The hope of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s American visit will bear significant results is too early to speculate. No doubt Modi’s interaction with Chinese and Japanese Heads of State has shown the world that he is ready to take on global majors so is a sea change in the foreign policy perception. Some of the initiatives are laudable such as focus on neighbourhood with first visit to Nepal, Bhutan, development of relations with Australia and securing the release of nurses from the clutches of ISIS in Iraq. However Modi’s dealing with Pakistan and China, the two vital factors, remained much wanting. The policy towards Pakistan transparently lacked strategic focus. Kashmir always remained the centre point of Indo-Pak relations. India has been putting up a strong posture in the face of constant ceasefire violation and has been emphasising that peace on the border is a precondition for normalisation of relations. But in reality the number of ceasefire violations increased which resulted in calling of Foreign Secretary level talks which remained suspended since 2013.The proposed parleys were later cancelled because of the Pak High Commissioner meeting Hurriyat leaders. From the bonhomie during Modi’s swearing-in ceremony the pendulum has swung much wider. The visit of Chinese President Xi Jingping’s visit too had the border becoming tense with PLA making incursion in Ladakh and earlier when the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang came visiting in 2013, China came out with a map showing all of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory. The quick succession of foreign visits and meeting the powerful Heads of States is no indication of India’s successful foreign policy. The US visit of Modi will have contentious issues like dealing with ISIS, threat of al-Qaida and consequence of withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan. Yet Modi needs American support if he is going to move forward with his vision of expanding India’s infrastructure, building “smart” cities and transforming the railway system. Modi must convince foreign investors that India, so long a difficult place to do business, is on the path to change.
