India strengthens ties with US, and Donald Trump could well be the reason

It’s been decades that India and the United States had mistrust in their ties, even as reconciliation was tried time and again. However, the relationship between the two countries has taken a turn toward cooperation Tuesday, and Donald Trump can claim at least some of the credit.

PM Modi who is on his second visit to US in two years has announced a crucial step in which the Paris agreement to limit greenhouse gases would be ratified.

The two sides have announced that they are also on way to complete the deal in which India will buy six nuclear reactors from Westinghouse by June next year, thereby fulfilling an agreement that was struck between two countries in 2005 by US President George W. Bush. Even though the price is not yet disclosed, more difficult issues like liability have been resolved by both parties.

"We continue to discuss a wide range of areas where we can cooperate more effectively in order to promote jobs, promote investment, promote trade and promote greater opportunities for our people, particularly young people, in both of our countries," said US President Barack Obama.

Modi had said that "The United States is well aware of the talent that India has."

"We and the United States can work together to bring forward this talent, and use it for the benefit of mankind and use it for the benefit of innovations and use it to achieve new progress," he added.

Modi has also made clear that the deep rooted standoffishness in India's colonial experience needs to be cleared off so that there can be stronger ties with Washington.

Talking of Trump’s role in this whole setup, he had announced his "America First" views and his unorthodox campaign, and even though he has said little about India, Indian officials are worried with his vows to tighten immigration policies, which is why Modi wants to get as much as he can out of Obama's last months in the office.

Trump has also vowed to "cancel" the Paris climate agreement if he becomes the PM, but since Modi has given his word, and the accord is on its way to become legal, he would now not be able to legally withdraw the agreement for four years.

Another reason US and India have grown so close is that even though Pakistan was formally an ally of the United States, US officials have said that made clear that India has displaced Pakistan in US interests and hearts.

"We have much more to do with India today than has to do with Pakistan," Defense Secretary Ash Carter had said in April. "There is important business with respect to Pakistan, but we have much more, a whole global agenda with India, agenda that covers all kinds of issues."

Image source