Shadowboxing in India-U.S. ties

[JanjaWeed]

Something always seems to come in the way of India and the United States finding the groove in their relationship. Attempts by the two sides to inject some enthusiasm into bilateral ties despite the spat over the diplomat Devyani Khobragade and the U.S.’s past coldness toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of the Gujarat riots, seem jinxed. The revelation that the U.S. National Security Agency had sought and received official permission to put theBharatiya Janata Party under surveillance in 2010 is the latest hiccup. It overshadowed the visit by Republican Senator John McCain, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The disclosures were part of the latest cache of data released by whistle-blower Edward Snowden through The Washington Post. From what is available in the public domain so far, it is not clear what methods of surveillance were used, and which particular individuals in the party were being targeted. That this was four years before the BJP became the ruling party makes it curiouser. There is, however, nothing particularly surprising in the disclosure. Virtually every country spies on every other, and in the process spares no one of any importance. Espionage is among the oldest professions. Only, the methods have become more advanced and a country’s resources determine how advanced its technologies are. It is just that the U.S. gets outed more frequently than any other. Describing the surveillance as “unacceptable”, India summoned senior U.S. diplomats, apparently to tick them off. But New Delhi cannot in all honesty say that it does not spy on political parties in other countries, or even within. So the protest should not be mistaken for a moral stand that there should be no espionage.

What the revelations have done is to create further negativity about the U.S. in the Indian mind, thus making it politically difficult for the two governments to put the past behind them quickly. As it is, acloud hangs over bilateral relations over the Khobragade episode. Though the Obama administration has made it clear that the Prime Minister would receive a red-carpet welcome in Washington in September, the cancellation of a visa to Mr. Modi when he was Chief Minister has not been forgotten. From all the outreach to India’s South Asian neighbours, and to China, Russia, France and Singapore, New Delhi also seems to be sending out the message that its foreign policy priorities are different from its predecessor’s. Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal’s visit to make contact with the new government was upstaged by the high-profile arrival of the Chinese Foreign Minister. But good U.S.-India ties are in the “enlightened national interest” of both sides. A way must be found to break the ice before the September Washington summit.

Shadowboxing in India-U.S. ties - The Hindu

 

[illusion8]

Something always seems to come in the way of India and the United States finding the groove in their relationship. Attempts by the two sides to inject some enthusiasm into bilateral ties despite the spat over the diplomat Devyani Khobragade and the U.S.’s past coldness toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of the Gujarat riots, seem jinxed. The revelation that the U.S. National Security Agency had sought and received official permission to put theBharatiya Janata Party under surveillance in 2010 is the latest hiccup. It overshadowed the visit by Republican Senator John McCain, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The disclosures were part of the latest cache of data released by whistle-blower Edward Snowden through The Washington Post. From what is available in the public domain so far, it is not clear what methods of surveillance were used, and which particular individuals in the party were being targeted. That this was four years before the BJP became the ruling party makes it curiouser. There is, however, nothing particularly surprising in the disclosure. Virtually every country spies on every other, and in the process spares no one of any importance. Espionage is among the oldest professions. Only, the methods have become more advanced and a country’s resources determine how advanced its technologies are. It is just that the U.S. gets outed more frequently than any other. Describing the surveillance as “unacceptable”, India summoned senior U.S. diplomats, apparently to tick them off. But New Delhi cannot in all honesty say that it does not spy on political parties in other countries, or even within. So the protest should not be mistaken for a moral stand that there should be no espionage.

What the revelations have done is to create further negativity about the U.S. in the Indian mind, thus making it politically difficult for the two governments to put the past behind them quickly. As it is, acloud hangs over bilateral relations over the Khobragade episode. Though the Obama administration has made it clear that the Prime Minister would receive a red-carpet welcome in Washington in September, the cancellation of a visa to Mr. Modi when he was Chief Minister has not been forgotten. From all the outreach to India’s South Asian neighbours, and to China, Russia, France and Singapore, New Delhi also seems to be sending out the message that its foreign policy priorities are different from its predecessor’s. Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal’s visit to make contact with the new government was upstaged by the high-profile arrival of the Chinese Foreign Minister. But good U.S.-India ties are in the “enlightened national interest” of both sides. A way must be found to break the ice before the September Washington summit.

Shadowboxing in India-U.S. ties - The Hindu

The Hindu is a commie newspaper - no points for guessing that they don't like the US.

 

[Donatello]

It's NSA we are talking about. Even if they say they won't do it, they will do it. It's their job. The whole point of spying is to get in and get out without the other knowing. When they didn't leave German Chancellor alone, what makes one think they would give a rat's arse about the third world?

 

[BannuTorkham]

It's NSA we are talking about. Even if they say they won't do it, they will do it. It's their job. The whole point of spying is to get in and get out without the other knowing. When they didn't leave German Chancellor alone, what makes one think they would give a rat's arse about the third world?

Correct... They never gave two hoots during Raymond Davis CIA affair for sure

But we are talking about a sovereign nation here please..

 

[SrNair]

It's NSA we are talking about. Even if they say they won't do it, they will do it. It's their job. The whole point of spying is to get in and get out without the other knowing. When they didn't leave German Chancellor alone, what makes one think they would give a rat's arse about the third world?

And they will get same cold treatment from us.Thats all.
And comment about a third world from a third world citizen is not that worth.
At least we are not a NATO ally like Germany or major non nato like our neighbour .
At least we could do something when they treat our diplomat badly.
We can survive without US support.We dont ask them anything It was them that came to us.Be it Nuclear deal or anything.If they want good relation with India they need BJP.Otherwise we dont care.

 

[Bang Galore]

But we are talking about a sovereign nation here please..

That's funny. Do you believe spy agencies ask for permission? Sovereign countries?? Every country would like to do what the NSA can, if they could.

 

[Donatello]

And they will get same cold treatment from us.Thats all.
And comment about a third world from a third world citizen is not that worth.
At least we are not a NATO ally like Germany or major non nato like our neighbour .
At least we could do something when they treat our diplomat badly.
We can survive without US support.We dont ask them anything It was them that came to us.Be it Nuclear deal or anything.If they want good relation with India they need BJP.Otherwise we dont care.

This post of yours shows why you Indians seem stupid on public forum. No where did i mention third world with just regards to India. If you were to be able to read my post carefully, you would know i used the third world as a blanket term. USA doesn't give a shyt about developing nations, if that's how you like it. Talking about this cold shoulder is nothing but cheap. You can't even give cold shoulder to Pakistan, let alone USA. So don't try to act smart where none is needed.

Correct... They never gave two hoots during Raymond Davis CIA affair for sure

But we are talking about a sovereign nation here please..

So is Germany and so many others. Nothing special about India.

 

[SrNair]

This post of yours shows why you Indians seem stupid on public forum. No where did i mention third world with just regards to India. If you were to be able to read my post carefully, you would know i used the third world as a blanket term. USA doesn't give a shyt about developing nations, if that's how you like it. Talking about this cold shoulder is nothing but cheap. You can't even give cold shoulder to Pakistan, let alone USA. So don't try to act smart where none is needed.



So is Germany and so many others. Nothing special about India.

Really.
Wake up friend .World is quite changed.
We know Americans plan.Now they need us more than we need them.
And we are playing with that very well.US themselves said they cant ignore our market.So where is your point?
We know US diplomacy very well and also some milestone like1971.
Now all we care about our national prosperity and development.If US contribute for that they will also get profit.
Otherwise we have another nation like Japan ,China , Germany ,Russia etc.
Within last days 3 high profile visit happened from US France and now UK.
US re gularily sending their envoys for good relation with
India. We have lot of options.
Developing nations are third worlds.
But even if a developing nation or third world
India is quite different than all others.STill you dont get that.That is why US signed Nuclear deal with India evby by passing NSG.They show more enthusiasm than us.And till now US dont get even a single deal.
Like I said we only care about our national interest.
About Pakistan except emotional Kashmir Issue it is not a matter for us.And Pak PM came in to India like jet when be invited by our PM