OPINION & EDITORIAL
U.S. needs ally in India
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Also by Steve Schwerbel:
- Dissecting the Republican revolution (February 10, 2006)
- Iran not threat West perceives (February 24, 2006)
- U.S. needs ally in India (March 9, 2006)
- Student Government looks to provide students with new voice (March 31, 2006)
- Humanities should be loved for its brutality (April 3, 2006)
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- Justification for Iraq in North Korea (April 28, 2003)
- Bush's diplomacy admirable (February 15, 2007)
- Ignoring a larger threat: North Korea (February 18, 2005)
- Escalating crisis imperils region (October 10, 2006)
by Steve Schwerbel
Thursday, March 9, 2006
Last week, President Bush made a largely unheralded visit to India — his first — to meet with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Focusing largely on nuclear policy, Bush's visit yielded positive results. In exchange for American civil nuclear technology, India will open its nuclear facilities for inspection.
Bush's visit is an excellent first step toward solidifying relationships with a country that should rightly be one of America's strongest allies. Since the Cold War, America has sadly overlooked India when searching for strong partners in the Middle East, much to our detriment.
Perhaps India's most obvious draw for America is its booming, well-educated population. Business ties to India have been improving lately — to both America and India's benefit. India is one of the most heavily populated nations on Earth, making it a prime market for American products. Moreover, the thriving Indian economy is breeding a newly wealthy class that wants American products.
But India's importance goes far beyond economic. The interplay of geostrategic importance and commitment to democracy makes India the ideal partner for America in an era when old alliances look increasingly uncertain and new and unsavory players are rising to threaten the status of democracy and freedom around the world.
As part of the greater Middle East, India can play a significant role in aiding America in fighting the War on Terror. Our other allies in the region are clearly questionable at best. Saudi Arabia continues to fund radical Wahhabi Islam throughout the region — exactly the same brand of extremism that led to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. We must remember, too, that the Saudis have a close financial relationship with terrorist groups such as al-Qaida. Our other major ally in the region is Pakistan. A country run by a general who has, at best, been reluctant to embrace democracy, is hardly a fit ally in a war whose primary goal is democracy promotion. Pakistan's intelligence agency also has close ties to terrorism — these largely through running guns and money for the jihadis in Afghanistan. Neither of these countries can truly be considered a close ally — rather, these are alliances of convenience based more on American shortsightedness in the foreign policy realm than on a true intersection of interests.
As a multiethnic country with a large Muslim population, India has proved its embrace for American ideals. All of its citizens have equal rights. Its democracy is healthy — elections are regular and untainted by the corruption that plagues so much of the region. Indeed, political scientists will tell you that India has defied all the traditional obstacles to democracy: although it is a multiethnic, relatively poor state, it manages to keep a parliamentary system with many parties going.
The other major benefit to a close alliance with India lies in its ability to block Chinese ambitions in the region. From selling weapons to the Janjaweed in Darfur to cracking down on various dissident movements at home, China's dealings have been far from noble. Yet despite its cozying up to various third-world thugocracies and repressing democracy domestically, America is growing more and more dependent on the Chinese Communist Party and the country it runs. India is a far more logical ally in the region, and should be bolstered by America against the rising Chinese tide.
India is not perfect. It has not, for example, signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. However, it is taking steps in the right direction, and needs to be helped along by a friendly United States. President Bush's deal to allow inspectors into Indian nuclear facilities is a concrete step in the right direction. As America demonstrates its support for India, the country will continue to put forward good faith efforts at transparency.
With a strong friend in the United States, India will be far more willing to take further steps along the right path. With the growing power of the Saudis and Pakistanis in the Middle East, and the rising might of China in Asia, America needs to find new allies that embody our ideals to the rest of the world. India is precisely such a power. We must do more to bring her closer to us.
Steve Schwerbel (sdschwerbel@wisc.edu) is a senior majoring in international studies, political science and history.
Anonymous (March 9, 2006 @ 4:29am):
Excellent Article, good for world peace. Democratic countries like USA and India should lead the world which always brings peace to the world. USA is the good country, it was forced to get into war on terror. It had liberated Kuwait (Muslim Country) from Iraq (Muslim Country), it had made world safe by eliminating rogue leaders like Sadam (who orders for mass murder of his own people). It is just matter of time that things will get settled in Iraq.
India is a peace loving country, it had never invaded any country in its thousands of years of civalization.
Both these countries should join together and lead world into peace.
Paninder
Anonymous (March 9, 2006 @ 10:37am):
Author has very good insights. His ideas appeals to me. We should help promote this friendship. India's educated middle class can help America improve it's research and leadership in technology . At the sametime , Indian seems to love everything that is American. Let us utilize this goodwill and make both country ideal partners /brothers. Our politicians need to be on lookout for each others interest, and build on this foundation.
Anonymous (March 9, 2006 @ 2:22pm):
Mr. Schwerbel,
I read your insightful and thought-provoking article on India. In particular, I was impressed and glad to know that you support the deal and in regarding your knowledge of India and your pro-views for the Nuclear deal and partenrship with India. We need to build a much closer relationship with India, an uncoming superpower. Sir, you made one mistake though. India is not a part of the middle east. In any terms, be it location, politically, culturally, religiously or historically, India has always been an integral part of Asia. India is to the East what Greece is to the West. India is mostly Hindu with significant Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Sikh, Parsee, Jew and Jain minority religions. Culturally, India has influenced the Asian continent for the last 5000 years. Please corrct this as its important for your readers to know that India is a part of Asia not middle east. Thank you.
Anonymous (March 9, 2006 @ 3:16pm):
I agree with your point that stronger ties with India would benefit both countries. But surely we can strengthen these ties in some other way than helping their nuclear weapons program.
This action fuels a nuclear arms race, which I for one don't believe makes the world any safer. A week or so ago, you wrote a piece about how Iran getting nuclear weapons isn't the security issue we think it is, so I don't know your stance on nuclear proliferation.
But when India gets more nuclear weapons, Pakistan gets more nuclear weapons, China gets more nuclear weapons, North Korea gets more nuclear weapons. This drives Iran to get more nuclear weapons, which drives Israel to get more nuclear weapons. You may trust North Korea, Iran, Pakistan, Israel, China, and India not to push the Big Red Button, but I sure don't.
The solution? World wide nuclear disarmament, starting with the USA.
Anonymous (March 9, 2006 @ 4:22pm):
Excellent article! Only thing I want to add is that according to a recent survey, Indians look at Americans more favorably than any other country in the world!!!
Anonymous (March 10, 2006 @ 2:03pm):
"The solution? World wide nuclear disarmament, starting with the USA."
You're kidding, right? Please tell me you don't really believe this...
Anonymous (March 11, 2006 @ 11:50pm):
"You're kidding, right? Please tell me you don't really believe this..."
We won the Cold War. What's the strategic significance of nukes now? They were great when we needed to beat the Soviets, they've done their duty, but now I'm not sure what they're there for. China, maybe?
Anonymous (March 13, 2006 @ 8:08am):
"China, maybe?"
The Chinese Defense Minister gave an intersting speech that might be of interest.
n it, he spoke openly about China's need for "more living space" and stated bluntly that The United States, Canada and Australia are the only places large enough to accommodate future Chinese needs. He notes the need for a quick, effective biological attack upon the U.S. to depopulate it as a prelude to conquest, and plainly states that China is working on genetic bio-weapons to kill everyone except "yellow people."
http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:2WgrGk92_YsJ:www.halturnershow.com/ChineseDefenseMinisterTalksWarAgainstUS.html+chinese+Defense+Minister+&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=firefox-a
Anonymous (March 15, 2006 @ 2:38pm):
Someday a nuclear "accident" will happen. The more bombs, the more chances for it to occur. It ought to be very interesting, if not entertaining. As good-old-boy W. said,
"Bring it on!"
Anonymous (March 18, 2006 @ 2:54pm):
Yup, the Hal Turner show... that's a credible source.
Anonymous (March 18, 2006 @ 10:56pm):
War Is Not Far from Us and Is the Midwife of the Chinese Century
Leading CCP official argues for exterminating U.S. population
http://english.epochtimes.com/news/5-8-8/31055.html
