Main points of the speech made by Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, MP, General Secretary & Chief Spokesperson, BJP at the Hudson Institute (well-known think tank) in Washington, USA on May 19, 2011 on the subject: Indo US Relationship ; its Strategic and Security Dimensions.
Indo-US Security relationship is not the mere coming together of the most pre-eminent world power the United States, and the emerging World Power with the potential to become a stabilizing influence in the world i.e. India for mere strategic purposes. It is the result of the shared understanding of the challenges that confront the contemporary world and a shared commitment to find a solution. This relationship is indeed rich as also complex and at times tenuous and tardy. I would describe it as an engagement that has the potential to shape Asia and indeed a substantial part of the world.
President Barack Obama recently described Indo-US relationship as an indispensable partnership of the 21st century. My leader, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who played a very powerful role in opening up a refreshing new relationship with America based upon mutual trust and respect, described the coming together of these two great countries, owing to common aspirations and values which have universal appeal.
Obviously, democracy, pluralism, fundamental freedoms, human rights, tolerance and celebration of diversity are shared values which deepen these relationships. In my very considered view, the centrality of our bilateral relationship is integral to the evolving course of international relations in the 21st century and more particularly on how Asia develops. This is very relevant, because Asia is home to two emerging global powers – China and India. We in the BJP have also looked forward to a better Indo-US relationship, which has great potential indeed.
FUTURE CHALLENGES
- The gap between the comprehensive national power of India and China is likely to widen this decade, before India starts to catch up at the latter part of this period.
- China will increasingly become the largest economic partner for India and seems very eager to meet India’s infrastructural and at times even financial needs to sustain its own growth momentum that shows signs of slowing soon.
- The third most important challenge is that China’s political assertiveness not only in the region but also with India will increase. It is indeed creating a paradox for us, a growing economic partnership and a much sharpened political contest – a policy challenge for India. China’s growing proximity with Pakistan both in defence and strategic affairs is indeed a cause for great concern.
- The Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean will witness a slow but a strong power shift. China will try to increase their area of denial capability. Obviously control of Indian Ocean has a strong linkage to energy security, where the Indian Navy is playing and will play a further powerful role, from the Gulf of Harmooz to the Gulf of Malacca.
How the issue of energy security would affect the bilateral ties – whether it would foment and manifest a cooperative or conflictive framework, is yet to be seen. China’s political ambition, with all the South Asian countries and the asymmetric relationship it is entering into with smaller states, is something that cannot be ignored. India would not be willing to see Asia dominated by one power. We are for good and friendly relations with China but not at the cost of our strategic interest. I am sure both America and India have a common interest in ensuring that the new balance of power in Asia is not inimical to either of them.
WAR AGAINST TERROR
Terrorism today is not a country specific phenomenon. It is indeed the most dangerous challenge to the whole world. It poses a serious security threat and both the US and India, can and must work together as a major responsible power of the world. We ourselves have suffered a lot. Thousands of innocent Indians have been killed. It is indeed unfortunate that any major terrorist attack in any part of the world has to have some linkage in our neighborhood. It is almost certain that the epicenter of world terror lies almost in our neighborhood. Majority of terrorist attacks in India have been sponsored from across the border. Be it 9/11, the London and Madrid underground train bombing, Bali terrorist attack, the 26/11 attack on Mumbai, in which hundreds of Indians including Americans were killed – they have a clear linkage and pattern.
We in the BJP have always believed, as eloquently articulated by our leader Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, that we can change our friends but we cannot change our neighbours. We wish Pakistan well. It has a fine human resource, which needs freedom and democracy to shine. America needs to recognize that Armed Forces cannot redeem Pakistan. It is time for America to introspect how productive its investment in the military establishment of Pakistan has been over the years. 10 years of Field Marshal Ayub Khan, 4 years of General Yahya Khan, 11 years of General Zia-ul-Huq and 9 years of General Musharraf. The role of the Generals occupies more than half of Pakistan’s independent existence.
Why is it that, inspite so much investment, your assets of yesterday are turning out to be the monsters of today. Osama Bin Laden was sitting safely in the backyards of Pakistan’s capital and the first thing Pakistan did was to hand over the remains of the US helicopter set on fire in Abbottabad for China to replicate. The Osama Bin Laden episode only confirms that Pakistan as an ally in the War against terror cannot be trusted. How long will the terrorist groups and their camps be allowed to operate with impunity inside Pakistan? Bruce Riedel, Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution has very aptly commented that “Pakistan Army is at war with some of them (Taliban) and in bed with others (Lashkar-e-Taiba)”. Many of these strategic assets, which are a serious threat to the United States as well, have greatly benefited from the generous assistance of important elements from the Pakistan Armed Forces.
It is important to remember that the US obsession with Pakistan has allowed China to expand its area of influence while keeping its hands clean. The deep nexus which the Chinese military has been able to establish with the Pakistan military is already strong enough to deny US its strategic space in Asia. Pakistan will of course use the China card and will continue to insist on favors as it has done in the past. Today, there is a real apprehension and indeed high probability of terrorist groups and their patrons within the armed forces establishment getting hold of radio-active or nuclear material. This is a serious complex situation in South Asia and how we manage this will decide our common and individual future in the region and beyond.
CONCLUSION
There is a broad political consensus about where the Indo-US Relationship should head and we are a part of that consensus. Our democracy permits the space to have disagreement on certain specific issues, but it ought not to be mistaken as opposition to the United States or improving Indo-US relationship. We in the BJP have great faith in the story of India. We are very proud of our civilization and cultural heritage, and the bonds which the abiding value of cultural nationalism creates. I urge you to believe in this story of India. From friends to partners is the journey that we need to undertake, and I am confident many of us are willing to walk the distance……
(O.P. KOHLI)
Headquarter Inchrage
