India enjoys strategic autonomy in ties

[kashmiri_lad]

WASHINGTON: Despite a strategic engagement that has brought the two countries into closer convergence, the US does not always expect India to toe its line and recognises New Delhi's strategic autonomy, a top official has said.

Assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake, said in his address to a Washington-based prestigious thinktank that the US and India can together will influence the course of the 21st century.

Blake said at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace that the third round of Indo-US strategic dialogue scheduled to be held on June 13, which would be co-chaired by secretary of state Hillary Clinton, and minister of external affairs S M Krishna.

Under the strategic dialogue, the two governments will have substantive exchanges in more than 20 distinct policy areas this year.

The strategic dialogue, he said, has resulted in greater convergence between the two countries and improved trade and business relationship.

Blake, however, acknowledged that America's strategic dialogue with India is different from others and conceded that the United States does not expect India to toe the American line all the time.

"Our strategic engagement with India has brought us into much closer strategic convergence on a range of important issues. We will not always agree and India will maintain its strategic autonomy.

"But our broadening consultations, our common values, and the bipartisan support for expanding our relations suggest that we are likely to work ever more closely in the years to come," Blake said.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=53249

[jeetu]

India's stand regarding Iran is a pretty clear sign that it won't follow U.S. blindly.

[Golden arm]

''Our strategic engagement with India has brought us into much closer strategic convergence on a range of important issues. We will not always agree and India will maintain its strategic autonomy''

why not the same policy for Pakistan?

may be our leadership & institutions + democracy too weak to get respect from americans.

[Garuda]

^^ May be because Pakistan politicians don't like to create their foreign policy themselves.

At the same time, it is very foolish to think that India will not make compromise at all. I don't think there is any country who don't compromise on when there is US pressure. Some less some more. And that is diplomacy. The foreign office need to know how much to bend and where to resist.

If one doesn't bend at all, it will break. Also if you bend too much ... well Mush did that and result is for everyone to see.

[spaceshot]

Originally Posted by Golden arm why not the same policy for Pakistan?

What's with the craze of having treatment similar to that of India's?

[Cpt. Rishwat]

One benefit of the lack of mature democracy in Pakistan which the US will be able to take advantage of, is that while the military is ostensibly in charge of Pakistan, it can be bought at the right price. So if the Indians are being awkward, the US can put pressure on by favouring Pakistan when needed. What's in Pakistan's interest might not even be part of the equation if the elected government has limited writ.

[Senman]

Until we reach the level of Chinese economic magnitude and growth, we will always be aligned with US strategy, no-matter what the US representative says they know that we can do zilch that goes against US policies. We are too much dependent on USA and its not going to change anytime soon. "Strategic Autonomy" is just a pretty word thrown at the masses and media to keep them satisfied for the time being.

[Nishaa]

Originally Posted by jeetu India's stand regarding Iran is a pretty clear sign that it won't follow U.S. blindly.

Can we afford to forsake Iran for US. USA once they achieve whatever they want will leave without a glance. Iran on the other hand has always been on India's side. They support us over kashmir. Don't they!

[avidlearner]

Originally Posted by Nishaa Can we afford to forsake Iran for US. USA once they achieve whatever they want will leave without a glance. Iran on the other hand has always been on India's side. They support us over kashmir. Don't they!

I tend to disagree with the bolded part, above. For quite some time now, Iran has been Anti-India when it comes to Kashmir dispute. Just look at how much importance it is giving to Kashmiri separatists in its official Presstv(not to forget portraying India in a bad manner).

[Nishaa]

Originally Posted by avidlearner I tend to disagree with the bolded part, above. For quite some time now, Iran has been Anti-India when it comes to Kashmir dispute. Just look at how much importance it is giving to Kashmiri separatists in its official Presstv(not to forget portraying India in a bad manner).

Maybe it is bcause we have developed better ties with israel.

[avidlearner]

India has one of the most complex relationship with Iran. Currently, our relationship is purely economic related one(Oil related to be precise). We were never strategic partners. In fact, we are known for backing Saddam Hussain's regime(known for its Anti-Iran policies) up until his capture and subsequent killing. I doubt having good relationship with ISRAEL is making Iran to go against us in Kashmir dispute. I feel its more to do with the image that Iran is trying to create among Islamic nations that it is the savior of oppressed muslims across the world e.g. Palestine crisis. In that way, it will be strategically impossible for Iran to ever support us on Kashmir problem(Iran supporting us equals to going against its careful creation of Muslim Savior Image).

[Golden arm]

Originally Posted by spaceshot What's with the craze of having treatment similar to that of India's?

meant autonomy in relations

[jeetu]

Originally Posted by avidlearner India has one of the most complex relationship with Iran. Currently, our relationship is purely economic related one(Oil related to be precise). We were never strategic partners. In fact, we are known for backing Saddam Hussain's regime(known for its Anti-Iran policies) up until his capture and subsequent killing. I doubt having good relationship with ISRAEL is making Iran to go against us in Kashmir dispute. I feel its more to do with the image that Iran is trying to create among Islamic nations that it is the savior of oppressed muslims across the world e.g. Palestine crisis. In that way, it will be strategically impossible for Iran to ever support us on Kashmir problem(Iran supporting us equals to going against its careful creation of Muslim Savior Image).

Pretty much. India needs both U.S. and Iran. About time both Iran and U.S. realize it too.