Report appreciates President Obama for building a strong relationship with Modi.
A new report published by Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on ‘India-US Security Co-operation’ recommends the newly elected US President meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi within the first 100 days as it is important for sustaining the close relationship between the two countries.
CSIS has made the recommendations to the new government to ensure India signs the foundational agreements, which America has been pushing for several years. The think-tank believes that this agreement is important for strengthening the India-US defense relationship.
“The next administration should work with Australia, India, and Japan to establish a quadrilateral security dialogue, led by the US State Department and foreign ministries. The dialogue should focus on issues of common interest across the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions,” the report said.
The report says by creating an opportunity for the next US President to meet the Indian Prime Minister within 100 days after he takes the oath will send strong signals to the rest of the countries about the burgeoning bilateral ties between the oldest and the biggest democracies in the world.
The report says that Modi’s growing persona as a strong leader and the US efforts to consolidate its strategy of re-balancing Asia Pacific will give more opportunities for the two countries to interact. This will also provide India an opportunity to reprioritize and rethink its engagement with the world, the report says.
CSIS also urges for establishing a US-India dialogue on the Middle East, modeled on the “East Asia Consults” of the US State Department and India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
CSIS recommends the new president should invite India to participate (as an observer or stakeholder) in the Quadrilateral Coordination Group talks with the Taliban.
The report appreciates President Obama for building a strong relationship with Modi and also for maintaining frequent engagements at the highest levels.
The US engagement with India has increasingly focused on the security aspects and India has responded to the US with never-before-seen warmth. Obama continues a bipartisan run of three presidents who have seen India as key to US strategy in Asia, the report adds.