Discuss the Indo-America relations since 1972.
Ans.
Introduction:
With the possibility of more differences arising between India and Russia due to historic developments at the start of the new decade, it inaugurated a new era of closest relations between them by establishing mutual relations on a solid basis.
The most miraculous event in the history of India-Russia relations happened on 9th August 1972, when the 20 year Peace, Friendship and Co-operation treaty was concluded between the two countries.
After a gap of almost eleven years, Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi visited America in July 1982. This visit happened at a time when Indian public opinion was upset with America. Supply of F-16 aircrafts and weapons to Pakistan and refusal to provide fuel to the Tarapur nuclear plant were some of the issues due to which good relations between India and America had declined. Still, Gandhi's visit created a new atmosphere of friendship between the two countries and hope was expressed from both sides that a new beginning has been made in their relations. Although the differences of opinion between the two sides persisted on many issues after this visit, the ways definitely opened to move forward in cooperation and friendship to resolve the dispute going on for the last one year regarding fuel supply to the Tarapur nuclear plant.
On 15th May 1984, the then Vice President of America George Bush arrived in Delhi. Bush assured India that the American weapons being sent to Pakistan will not be used against India. Bush acknowledged that despite India and America differing in opinion on many wars, cooperation between the two kept increasing in economic, cultural, scientific and technical fields. There is a trade relationship of about $402 billion between the two countries, which shows an increase of 57% compared to 1983.
At the same time, on American invitation, Indian Commerce Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh was in Washington. He had bilateral talks with the American Commerce Secretary Malcolm Baldrige on developing India-America trade. On 31st October 1984, India's Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi was assassinated. America's George Shultz assured new Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi of American support at the funeral ceremony of Mrs. Gandhi.
After assuming the post of Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi embraced travel diplomacy by travelling to various countries. As part of this, Rajiv Gandhi reached America on a 5 day visit (11-15 June, 1985). A special aspect of this visit is that leaders of both countries got an opportunity to personally know and understand each other. When America tried to impose some conditions regarding arms dealings with India, which Rajiv Gandhi rejected. In his welcome speech, President Reagan had to say that "America appreciates India's non-alignment policy and its role in South Asia." On the 40th anniversary of the United Nations in October 1985, Rajiv Gandhi visited America again. He met President Reagan and urged him to stop Pakistan from making nuclear bombs by showing his might.
The year 1986 does not have any special relation in the history of India-America relations. Although in February 1986, India was assured of better relations with America, the most important step can be considered the 11th to 14th October 1986 visit of American Defense Minister Caspar Weinberger to India. He was the first American Defense Minister to visit India. The biggest objective of this visit was to increase American influence in the defense sector in India and reduce dependence on the Soviet Union.
The year 1987 starts with the American visit of India's Foreign Secretary A.P. Venkateshwar. On 15th January 1987, the Foreign Secretary decided to discuss important issues of mutual interest and the strategic situation of the Indian subcontinent. On 9th January, the Foreign Secretary expressed his satisfaction with the American visit. Meanwhile, on 7th January 1987, India and America established a fund in Indian currency for cooperation in educational, cultural and scientific fields. Finance Secretary Venkataraman and America's envoy to India John Gunther Dean signed this agreement. But tensions again arose in relations between India and America due to aid given by America to Pakistan.
With the arrival of 1988, attempts to strengthen India-America relations were restarted. Both countries changed their thinking, due to which relations between the two countries improved considerably. America has been forced to think that whatever benefit there is in maintaining special relations with Pakistan, the most important country in this region is India. This is the reason why America has appreciated the steps taken by India to reach an agreement with Sri Lanka and recently to defend Maldives.
On 20th January 1989, America's new President George Bush assumed this post and there have also been changes in the Indian leadership, so hope can be harbored of both finding cordial relations. Commenting on India-America relations, former American envoy to India Patrick Moynihan rightly said that "we like each other but this desire is baseless. Our relations have been admirable and temporary in the past decades and today we have reached a plateau." In short, India-America relations are a unique example of bitterness-friendship.
After exit of Soviet Russia from world politics after 1990, the world order has become unipolar. United States of America is leading that unipolar world order. In such circumstances, it has the responsibility of the world order on its shoulders. To maintain international peace and security has become its primary duty.
Even today, America's relations with India are becoming cordial. Efforts to improve relations are being made during the time of President Bill Clinton. In 2005, American President Barack Obama visited New Delhi and signed many agreements with the Indian Prime Minister to improve relations with India. Both countries reiterated commitment to world peace and security while emphasizing ending terrorism and extremism. Emphasis was placed on improving relations with Pakistan but they did not say anything that could cause tension in India-America relations. Due to left parties withdrawing support to the government on the India-America nuclear deal, it will have far reaching impact on relations between the two countries. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to America in 2015 and 2016 and signed many technical and anti-terrorism agreements with the heads of state of both countries.
To end terrorism in the world, both countries united to not just condemn the terrorist activities of Osama bin Laden in Taliban in Afghanistan but when America attacked Afghanistan, India also aided the American operation. Pressure is being applied to get India to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and current Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh have refused to sign that CTBT agreement.
In today's era of globalization where the conception of national development is through liberalization and privatization, in the same environment, India also wants to export goods produced here to the world market and is inviting world traders to invest capital in India. On 2nd May 2011, American soldiers killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan itself. Both India and America have expressed happiness over this regarding ending terrorism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited America several times. Both countries are making efforts to resolve the problem of terrorism together. On 26th October 2019, America killed the leader of Islamic State Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Pakistan itself. This was another terrorist killed after Osama bin Laden. On 22nd September 2019, Howdy Modi program of Narendra Modi in Houston, USA was historic in which President Trump also participated.
In conclusion:
It can be said that in the current context, India-America relations are becoming cordial and in coming days, hope is that these relations will become even more cordial.