What they said, and what it meant

The joint statement issued after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama's first-ever summit is high on intent and ambition.

Notably missing from the statement is India's refusal to be America's partner in its war against ISIS.

Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com in Washington, DC, explains what the leaders discussed.



Chalein Saath Saath

In tune with the new mantra, Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together We Go, the joint statement says, 'Prime Minister Modi emphasised the priority India accords to its partnership with the United States, a principal partner in the realisation of India's rise as a responsible, influential world power.'

Modi's visit was neither a game-changer for India's businesses nor historic enough to change the course of the strategic relationship.

However, the statement surely lists of deliverables. Who knows, Modi may actually act and act fast to see that he exploits Obama's promised backing in his developmental march.

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On Iran, Syria, North Korea...

The joint statement says 'India and the United States pledged to consult closely on global crises, especially unfolding events in Syria and Iraq. The two leaders committed to exchange information about nationals returning from these conflict zones, and to seek cooperation in protecting and responding to the needs of civilians stranded in the middle of these conflicts.'

On Iran's nuclear programme, the statement says, 'They stressed the need for diplomacy to resolve the serious concerns of the international community regarding Iran's nuclear programme, and called on Iran to comply with its UN Security Council-imposed obligations and to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency.'

This is nothing new. Then prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh has been saying this when he visited America on his State visits.

Further, the statement says on North Korea, 'The two leaders expressed concerns over the continued development by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, including its uranium enrichment activities. They urged DPRK to take concrete actions toward denuclearisation and other goals, as well as to comply fully with all its international obligations, including all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and to fulfil its commitments under the 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks.'

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Taking a stand on China

The joint statement says: 'The Prime Minister and the President reaffirmed their shared interest in preserving regional peace and stability, which are critical to the Asia Pacific region's continued prosperity. The leaders expressed concern about rising tensions over maritime territorial disputes, and affirmed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region, especially in the South China Sea.'

Naming the South China Sea is quite an emphatic thing to do for India even as the ink on the few agreements signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping's India visit is yet to dry.

India carving out a fresh relationship with China under Modi's leadership and at the same time joining hands with America explicitly over the South China Sea suggests that Modi spoke extensively with Obama about the regional situation.

The joint statement says: 'The Prime Minister and President called on all parties to avoid the use, or threat of use, of force in advancing their claims. The two leaders urged the concerned parties to pursue resolution of their territorial and maritime disputes through all peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.'

This is what India has been saying for long. But against the backdrop of the Chinese leader's recent visit, the India-US joint statement suggests that things didn't go well between Modi and Xi in New Delhi.

The joint statement suggests that Modi's views and approach on Iran, North Korea, the South China Sea and Afghanistan are not much different from Dr Manmohan Singh.

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Terrorism: It's more pronounced now

The joint statement says: 'The leaders reaffirmed their deep concern over the continued threat posed by terrorism, most recently highlighted by the dangers presented by the ISIL, and underlined the need for continued comprehensive global efforts to combat and defeat terrorism. The leaders stressed the need for joint and concerted efforts, including the dismantling of safe havens for terrorist and criminal networks, to disrupt all financial and tactical support for networks such as Al Qaeda, Lashkar-e Tayiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, the D-Company, and the Haqqanis. They reiterated their call for Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai to justice.'

Modi did not play ball in the manner the Americans would have liked him to. The joint statement says limited things cautiously about India's version about its fight against ISIS.

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WTO: More communication needed
The joint statement says: 'The leaders discussed their concerns about the current impasse in the World Trade Organisation and its effect on the multilateral trading system, and directed their officials to consult urgently along with other WTO members on the next steps. The leaders committed to work through the Trade Policy Forum to promote a business environment attractive for companies to invest and manufacture in India and in the United States.'

It means that India may not change its stand, but there can be ironing out of differences.

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Civil nuclear programme: Let's go on to do business quickly

The joint statement says: 'The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to implement fully the US-India civil nuclear cooperation agreement. They established a Contact Group on advancing the implementation of civil nuclear energy cooperation in order to realise early their shared goal of delivering electricity from US-built nuclear power plants in India.'

'They looked forward to advancing the dialogue to discuss all implementation issues, including but not limited to administrative issues, liability, technical issues, and licensing to facilitate the establishment of nuclear parks, including power plants with Westinghouse and GE-Hitachi technology.'

The mention of these two companies in a joint statement is unusual. It shows the more than normal clout they enjoy over the Obama and the Modi administrations.

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Energy partnership: Old wine in new bottle

The joint statement says: 'Recognising the critical importance of increasing energy access, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving resilience in the face of climate change, President Obama and Prime Minister Modi agreed to a new and enhanced strategic partnership on energy security, clean energy, and climate change.'

'They agreed to strengthen and expand the highly successful US-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE) through a series of priority initiatives, including a new Energy Smart Cities Partnership to promote efficient urban energy infrastructure; a new programme to scale-up renewable energy integration into India's power grid.'

In other words, it means that business in the energy sector worth millions of dollars is waiting to be exploited. At the highest level, Modi has ensured that the processes will be smoothened.

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Defence ties: Looking for joint production

The joint statement says: 'To facilitate deeper defence cooperation, they welcomed the decision to renew for ten more years the 2005 Framework for the US-India Defence Relationship and directed their defence teams to develop plans for more ambitious programmes and activities. The two leaders also agreed to reinvigorate the Political-Military Dialogue and expand its role to serve as a wider dialogue on export licensing, defence cooperation and strategic cooperation.'

'The leaders welcomed the first meeting under the framework of the Defence Trade and Technology Initiative in September 2014 and endorsed its decision to establish a Task Force to expeditiously evaluate and decide on unique projects and technologies which would have a transformative impact on bilateral defence relations and enhance India's defence industry and military capabilities.'

Importantly, Modi has continued with Dr Manmohan Singh's broader policy. Modi and Obama have agreed to look for mutually-agreeable items to produce in India. This is not an easy task and will take its own time.

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Digital partnership

The joint statement says: 'The President welcomed India's proposal to establish the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN, or Knowledge) under which India would invite and host up to 1,000 American academics each year to teach in centrally-recognised Indian Universities, at their convenience.'

The joint statement's importance will enhance many times if Modi can expedite the processes to achieve the intent expressed in Washington.

America was talking to Dr Singh more or less on the same lines but he could not put things on the fast track.

Can Modi deliver on time?

To convert the hype of the joint statement into substantive achievement, Modi will have to act as soon as he lands in New Delhi.