US Perspectives On South Asia

Dr. Teresita Schaffer, Head, South Asia Programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Washington D.C., was the Guest speaker at a Delhi Policy Group meeting in March 2001.

Dr. Teresita Schaffer spoke about the American perspectives on South Asia under the Bush administration. She said the focus would be mainly on Defence, Missiles, Theatre Missile Defence and Nuclear Missile Defence. America would continue to give primacy to its traditional allies such as Canada,  Mexico and the countries in the western hemisphere. Tax cut and economic growth would be the main focal areas in the economic sphere.

The Bush administration would continue emphasising on the Non Proliferation Treaty agenda but with a lesser stress than the previous administration. It's  main worry would be the export of non - export material and technology especially by China and Russia. Another concern of the Bush administration are the `Rogue states' like Iran and Iraq.  US  tends to get uneasy when India talks about NPT regime , hence, the administration has to find ways to include India to shape up the existing system which India thinks is discriminatory and work on legal and practical aspects in relations. The new administration will continue with the policies of the previous administration on India- Pakistan relations because of the American concern on nuclear issues. The concerns emanate not because India and Pakistan are irresponsible countries but from the unforeseen circumstances which can force countries to take nuclear risks. This drives the US to maintain contact with the two countries to keep an eye on their differences.

The new administration considers China as a rising power. It?s economic expansion along with simultaneous changes in the Korean peninsula, the slump in Japan and crisis in Indonesia could see a large American security presence in Asia. On this, the priorities of India and America can be harmonized and discussed. The US does not look disdainfully at India?s relations with Russia as there are not many conflicting issues with the latter.

There has been a revolutionary change in the US administration from the days of Cold War politics. The expanding trade and investment between India and the US is high on the agenda of the Bush administration. Business concerns about India will get a ready audience in the US. Robert Zelleck, the US Trade Secretary, considers India as an important player and feels positively about free trade and if it succeeds then it would mean opening of other countries market to the US. The first generation Indian diaspora to join the mainstream in America has a definite influence in generating a pro-India attitude. Information technology is another area for bilateral cooperation.