JOIN USBiden-Modi phone call a sign of renewed solidarity in Indo-US ties
The recent telephonic conversion between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 8 though brief has significant pointers to their respective priorities, thoughts and the future trajectory of Indo-US relations.
Perhaps the most significant issue to have emerged from the discussion is President Biden’s emphasis on building a “stronger regional architecture” through the Quad (USA, Japan, Australia and India), ostensibly to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.
If Chinese media reports are to be believed, China’s preliminarily moves to mend frayed ties with several countries such as India, Vietnam and others, signalling an improvement of relations if the other side also took into account China’s concerns, is based on the Chinese government’s reading of the Biden administration’s moves relating to China.
While it may not be possible to directly link the on-going disengagement between Indian and Chinese armies in Eastern Ladakh to these moves, it’s timing must be noted. Interestingly, President Biden chose India to make his first telephone call after the US’s closest allies. Earlier, three high officials, Secretaries of State, Defence and the National Security Adviser had spoken to their Indian counterparts, underlining the importance attached to the Indo-US strategic relationship by the new government in the US.
The two sides have agreed to work together for a rule based international order (a reference to China’s militarisation of South China Seas and threats against its neighbours) and a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
India’s importance to the US
Some analysts believe that the US is at an inflexion point today similar to 1946 when President Truman was searching for a suitable strategy to win the Cold War against the Soviet Union. The difference now is that the US's competitor is China, a country headed by Xi Jinping, who is using China’s economic clout to divide the transatlantic alliance and resorting to the biggest peacetime military buildup in history.
President Biden has made it clear that while the US “need not have a conflict, there would be extreme competition with China” as the US is not inclined to concede its global supremacy. He has set up an inter-agency task force to study the US military and intelligence footprint in Asia, the role of the US’s allies and partners and recommend a strategy on how to win the competition against China.
The trajectory of Indo-US relations under President Biden could well turn out to be more consistent, smoother and stronger because India is poised to play a central role in the US's Indo-Pacific strategy given its big professional armed forces, large economy and its aim of resisting China’s unfair policies.
Defending democracy
The second set of issues that President Biden discussed with PM Modi included global problems such as the fight against Covid-19 pandemic, cooperation on climate change, rebuilding of the global economy and fight against global terrorism. In addition to the UN Secretary General, the US government has applauded India as “a true friend who is using its pharma industry to help the global community.”
PM Modi cooperated with President Obama in working out the Paris Climate Change agreement in December, 2015; given the good progress made by India in meeting its emissions reductions, it should be possible for the two countries to enhance their cooperation further.
Similarly, there are concerns that subtle changes in the Biden administration’s cooperation with Pakistan may undermine India’s interests. President Biden is fully familiar with the nuances of Pakistan’s support to terror groups operating from its soil against India and Afghanistan and given India’s strategic importance, would be mindful of its interests.
The third set of issues referred by President Biden related to defending democratic institutions and norms around the world. Three aspects deserve attention. First, the Biden administration will raise its differences with India, whether on human rights in Kashmir or facilities for farmers protesting on Delhi’s borders, keeping in view its larger bilateral relationship. This was evident in the US State Department statement of February 4, which while asking India to observe the human rights of protestors supported the general trajectory of India’s three farm laws.
Also, the Modi government has, for its own reasons, become more sensitive in dealing with these issues to manage their international ramifications. This was evident in the restoration of 4G Internet in the entire J&K region recently after improvement in the local situation.
Given the new importance gained by the human rights issues, some foreign celebrities like singer Rihanna, climate change activist Greta Thunberg and others have made few comments on the farmers’ protest. These were mostly individuals and their concerns were replied to by Indian officials and celebrities.
Then the Indian government has also aligned its reaction to the recent military coup in Myanmar (February 1) with the global outrage expressed by the US, G-7 and other countries speaking of “deep concern at the dramatic turn of events in Myanmar including the detention of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and hoping that the democratic process would be upheld”.
President Biden and PM Modi have agreed to stay in close touch on a range of global challenges and to work together on deepening bilateral cooperation. Discussions on bilateral issues (trade, cooperation in defence, security, emerging technologies, visa and immigration etc.) will wait for the Biden administration to settle down. But going by the current indications, the Biden administration will be more favourably inclined on these issues than its predecessor.
(Yogesh Gupta is a former Ambassador)
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author’s own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.