- George Abrham
As far as the State visit of Prime Minister Modi is concerned, I may be one of those who have mixed feelings about its timing. I am proud that India’s Prime Minister was honored at the highest level in the United States. India, which has the fifth-largest growing economy, is also being recognized in that regard. At the same time, America is also seen as a nation that can put its ideals and principles on the back burner when it is convenient to them. If Americans think that India could be an ally in case of a US-China conflict, they are sadly mistaken. For India also, America may not be a reliable ally as they continue to supply F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, and their abrupt withdrawal from Afghanistan is still fresh in everyone’s memory. Therefore, what we have witnessed in the last few days was a marriage of convenience, and the US industry is looking for alternative space to replace China’s and having an eye toward the mushrooming middle class with enormous purchasing power. In between, they could also help Boeing and Raytheon with defense purchases, which would be a bonus, and replace Russia as their leading arms supplier. In the process, America has buried its idealism and concerns for Human rights to placate an authoritarian and religiously fundamentalist regime allowing Manipur to burn and become a killing field while raising a champagne toast welcoming Mr. Narendra Modi.
George Abraham
New York