September 23, 2014

PM Narendra Modi's visit, a chance to progress on key Indo-US issues: Think tank

Featuring: Richard Fontaine

Source: The Economic Times

Journalist: PTI

WASHINGTON: Underlining that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit presents an opportunity for progress on key issues in Indo-US ties, a top American think tank has said the two countries must ensure that it is the beginning of "renewed attention" towards each other than a one-off attempt.
"Once the pomp and ceremony of the visit have passed, the two countries must ensure that it does not represent a one-off attempt but rather the beginning of renewed attention to a relationship that requires constant tending," said Richard Fontaine, president of the Center for a New American Security.
Fontaine, in a new policy brief titled "Seizing the Modi Moment: Reenergising US-India Ties on the Eve of the Prime Minister's Visit", has offered a series of concrete recommendations including completing Bilateral Investment Treaty negotiations and jump-starting trade liberalisation talks.
He recommends complete implementation of the civil nuclear agreement, renew and expand the Defense Framework Agreement and deepen regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, including through dialogue on post-2016 Afghanistan and by reviving the US-India-Japan-Australia Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.
 

Author

  • Richard Fontaine

    Chief Executive Officer

    Richard Fontaine is the chief executive officer of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). He served as president of CNAS from 2012–19 and as senior fellow from 2009–12...