The importance of the ongoing dialogue between the US Deputy Secretary of State, Mr Strobe Talbott, and the Prime Minister's special envoy, Mr Jaswant Singh, lies in the atmosphere of cordiality it has been able to generate between India and America. This in itself is an important step forward since the ties between the two countries had gone sour after the Pokhran blasts on May 11 and 13. The latest round of discussions in New Delhi was the third in the series after those at Washington and Frankfurt. The fourth round of talks is scheduled to take place in the second half of August. India and the USA have still a long way to go. Looking at the divergent views of the two countries on several sensitive matters, a breakthrough will not be easy. Much will depend on American attitude. What is, however, noteworthy is that the dialogue is moving on the "right track" and is said to be "constructive" and "positive in tone". In a way, the talks so far have been exploratory in nature, with each side stating its position in clear and categorical terms. The problem with Indo-American relations is that Washington has been indifferent to Indian sensitivities. The USA has overlooked the fact that Indian defence and nuclear capability is based on its threat perception vis-a-vis China and Pakistan. It is, therefore, necessary for US policy-makers to stop equating India with Pakistan. They should also stop thinking that India is some Central American banana republic which will be cowed down by threats.
There are, however, positive straws in the wind. There seems to be some appreciation of India's compulsion and the position it has taken on the CTBT and other related matters. True, India will have to play its card very carefully in the coming weeks. For this, Indian diplomacy will have to evolve a clear strategy with specified goals. It is no secret that New Delhi in the past lost considerable negotiating leverage since it did not appear to be moving on the basis of a well-considered strategy. We expect Washington to appreciate the fact that the China-Pakistan axis is a major factor in India's "strategic calculus". The USA also must acknowledge the problems created by terrorist violence engineered by Pakistan. In fact, any dialogue with Pakistan will be futile unless it stops its terrorist activity in Jammu and Kashmir. This point was effectively hammered at by former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral when the US delegation met him on Monday. Equally vital from Indian point of view is Washington's fair play. Any discrimination between India and Pakistan in the enforcement of sanctions will only be counter-productive.
It is necessary that India and the USA should begin to appreciate each other's position and try to reconcile the sharply divergent views. This is surely a difficult task but not impossible. Much will depend on American attitude. Washington would do well to remember that its attempts to force the Kashmir issue back on the international agenda have the potential "to unravel" the entire framework of talks going on between the two countries. Perhaps, the USA is looking at the Kashmir issue as a lever to force Indian concessions on the nuclear issue. But it would be sensible for the USA "to unbundle" the nuclear and Kashmir issues. If the USA is able to keep aside the Kashmir issue, it will be possible to achieve a breakthrough in strategic areas. It is for Washington to make Pakistan see reason and encourage New Delhi and Islamabad to sort out the Kashmir question bilaterally in accordance with the Simla agreement. An understanding and responsive America can indeed change the dynamics of relations in South Asia and put Indo-US ties on an even keel. Viewed in this light, the next round of talks in Washington will be crucial.

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Courtesy: The Tribune: July 22, 1998