11-03-2005, 12:01 AM
http://thefinalphaseforum.invisionzone.com...p?showtopic=514
Call me an optimist on this one... but I believe the Indians when they talk nice to the West, and the US, and I believe they are "playing" the Russians and Chinese when they talk nice to them. It is purely a matter of opinion at this point and I haven't really dug into the issue the way I hope to someday.
What really convinced me was when PM Singh addressed the joint session of Congress. He appeared genuinely moved and honored by the outpouring of goodwill offered up by the whole assembly. He almost seemed to tear up when it all began to sink in. His words made me believe that the US and India really are becoming strategic partners.
Strategically, the United States realizes that our "friendly" relationship with Pakistan is not a permanent fixture. It will eventually fade, either with the death of Musharaff or when he feels enough pressure from the Islamist "street" to begin an open antagonism with Washington. For quite some time now Islamabad has been more of a hinderance for US interests in the region than a help. One day, before too long, the relationship will dissolve completely. It is our relationship with Pakistan, largely, that is holding back our relationship with India.
India is our friend. The population has a very high level of good will toward the US, remarkably so in this age of fashionable anti-Americanism.
India's relationship with China and Russia is complex, but I think the positive moves in this area should be seen in the light of the historical animosities that exist. Consideration should also be given to the strategic position India finds herself in now that she finds herself in the shadow of the Chinese juggernaut, and once you add in a healthy and growing Sino-Russian partnership to increase the nervousness in New Delhi, you can understand their actions with regard to those two countries. I believe that India feels incredibly boxed in, and is just playing nice nice with the bully until it can reestablish itself as a more dominant player (with the US at her side IMO). There is nothing about a partnership with Russia or China which will benefit India beyond achieving a security which is understood to be temporary.
Allister, I found your article to be very informative, and I think it is a good thing to let India know, frequently, how we feel about them cozying up with our adversaries, just as they frequently let us know that it bothers them that we are too close to Pakistan.
Ultimately, I think that in a sense, India is still "in play" and has not ultimately decided which side they will be on. But in my heart I believe they WANT to be on our side, they are just unsure about the decision because it might ultimately mean they are on the LOSING side, and they have yet to work that out completely. As long as India is "in play" you will see both sides (Russia-China, and the US) wooing India. I believe she has probably made the choice (to side with the US), but that she doesn't want to fully tip her hand yet. And that is understandable.
I believe India is key to the future. The prospects of making them a permanent ally gives me great hope for the future of the planet.
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Call me an optimist on this one... but I believe the Indians when they talk nice to the West, and the US, and I believe they are "playing" the Russians and Chinese when they talk nice to them. It is purely a matter of opinion at this point and I haven't really dug into the issue the way I hope to someday.
What really convinced me was when PM Singh addressed the joint session of Congress. He appeared genuinely moved and honored by the outpouring of goodwill offered up by the whole assembly. He almost seemed to tear up when it all began to sink in. His words made me believe that the US and India really are becoming strategic partners.
Strategically, the United States realizes that our "friendly" relationship with Pakistan is not a permanent fixture. It will eventually fade, either with the death of Musharaff or when he feels enough pressure from the Islamist "street" to begin an open antagonism with Washington. For quite some time now Islamabad has been more of a hinderance for US interests in the region than a help. One day, before too long, the relationship will dissolve completely. It is our relationship with Pakistan, largely, that is holding back our relationship with India.
India is our friend. The population has a very high level of good will toward the US, remarkably so in this age of fashionable anti-Americanism.
India's relationship with China and Russia is complex, but I think the positive moves in this area should be seen in the light of the historical animosities that exist. Consideration should also be given to the strategic position India finds herself in now that she finds herself in the shadow of the Chinese juggernaut, and once you add in a healthy and growing Sino-Russian partnership to increase the nervousness in New Delhi, you can understand their actions with regard to those two countries. I believe that India feels incredibly boxed in, and is just playing nice nice with the bully until it can reestablish itself as a more dominant player (with the US at her side IMO). There is nothing about a partnership with Russia or China which will benefit India beyond achieving a security which is understood to be temporary.
Allister, I found your article to be very informative, and I think it is a good thing to let India know, frequently, how we feel about them cozying up with our adversaries, just as they frequently let us know that it bothers them that we are too close to Pakistan.
Ultimately, I think that in a sense, India is still "in play" and has not ultimately decided which side they will be on. But in my heart I believe they WANT to be on our side, they are just unsure about the decision because it might ultimately mean they are on the LOSING side, and they have yet to work that out completely. As long as India is "in play" you will see both sides (Russia-China, and the US) wooing India. I believe she has probably made the choice (to side with the US), but that she doesn't want to fully tip her hand yet. And that is understandable.
I believe India is key to the future. The prospects of making them a permanent ally gives me great hope for the future of the planet.
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