush Administration
in getting closer to India?
IR:
From the start of his Administration, President Bush has sought to expand
the U.S. relationship with India.
From counter-terrorism, to security issues, climate change and
commerce, to strengthening democracy and fighting HIV/AIDS, the President
has looked to India as a partner.
Thus,
our two democracies are working together more intensely than ever before
to make the world freer, more peaceful, and more prosperous.
Our collaboration can only make the world a safer and more just
place.
AS:
Yet another crucial issue that hugely impact the South Asian regional
affairs is Indo-Pak relations. When both the country heads are saying
that the peace process initiated last year is "irreversible",
the US has accorded Pakistan a Major non-NATO ally status and has been
assured of F16? Commenting
on the US decision you said: "military sales to Pakistan should
be cleared only after Islamabad's full compliance on terrorism and proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction." Can we have your views on this crucial issue in greater detail?
IR:
Concerning the sale of F-16s to Pakistan, Congress must approve the
sale of this high-technology export, as in this case. During this familiar
process, it is my belief that Congress must condition these and other
military sales to Pakistan on that country’s cooperation in the dismantlement
and full disclosure of the activities of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, along
with Pakistan’s fulfillment of its international obligations.
Simultaneously,
a secure and stable South Asia and support for the Pakistan-India peace
initiative, is a critical priority for the U.S. As such, it is vitally important that military sales to Pakistan
be viewed within the context of the existing military balance and that
due consideration be given to offsetting sales to India to maintain
regional stability and security.
AS:
"With all the nations that are getting into the nuclear club and
this global war on terror, more and more we depend on allies like India
to help us in that troubled area," you said some time back. Do
you feel there is a greater chance of India getting a permanent seat
in India with Veto power if it signs the CTBT? Are you expecting any
major announcement in that respect during the Indian Prime Minister's
State visit this month?
The United Nations Security Council’s core responsibility is the promotion of international peace and security. As such, any member to the Council must undertake the necessary steps to live up to that obligation and meet related criteria.
AS:
The US no longer sees India through the lens of the Cold War as an ally
of the former Soviet Union. Instead it (the US) sees India as important
actor on the regional stage and is seen as an emerging global
power. As an India friend do you think India's foreign policy on the
US may ultimately recognize the country as an US ally or India would
prefer to maintain the status of a major partner of the US?
IR:
The relationship between the United States and India is playing an increasingly
important role in regional and world affairs in the post-Cold War world
as our democratic nations work together to address new dynamics and
threats in a multipolar world.
The U.S. and India will continue to jointly address threats as
terrorism and proliferation, while expanding commercial relations to
spur mutually beneficial economic growth and prosperity.
AS:
"India is a rising economic influence of power in the international
system.. It is emerging as a potentially very stabilizing and positive
force in international politics," US Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice has recently told the US Wire Service correspondents. How would
you like to see the role and contribution of the US in helping India
shape up as a global power? Could you identify the areas that would
benefit both?
IR:
The relationship between India and the United States has made rapid
and striking advances in all areas - economic, political, security,
defense and science and technology, to name only a few. Our two countries
are cooperating on a range of issues related to regional political and
economic stability in the world.
As a result, I believe this relationship between the world's
largest and oldest democracies will grow stronger still.
AS:
Do you find significant changes in Dr Manmohan Singh-led UPA government's
foreign policy on the US from that of Mr. Vajpayee-led UDA government?
IR:
Dr. Singh made his reputation as the architect of India's original economic
liberalization and reform program in the early-1990's, when he was finance
minister. These policies are the foundation upon which India's current
impressive economic growth is built. As Prime Minister, Dr. Singh has
also embarked on an active engagement policy with all of India's neighbors,
including resolving difficult issues with Pakistan. Given the strategic
significance of the South Asian region to the U.S, the importance of
Dr. Singh's diplomacy, the role India can play in contributing to US
objectives cannot be overstated.
AS:
The US government, investors and others are talking about trade barriers
that exist in India. What would be your suggestion to New Delhi government
to facilitate American investments in India? Would you be expecting
any major announcement in this regard during Indian Prime Minister's
visit?
IR:
The US Government recognizes the enduring significance of the relationship
between our two great nations.
One particular area of great potential for Indo-U.S. relations
is in trade and commercial cooperation.
India’s economy has expanded rapidly since reforms in the early
1990s. Exports to the U.S.
have more than doubled since 1995.
In order to fully exploit this economic potential, we encourage
Prime Minister Singh not only to continue to pursue important second-generation
reforms, particularly with respect to deregulation, but to share his
thoughts directly on India's role as a regional economic power.
AS:
Last but not least. The EU Trade Commissioner said that Doha would be
the litmus test for India's leadership in trade negotiations.
Agriculture being the mainstay, what role you would be expecting
of India as leader of developing nations' block at WTO?
IR: India’s long-term economic potential is tremendous, and recent strides in the technology sector have brought international attention to such high-tech centers as Bangalore and Hyderabad. In addition, the Indian economy has grown rapidly over the past decade, with real GDP growth averaging some 6% annually, in part due to the continued structural reform, including trade liberalization. As leader of the developing nation’s bloc at the WTO, India not only serves as an primary example of sustained economic growth, the emergence of transparent and accountable business practices clearly demonstrates the economic benefits of democracy.
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Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen, born in Havana, Cuba, on July 15, 1952, represents
Florida in the US Congress since August, 1989. She was elected
in 1989 as a Republican to the 101ths Congress by special election to
fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative
Claude D. Pepper.She has been re-elected to the eight succeeding Congresses.
She had been a member of the Florida state house of representatives
from 1982-1986 and member of the Florida state senate, 1986-1989.
July
18, 2005