Letters: Focus on bilateral ties

With reference to “Clinton or Trump: Who’s better for India?” Abheek Barua and Bidisha Ganguly (November 7), the recent bilateral progress indicating a high degree of continuity in Indo-US ties is of greater significance to us than debating who is better for India. It is also significant to observe that the authors have themselves pointed out that the two US presidential contenders from rival parties have flip-flopped on issues related to India, which does not augur well for us.

Notwithstanding occasional (read self-serving) statements by top ranking visiting US leaders to the effect of “India being a strategic friend of the US” that may have faintly led us to believe we are on top of the world, it would be naïve to assume that the US has at any point evinced any special interest in India. Mind you, the US is known for developing its foreign and trade relations only with countries which could serve its own interests in the long run.

However, if one goes by Hillary Clinton’s track record vis-a-vis India, one tends to agree with the writers that predictability and comfort are expected to be more if she were to become president. Besides a wait-and-watch mode, we may wish that the American-Indians residing in the US do make the “right” choice on D-day. It would surprise no one if PM Narendra Modi makes a surprise US visit to greet the winner and win his or her confidence to further boost bilateral ties. But irrespective of who wins, India should move on.

Vinayak G, Bengaluru
 

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