Jan26,2015, , President Barack Obama became the first U.S. president to
preside as the chief guest at India’s annual Republic Day celebrations.
What does this mean for U.S.-India relations? Coming on the heels of
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s successful visit to the U.S. last
September, Obama’s latest trip to New Delhi reiterates the intention of
friendship on both sides. Marked by drift and disagreement less than a
year ago, ties between the world’s largest democracy and the world’s
oldest democracy are now on the upswing.
So what was achieved on this visit? Three signs show growing optimism for this partnership.
First, Obama’s visit was marked by strong symbolism. He is not only the
first U.S. president to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day – a
grand celebration of India’s democratic constitution and military might –
but also the only U.S. president to visit India twice. Obama even moved
the date of his State of the Union address just so he could accept
Modi’s invitation. Breaking from New Delhi’s obsolete foreign policy of
nonalignment, Modi’s invitation to Obama signals that India is unafraid
to show that a closer U.S.-India partnership is in India’s national
interest. Dismissing protocol, Modi received Obama at the airport with a
warm bear hug. Both leaders announced a string of agreements, jointly
addressed the Indian masses on national radio (another first time for a
U.S. president visiting India), and engaged with top business leaders.
Finally, the signing of the Delhi Declaration of Friendship clearly
highlighted their common goals and commitments.