Modi’s visit has done more favour to USA than espousing the cause of India. Trump is not known to nurse a soft corner for India, but astonishingly he tried to create the impression that he was concerned of India and its security. Though he told Modi that during his election campaign he had pledged that, if elected, India would have a true friend in the White House, his speech lacked conviction and was far from true. If he really treated himself as the friend of India, he would not have humiliated India on the issue of Paris agreement wherein he said that India was supporting the deal only for money.

Truly speaking, this was purely a marketing strategy. To market US interests he made terrorism the cornerstone of mutual cooperation between the countries. But for the Indian friends of America and the caucus, Trump’s statement went beyond the usual American position. While pulling up Pakistan, he echoed Indian concerns regarding the Chinese-led Belt and Road initiative. But the fact of the matter is USA identifying HIzbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin as global terrorist and issuing sanction against him is merely a political rhetoric. Perpetuation of its hegemony has been important for the American rulers. India has consistently been fighting the menace of terrorism, but the US never intervened in a forceful manner to ask Pakistan to refrain from the nefarious game of patronizing terrorism.

It is worth mentioning that only a month ago the UK Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn had said that the global commitment to fight terrorism has lost relevance. America has never been sincere in fighting terrorism. Trump’s reiteration to fight terrorists and not to allow them to use the Pakistani soil against India has been simply aimed at exploiting the Indian sentiments. In recent past almost all the American presidents promised to end terrorist onslaught India was facing. But none could dare to do so. The reason is that the American establishment did not allow them to fulfill their pledges.

What a paradox at a time when more than three-quarters of the world has little or no confidence in Donald Trump’s global leadership and his signature policies, with support for the American presidency collapsing fastest among America’s traditional allies in Europe, according to a new polling by the Pew Research Center, the Indian government is going all out to repose its faith in him. In many countries, support for the US president is now below that of George Bush in 2004. They describe Trump as “arrogant and dangerous”.

The polling also shows that the low level of support for the president is leading to a decline in support for wider American values. For the first time in Pew research history, most Canadians no longer regard America as a force for good in the world. Just 43 percent of Canadians have a positive view of their neighbour.

Trump has merely been concerned of the welfare of the American companies. In fact, he asked Modi to remove the barriers in the path of the American companies, so that they can export goods into Indian markets and reduce their trade deficit. This is something audacious. While he did not clarify the US position about H1B visa, he was happy that Indian Airlines has placed order for 100 new American planes, one of the largest orders of its kind, which will support thousands of American jobs. He is also planning to enter into a contract for the sale American natural gas, incidentally the proposal is right now under negotiation..

As if this is not enough, Trump is desperately trying to involve India in the North Korean crisis. Trump said: ”I also thank the Indian people for joining us in applying new sanctions against the North Korean regime.” North Korea is a new entrant into the Indo-US joint statement, in keeping with Trump’s sharp focus on curbing DPRK leader Kim Jong-Un’s nuclear and ballistic belligerence. The leaders pledged to work together to counter the DPRK’s weapons of mass destruction programmes; this is India’s strongest statement on the subject. Pakistan has helped the DPRK develop its nuclear capability and the Trump administration wants China to increase pressure on its neighbour to mend its behavior.

The joint statement said the leaders supported “bolstering regional economic connectivity through the transparent development of infrastructure and the use of responsible debt financing practices, while ensuring respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, the rule of law, and the environment,” which echoes India’s position on China-led Belt and Road initiative.

Since taking office, Modi’s government has done more to tie India’s coattails to the US political establishment than any other in India’s past. This includes signing a defence logistics agreement and entering international conventions to help allow US firms the possibility of investing in India’s nuclear market.

No doubt, global cooperation amongst the counties is essential for development and growth. But the observation of Modi, “I am very clear about the fact that India's interests lie in a strong, and prosperous, and successful America” is really intriguing. It is beyond comprehension why India should tag with US and be reliant on America. Modi said, “I am sure that the convergence between my vision for a "new India and President Trump's vision for "making America great again" will add new dimensions to our cooperation’. But an ordinary Indian would certainly like to know what the point of convergence is. It is merely utopian to think that India has any correlation with Trump’s concept.

The strengthening of India’s defence capabilities, with the help of USA, is something that has been a highly debated issue. Much against the desire of the experts and countrymen, the Modi government entered into logistic deal with America and provided space to its army. The Indian rulers have also decided to enhance maritime security cooperation between the two nations. While India has opened up its market and door to the US entry, it is sad that America has not even bothered to facilitate India’s entry into the NSG. While its allies opposed, Obama looked other way. America never supported India’s membership of international institutions and regimes.

The Trump administration says it wants to provide India with improved defence technology. The State Department on Monday approved the $365 million sale of a C-17 military transport aircraft to India. The administration is also set to offer a $2 billion sale of US-made unarmed drones to help in surveillance of the Indian Ocean.

Nevertheless, the joint statement of 2017 continues previous references to “a growing strategic convergence” bolstered by military, maritime and intelligence cooperation. In addition, while India has yet to commit to buying Predator drones, a sale of 22 Guardian drones was cleared by the US Cabinet last week. Trump said he was “pleased” that India buys US defence products.

Last year’s statement had the same wording when it came to “strengthening cooperation against terrorist threats from extremist groups, such as Al-Qa’ida, Jaish-e Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, and their affiliates. Virtually there is no change in the word and narrative. It points to the American attitude and approach towards India. The leaders called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries. They further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups. (IPA Service)