Modi brings
India still closer to US
In his speech
to the U.S. Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there was a “new symphony in play” between India and the U.S.
Defence ties have been consolidated in
three ways: in defence procurement from the U.S. as well as co-development
projects, in coordination, cooperation and sharing of information between the
two defence forces; and increasingly, on the idea of working together on
operations on piracy, peacekeeping and patrolling.
It is very
clear that the Modi government intends to move
closer to the U.S. on defence issues. During Modi’s visit the U.S. declared
India a “major defence partner”. In 2005, Manmohan Singh told the U.S. Congress
of how “India’s growth and
prosperity is in American interest”. Modi
took the theme forward by saying, “A stronger and prosperous India is in
America’s strategic interest.”
However, our
country needs to strengthen our defense. We can always purchase latest
technologies from other advanced countries but it costs us a fortune and sooner
or later we need to realize the fact that we cannot depend on other countries
forever for the safety of our country. Providing our military, the navy and the
air force with better and enhanced equipment that are manufactured in our own country
should be the main area of focus. This will not only save us the money that we
were otherwise using to procure state of art defense designs from foreign countries,
but it will also increase our horizon in
the overall revenue growth attributing to the fact that we too can attract
other countries to procure our defense designs for a handsome buck.
The US is
desperate to sell its weapons and technology to India, a country hungry to
acquire arms and related technology as evidenced by the fact it is the largest
importer of arms. This US-India nexus provides the added advantage of putting Pakistan
under control to ensure it treads the straight and narrow as any deviation will
very likely subject it to sanctions.
The U.S. has
magnanimously affixed the tag "major defence partner" on India which means
a profitable partnership between the U.S. military-industrial complex & the
emerging Indian oligarchy -- "a natural alliance". India's cheap "human resources" will be useful for America.
China is
flexing its muscle as it matches its great economic power with military prowess
and dominance. This has required every major power and affected country (India
and US included) to reassess their defence strategies and foreign alliances. PM
Modi appreciates this and Indians are grateful to President Obama for extending
US friendship to India. Recent developments in US-India friendship are not only
progressing in the right direction, but are essential to world stability.
It is India’s
good fortune that PM Modi is building on previous
foundations and taking forward many of the good ideas of Dr Singh. Modi's
English speech addressed to the US Congress was something to be greatly
appreciated. PM Modi’s speech was very well received, and most Indians are very
grateful.
