FOREIGN POLICY

US Foreign Policy with India under Barack Obama

India the Emerging economy of Asia - US Foreign Policy under

Barack Obama

The Foreign Policy of Obama's Regime favoured or went against the Indian?

India, with a population of more than 1 billion, is the world's largest democracy. Overlooked for many years by U.S. foreign-policy makers, India has risen in the last decade to become one of the most influential potential allies in South Asia, an increasingly important region. With a rapidly growing economy and population, India has begun to occupy a more prominent geopolitical role on the world stage. Many international relations experts view a close U.S.-India partnership as a potential regional counterweight to the rising power of China, as well as a useful alliance in combating Islamic fundamentalist terrorism in nearby Afghanistan and Pakistan. In recent years, India has slowly transformed its policy of jealously guarded independence in foreign affairs into a willingness to use its growing influence by developing international partnerships (Rosati, & Scot, 2010, 23-58).

Most experts credit President Bill Clinton (D, 1993-2001) for jump-starting the U.S.-India partnership. Then, under President George W. Bush (R, 2001-09), U.S. State Department officials continued to develop closer ties with India, pushing through several landmark agreements and, in essence, creating a new age of U.S.-India relations. In 2005, the U.S. agreed to support a civilian nuclear program in India, despite the U.S.'s longstanding non-proliferation policy. The same year, the U.S. and India signed a bilateral security pact ensuring 10 years of cooperation on counterterrorism initiatives and including joint military exercises. The U.S. has also sold significant numbers of arms to India, contributing to flourishing trade and investment between the two countries.

The U.S. and India, however, have clashed on some foreign policy issues, particularly U.S. policies concerning Pakistan India's long time rival to the west. In recent years, the U.S. has given billions of dollars in aid to Pakistan's unstable government in an effort to combat Pakistani domestic terrorism groups, which threaten to undermine U.S. counterterrorism efforts in neighbouring Afghanistan. India, however, remains suspicious of Pakistan. The suspicion grew especially after November 2008, when members of a Pakistani-based militant group launched a coordinated series of bombings and shootings in the Indian city of Mumbai, killing 164 people. Furthermore, Indian officials have expressed mistrust of the U.S. policy in Afghanistan, fearing that the U.S. will leave Afghanistan prematurely, which could force India to contend with the ensuing instability both there and in Pakistan. The U.S. and India have also clashed on some trade issues, efforts to combat global climate change and regulations surrounding India's civilian nuclear program (Rosati, & Scot, 2010, 23-58).

Literature Review.

When President Obama (D) took office in January 2009, some foreign policy experts expressed concern that he would allow the momentum of the U.S.-India partnership to languish. Since then, Obama's administration has drawn growing criticism for devoting too little time and attention to U.S.-India relations. Indeed, some critics have questioned Obama's commitment to strengthening U.S.-India ties. While few international relations experts argue with the ...