战略与国际研究中心-New-Years-Predictions,-Resolutions,-and-Recommendations_3页_295kb

U.S.-India Insight Summary

Core Content

This document, U.S.-India Insight Vol. 2, Issue 1 (January 2012), authored by Amb. Karl F. Inderfurth and others, provides an analysis of the U.S.-India relationship in the context of the new year. It outlines key challenges and opportunities for strengthening bilateral ties in 2012, emphasizing the need for sustained cooperation despite domestic political gridlock and economic uncertainties.

Main Views

The article highlights that both the U.S. and India face internal challenges, including:

• Political gridlock: Neither country has passed significant legislation in recent years, and both are entering election cycles.
• Economic challenges: India's economy is growing but faces issues such as corruption and a slow pace of reform. The U.S. also has a "patchy economic record" and is dealing with partisan politics.
• Diplomatic focus: Despite these challenges, the U.S. and India have opportunities to advance their relationship through strategic collaboration and incremental progress.

Key Recommendations

The document presents three New Year's Resolutions and five New Year's Recommendations to enhance U.S.-India ties in 2012:

Three New Year's Resolutions

1. Deepen existing initiatives: Focus on consolidating and implementing current cooperation programs, which include 21 formal dialogues or working groups.
2. Don't mistake "not now" for "never": Acknowledge that some economic reforms, such as opening the retail market and addressing liability issues in the nuclear sector, may take time but are essential.
3. Think beyond capital "beltways": Encourage state and business-level engagement to complement federal-level interactions and boost bilateral cooperation.

Five New Year's Recommendations

1. Agree on a bilateral investment treaty (BIT): Accelerate BIT negotiations to protect U.S. businesses and enhance economic ties with India.
2. Get moving on infrastructure: Leverage India's $1 trillion infrastructure investment plan to promote U.S. infrastructure exports and collaboration.
3. Accelerate India's social and economic development: Focus on education cooperation, including the U.S.-India Higher Education Summit and community college partnerships.
4. Strengthen the strategic partnership: Intensify cooperation in areas such as Afghanistan, the Middle East, the South China Sea, and Myanmar.
5. Reinforce the narrative: Highlight the positive trajectory of the U.S.-India relationship and its bipartisan support, while also addressing the need for continued dialogue and collaboration.

Opportunities in Myanmar

The article emphasizes that 2012 could be a pivotal year for U.S.-India cooperation with Myanmar, given the country's political and economic reforms. Both countries have shown interest in engaging with Myanmar, particularly in areas of strategic interest such as:

• Infrastructure development
• Counterterrorism
• Military-to-military relations
• Science and technology training

The U.S. and India have the potential to work closely on Myanmar's transition, supporting its strategic flexibility and economic development in Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

The U.S.-India relationship, though challenged by internal political and economic issues, remains a strategic and economic partnership with significant potential. The document advocates for a focus on consolidation, implementation, and incremental progress to ensure that the relationship continues to grow and strengthen in 2012 and beyond.

Contributors

• Amb. Karl F. Inderfurth – Senior Advisor & Chair
• Persis Khambatta – Fellow
• S. Amer Latif – Visiting Fellow
• Nicholas Lombardo – Program Coordinator
• Ketan Thakkar, Bharat Vasudevan, Ritika Bhaskar – Intern Scholars

This publication is produced by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a nonpartisan, nonprofit research institution based in Washington, D.C.