India an emerging world power, notes US report

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence in United States has said that 'in keeping with its status as an emerging world power, the government of India exerts strong leadership in global and regional, for and in important bilateral relationships.'

The Office, which is headed by Retired Admiral Dennis Blair, in its annual threat assessment report submitted to the US Congress, said, "In multi-lateral groupings such as G-20 and the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change, India has reaffirmed its support for various strategic outcomes participating nations' hope to achieve in specific negotiations, even though India's near- to mid-term negotiating positions are reflective of unilateral targets and goals.'

It said that 'India's recent decision to participate in the April 2010 Global Security Summit,' hosted by the White House, which would be attended by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, 'signals a continuation of this trend, as New Delhi is likely to pursue long-term goals to diminish the numbers and role of nuclear weapons in global security even as the country remains steadfast in its refusal to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.'

The report said that 'as one of the engines of the global economy, India continues to demonstrate the potential for strong growth in 2010,' and pointed out that 'since its return to power in the May 2009 national elections, the United Progressive Alliance-led government has also begun efforts to improve regional relationships through advocacy of greater economic links among South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation nations and successful bilateral meetings such as the January 2010 state visit to India by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hassina.'

"India's political leaders, moreover, have publicly declared that the continuing rise of China and India on the global, political and economic stages is not a harbinger of automatic conflict, but rather a constructive challenge to India's economic rise and an opportunity for innovation and collaboration by two strong powers," the ODNI report added.

The report pointed out that Prime Minister Singh during his state visit to the US in November at the invitation of US President Barack Obama had noted that "the world should 'prepare for the rise of China as a major power,' referencing ongoing territorial disputes between the two countries for example, but also stating that engagement with China was the 'right strategy' for India."

However, the report said that India's relationship with Pakistan 'remains stalled in the aftermath of the November 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai, conducted by groups operating from Pakistani soil.'

It further noted, "Indian leaders have stated repeatedly that Pakistani efforts to prosecute those individuals who are charged with involvement in the 26/11 attacks are the sine qua non for resuming broad dialogue with Pakistan on other significant bilateral issues, including Kashmir.'

The report also said that PM Singh 'has also publicly reaffirmed two additional, critical points, vis-à-vis Pakistan: that India does not want to see the country fail and that Pakistan is engaged in efforts to combat the Taliban operating on Pakistani territory.'

On Afghanistan, it spoke of New Delhi envisaging 'a stable, friendly Afghanistan as crucial to India's security,' but taking a 'measured approach to its assistance to Kabul.'

The report said that 'Indian leaders have underscored their desire to help re-establish a viable civil society in Afghanistan under a strong democratic government that is representative of all ethnic groups in Afghanistan.'

In this regard, it pointed to India is 'implementing bilateral civilian assistance programs and   reconstruction aid,' which has already exceeded $1.2 billion, and that New Delhi 'probably interprets recent public polling in Afghanistan which indicates that Afghan citizens are favourably disposed towards India's role in that country as a positive endorsement of Indian activities to date.'

The report said that while 'India's open assistance programs to date provide only non-combat aid, there is some discussion in the media about the fact that India is interested in providing more training to Afghan security forces on a cost-effective basis as part of its human capacity building programs.'

This has been confirmed by senior diplomatic officials in Washington, DC who have said that India if need be stands ready to provide Afghan police with training and apparently this willingness has been conveyed to the Obama administration.

However, it said Pakistani paranoia over India's engagement even in this reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan, particularly in its infrastructure development, is palpable.

"The government of Pakistan remains concerned that India is using its presence in Afghanistan as a cover for actions that may be destabilising to Pakistan itself,' the report said.