Note4students
Mains Paper 2: IR | Bilateral, regional & global groupings & agreements involving India &/or affecting India’s interests
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: COMCASA, 2+2 dialogue
Mains level: Renewed vigour in India-US relationship and its advantages for India
Context
Successful 2+2 dialogue
- The India-U.S. defence relationship has been given a significant boost with the three agreements signed after the inaugural 2+2 Dialogue in Delhi
- These are:
- the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA)
- “hotlines” between the Defence and Foreign Ministers of both countries
- the first tri-services military exercises between the two countries
Importance of COMCASA
- COMCASA is the third of four “foundational”, or enabling, agreements signed by India after more than a decade of negotiations
- It is perceived as an inevitable consequence of a large amount of U.S. defence hardware it has been purchasing
- This will increase, going forward, given the U.S. decision to include India in the top tier of countries entitled to Strategic Trade Authorisation (STA-1)
Limiting China’s expansion
- Both sides agreed to cooperate on fighting terrorism, advancing “a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region” and promoting sustainable “debt-financing” in the region
- The last two points are clearly aimed at Beijing’s role in the South China Sea and the Belt and Road Initiative projects, respectively
Concerns that remain
- While trade was addressed, India did not receive a clear-cut assurance of its GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) status being restored, or of waivers on steel and aluminium tariffs imposed by Washington
- U.S. officials said clearly that they expect India to increase imports of American oil and gas as well as aircraft in order to wipe out the trade surplus India enjoys
- The U.S.’s other demand, to “zero out” oil imports from Iran by November, is simply unreasonable
- It would hurt India dearly not only because of costs at a time when the dollar is strengthening and fuel prices are going up but also in terms of its substantial engagement with Iran
- No public statement was made on what the U.S. will do on India’s investment in the Chabahar port once its full sanctions kick in on November 4
- American officials also gave no firm commitment in their statements that India will receive a waiver to purchase Russian hardware, beginning with the S-400 missile system
Way Forward
- The 2+2 discussions, held after two previous cancellations this year, brought much-needed focus on the India-U.S. relationship after months of drift and occasional discord
- India appears to have taken a leap of faith on its own concerns, expecting that the Trump administration will come through on waiving sanctions and being more flexible on trade issues
- Delhi must work with Washington in the next few months to ensure that the benefits from the 2+2 dialogue don’t add up only on the other side
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