NARENDRA Modi has come a long way from the time he was denied a US visa for his role in the Gujarat pogrom. Times have changed. He is now the prime minister of a country that the US wants to build as a counterweight to rising China. The US has honoured him, with his state visit and address to the US Congress. It believes India can serve as Washington’s ally in its competition with China. But while India has welcomed its growing ties with the US, it appears that it is not looking for any alliance with it and wants to keep its options open.
The Indian leadership appreciates that the US is still the most eminent military and economic power, and that India has much to gain in terms of defence deals and technologies. Indian military capabilities have already been bolstered by bilateral agreements allowing the use of each other’s military logistics (LEMOA), compatibility of encrypted communication equipment (COMCASA), and exchange of geospatial intelligence (BECA). During Modi’s recent visit to Washington, the US agreed to sell armed drones and manufacture GE engines in India.