When it is Barack Obama, what he does not say will be equally important

New Delhi

25 October 2010

When it is Barack Obama, what he does not say will be equally important. So it

will be when he comes visiting.

In order to get the optics right, Indian and American officials have been briefing the

media, here and in Washington, about what to expect from Obama's visit. But from New

Delhi's perspective, what Obama will not choose to say about issues such as Kashmir,

protectionism and outsourcing, non-proliferation, the Af-Pak situation or China, will be

just as significant as what he does say about them.

China's assertiveness will likely be an active topic of discussion but Obama is still seen

in many quarters here as being soft on China. A senior US government official concedes

that New Delhi and Washington do not have identical perspectives on China but there is

a recognition that India has a role to play in east Asia.

On outsourcing, the Indian industry will be looking to hear about no further curbs just as

it would not want him to impose new protectionism against India.

Similarly, although India shares Obama's vision of disarmament, it has reservations

about taking on onerous non-proliferation commitments such as becoming a party to the

comprehensive test ban treaty (CTBT) without an express linkage to disarmament.

The issues of proposed withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan coupled with the

ongoing efforts at making contacts with the Taliban to end the insurgency, and the US

military and financial aid to Pakistan are of immediate concern to India. However, the US

official insists that Pakistan needs the aid in order for it to be able to have the

capabilities to fight the terrorist syndicates.

The US official's description of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform as a

"complicated issue" indicates that an explicit endorsement of India's candidacy for a

permanent UNSC seat may not be forthcoming. However, on the issue of Jammu and

Kashmir, Washington has shown greater appreciation of India's position that it is a

bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.