The Hindu : Front Page : India for strategic relations with U.S., Russia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 15, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

India for strategic relations with U.S., Russia

Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI: While India’s relationship with Russia has acquired stability, its ties with the U.S. appear to be still a work in progress with both sides attempting to broaden the ambit of their cooperation.

India is more or less engaging with both countries in similar sectors such as defence and security, energy, space, science & technology and trade & economy. The agenda for dialogue with the U.S. also covers people-to-people contacts and health, which do not figure in the list of topics for dialogue with Russia. This was the indication from the government’s reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha during the recent budget session.

Asked about the present policy vis-À-vis the U.S. and Russia, the government avoided any attempt at juxtaposition and spelt out its policy for both the countries separately. The reply said the government not only wanted to “strengthen and deepen” the relationship with the U.S. in ongoing areas of bilateral cooperation but also identify newer areas to take bilateral ties to a “higher level of engagement.” It also sought intensified engagement with the U.S. on global issues such as climate change, disarmament, international terrorism and maritime security to “strengthen India-U.S. strategic partnership.”

Russia is described as strategic partner with the decades-long association providing a “solid framework” for long-term and all-round development of relations. During the coming high-level interactions, the government hopes to hold discussions with the Russian leadership on all strategic areas of bilateral cooperation such as defence, space, energy, science and technology and trade & economy.

India is scheduled to hold high-level engagements with both countries this year. President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and Defence Minister A.K. Antony are all scheduled to visit Russia this year. Dr. Singh will also go to the U.S. in November while Mr. Krishna will review the progress of the recast strategic dialogue with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington. With the U.S. keen on closer intelligence sharing and supplying modern communications and surveillance equipment to India, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has a pending invitation to visit Washington.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page