Whatever the expectations from the visit for its domestic concerns, some well-grounded, India is also being called upon, along with other major emerging economies, to step up to their share of responsibilities in meeting global challenges including climate change. Globalisation, extolled for their growth, now inevitably draws these aspiring global powers to certain global obligations.

President Barack Obama admires India which “peacefully threw off colonialism and established a thriving democracy of over a billion people”, as he spoke of his upcoming Asian journey in his address to the UN General Assembly on September 23, and Washington looks forward to the President taking this “indispensable partnership” to the next level.

A series of Indian Ministerial-level discussions in Washington in September has helped to clear the decks for the President's visit, sorting out geopolitical issues and bilateral economic and defence-related matters which would get reflected in the outcome document. In Washington, the Obama visit to India is regarded as of “transformational” significance.

President Obama's talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, for whom he has great admiration, will cover a wide canvas extending beyond issues of relevance in the bilateral relationship, as the President values the Prime Minister's sound assessments on issues of global economy. Closely following the President's visit is the G-20 Summit which both will attend in Seoul on November 10-11.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has noted ahead of the Obama visit that the world's two leading democracies have “a very large convergence of fundamental values and broad range of both national and regional interests”. Of utmost concern from India's security standpoint is the ongoing US-led war on terrorism on Pak-Afghan border, the apparent unwillingness of Pakistan's civil-military complex to go the whole-hog in fighting Taliban terrorism, despite billions of dollars of military and economic assistance continually poured into Pakistan over the years, and President Obama's own decision to begin a transition of gradual withdrawal from the conflict zone in July 2011.

India has a vital stake in the peaceful evolution of Afghanistan, close to its border, as an independent, sovereign and non-aligned nation. Traditional friendship of the two nations apart, India has been involved in the economic development of Afghanistan for some years extending assistance in several projects with an expenditure of over 1.4 billion dollars so far. Responding to India's concerns, a White House spokesman said Afghan-Pak developments, how they are inter-related in that area of Asia, particularly with India, would be “a big focus of what the President will discuss with the Prime Minister”.

Politically, foremost in India's calculations would also be backing from the United States for its claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, already supported by some of the major European allies of USA. Ms. Clinton is on record that USA has to play a role in reforming UN and “favours” the Security Council reform that “enhances the UN's overall performance and effectiveness and efficiency”. She has, however, cited the difficulty so far, for the 192 member-states to achieve a consensus on institutional reform including especially reform of the Security Council.

India is a votary of an equitable world order with effective voice and representation for developing nations in relation to their size, economic strength and role in the international system. Re-shaping of the global architecture is likely to figure in the Obama-Manmohan Singh exchanges. They will go cover the G-20 agenda issues such as global financial regulatory reforms, stability of the banking system across countries, progress in rebalancing of economies to reduce global imbalances, getting accentuated by exchange rate policies of some countries, (such as China and Japan), and greater voice in decision-making for emerging economies in international financial institutions.

At the bilateral level, India's concerns over restrictions on outsourcing by US companies and the steep rise in H1B visa fees have been partially alleviated as the Senate voted down a measure related to outsourcing. India expects some easing of curbs on export of high-tech items by USA following a review ordered by President Obama. US nuclear industry's concern over the terms of the recently enacted Indian law on liability in the event of accident also figured in bilateral discussions in Washington. It would be left to the US exporters of nuclear equipment and the Indian co. (Nuclear Power Corporation) to settle the matter in whatever way possible.

Trade, investment, agriculture and education are among other areas of cooperation where new thrusts are expected to emerge from the US President's visit. Washington is also pressing major emerging economies to announce their plans for reduction of carbon emissions in the run-up to the next conference of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Cancun (Mexico) in December.

Unlike the Bush era, the Obama Administration accepts the centrality of UN among global institutions. At the same time, it recognizes that the current limitations of UN have to be overcome with reform of its institutions, operations and management to prevent waste and fraud. Outside the UN, the Obama Administration initiated a process of re-engagement with all nations in moves designed to restore its leadership in a globally changing world. Over the last 18 months, it has revived the European Alliance, re-set relations with Russia, established a strategic and economic dialogue with China, and as part of President Obama's outreach to the Muslim World, intensified efforts for Middle East peace settlement, leading to the formation of an independent states of Palestine, alongside Israel.

India must also be watching with interest how the Obama Administration has been moving to strengthen US presence in the Asia-Pacific region, not only consolidating existing alliances with Korea (South) and Japan, but also forging stronger economic and political relationships with ASEAN, becoming the latest addition to the East Asian Community. President Obama conferred with ASEAN leaders in New York on Sep.25.

America should no longer be seen “absent” in the area, as the White House points out, in a situation of growing assertiveness by a militarily powerful China and concerns among smaller nations. US has taken the stand that disputes involving China and some South East Asian countries on exploration in South China Sea should be resolved under the international maritime law. It is also keen to safeguard freedom of navigation of the seas. Secretary Clinton will initiate US participation in the forthcoming EA Summit in Hanoi at the end of October 2010. President Obama plans to attend the next summit in Jakarta in 2011.

The New Delhi visit of President Obama will be the first on a four-nation tour which includes, Indonesia, the largest Muslim majority country, Korea and Japan , each of which “has given life to democratic principles in their own ways”, as the President said in his UN address. The President's trip will follow the November 2 elections which could possibly see Republicans wresting control of the Congress from Democrats, thus adding to his difficulties in grappling with economic slowdown and unemployment. (IPA Service)