Editorial: New Era With India: Alliance, while vital, has its share of challenges
Dallas Morning News, March 2, 2006

Name the forces that will shape the world of the 21st century: economic globalization, democracy vs. dictatorship, the emergence of Asia, the role of Islam, the centrality of information technology, nuclear proliferation, global warming. The one spot on the map where they all converge is India.

That's why President Bush's visit this week to the world's largest democracy – projected to end the century as its most populous nation – is more than an exotic photo op. In the decades to come, America's relationship with India is certain to be very important. It is also likely to be somewhat tricky.

As two English-speaking former British colonies with deeply rooted democratic traditions and strong IT sectors, the nations have deep natural affinities. But their differences – one poor, the other rich; one East, the other West; one hemmed by potential enemies, the other nestled between allies; one bidding for a place at the table, the other firmly ensconced at the head of the table – shape their strategic agendas and complicate their dealings.

Take the nuclear issue, which is at the forefront as Mr. Bush embarks on his three-day visit. The president recently offered India what amounts to full membership in the world's nuclear club, contingent on India agreeing to play by established rules. Those rules include separating its civilian and military nuclear programs and submitting to international inspections of the latter.

In one sense, the gambit merely recognizes reality: India has for some years possessed nuclear weapons. But the gambit could make it harder to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions, sending the message that, if Iran can only gain nuclear capability, the world will acquiesce.

The U.S. also sees India as a welcome counterweight to China's growing clout. But India, which leaned toward the Soviets in the Cold War, is by no means willing to be merely an American proxy in the region.

Economically, India's robust expansion augurs well for U.S. companies; a decade ago, India began lowering barriers to foreign investment. The growth of the Indian middle class will cement democracy and, if it touches all ethnic groups, can take the edge off sectarian resentments. Ideally, India will parallel the United States as a strong, secular democracy in which diverse religious traditions can thrive. Such societies are the world's greatest bulwark against the spread of terrorism.

So, Americans can welcome Mr. Bush's visit as the overdue acknowledgment of a key global partner. But we must not be naïve; building a strategic alliance will require not just good will but also nuanced diplomacy.The Washington Bureau's Bob Hillman shares stories behind the president's trip.