â??Indo-US Military Relations; Expectations and Perceptions,â?? a study by the US defense department has raised some very pertinent questions about Indo-US military relations.? The report, a 176-page document, is a comprehensive analysis of military-to-military cooperation against the backdrop of the political and economic canvass of the Indian subcontinent. The report outlines the USâ??s strategic concerns and how India serves them.

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Indiaâ??s strategic location in the center of Asia, gives the US â??closer access to areas of instability." Access to Indian military infrastructure will give the US a â??strategic hedgeâ?? against the volatility of Asia. The US is looking for a â??neutral territoryâ?? on the opposite side of the world that can provide ports and support for operations in the Middle East.? The Indian Navy is rated operationally high, capable of providing necessary support like it did during the 1991 Gulf War and during Operation Enduring Freedom when its ships provided escorts to merchant vessels from the northern Arabian Sea till the Straits of Malacca. American occupation of Iraq, their targeting â??the axis of evilâ?? and the rise of China as a â??peer competitorâ?? has shifted US military concern from Europe to Asia. America sees India either as an ally of China or a counterweight to it. In addition, its presence here facilitates domination of the Indian Ocean.

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There has been considerable warming of relations between the US and India since 1998. Perhaps the turning point was the Kargil war where the US sided, for the first time, with India against Pakistan. This resulted in increased military-to-military cooperation.? The two countries have conducted many joint military exercises, including Indian paratroopers working with their counterparts in Alaska, and joint military airlift operations in Agra where the Indians were surprised by the Americansâ?? routine airlift capability, which is far more than our strategic capability. There were also the Shanti Path 2003 joint peacekeeping exercises, and the latest being Indian and US troops training in dense jungles and learning to flush terrorists out of their hideouts. There is also another joint air exercise being planned in Alaska.

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Why is America so desperate to seek military-to-military cooperation with India? The Indian military is highly capable, well-trained and potential partners, with sophisticated tactics, operational training, and high level of technology. Despite resource constraints, India offers geographically, a vast variety of landscapes from plains to deserts to jungles and high-altitude and snow-clad mountains.?

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American defense forces are essentially trained for an interventionist role and would like to train in terrain that is akin to their areas of operations. Apart from dominating Asia, the containment of China is also factored into their strategic concerns. While the Pentagon is reconsidering its strategies to deal with terrorism, it is still worried about a rising China, which represents the most significant threat to the US, both economically and militarily. The Bush administration would like India to emerge as a counterweight to China. Americans therefore, want India to view China as a common strategic threat and may not be averse to a NATO type military alliance in the region to deal with China.

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The most compelling strategic reason for the spurt in military-to-military cooperation is that by inviting India, the US is sending out a stern message to its rivals in NATO that it can do without them and that it can find new geopolitical allies. The message is for Germany and France, the big two of old Europe. Besides, if China and a resurgent Russia join hands to check US expansionism, the US will expect India to play a camp follower. There is no doubt that the US is trying to build up support against China, France and Russia who all strongly favor a multipolar economic and strategic order. With Japan, Canada and UK already in their orbit, Indiaâ??s joining will only strengthen the American unipolar strategy.

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Can we as a nation compromise on our principled stand of supporting a multipolar world? Such a step will antagonize our long term friend Russia. It will also not go down well with Chinese either with whom we are in the active process of improving relations. It is equally important to neutralize the nuisance value of the US in the context of the current thaw and prospects of peace with Pakistan.

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Military relationships should, axiomatically result in shared technology. For a military relationship to endure, strong economic ties are imperative. Only strong and lasting economic relationship, based on a shared vision can insulate America and India from political changes in either country. We must strive for a balanced perspective and make it a two-way relationship wherein both sides gain not only in operational experience but also in technologies. We must also impress on the US to sponsor our case for a permanent seat at the Security Council of the UN. The two democracies, one the oldest and the other the largest, must inspire each other and not overawe others.