IndiaRelated_JakartaPost_2006 03 15_Indo-U.S. friendship

Indo-U.S. friendship
15th March 2006

The signing of various deals in New Delhi during the visit of President Bush to India was an important event. Here were two democracies, one the strongest and the other the biggest, shaking hands in friendship.
This friendship has come out of mutual respect. It was neither because of Indian's nuisance value in the geopolitical equation, nor was it based on issues like support against the global war on terrorism -- genuine or phony. It was in recognition of Indian's economic performance and its intrinsic ability to achieve so much while remaining a genuine, if occasionally somewhat chaotic, democracy.
I feel India should stop lobbying for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and instead concentrate on getting stronger and stronger until the UN Security Council feels that it is better off with India inside it than outside, and asks India to join as a permanent member. And then India should gracefully accept the request, but only if it comes with veto power.
From a hungry nation in the 1950s and 1960s when it waited for the arrival of wheat from the United States, to a nation which gratefully rejected the post-tsunami, post-earthquake aid, India has come a long way.
At the end of the visit, it was clear that India ate the cake and kept it too. It kept out what it wanted to be kept out and got what it wanted. Its civilian nuclear installations will get fuel and will be open to inspection by the IAEA, while its military installations will be on their own.
The U.S. secretary of state stated more than once that the U.S. now could take the name of India without taking the name of our honorable neighbor. Both have their own places in U.S. foreign policy, she said.
India has miles to go before it is accepted as a developed nation by the present group of developed nations and is admitted to the G-8 (or G-10 or G-11). But come President Kalam's magic year 2020 and India will be up there and continuing to march ahead.
Accepting the deal signed in New Delhi is in the interest of both the countries and so it is hoped that the American congress will ratify it without delay.
Viva the Indo-U.S. friendship!
K. B. KALE Jakarta