Obama was the fifth US president to visit India. Significantly, the US has made a broad strategic shift towards India over the past decade. It began during the second term of Clinton but accelerated dramatically under Bush. While Bill Clinton's visit deepened the ties, George W Bush's visit was a deal making one when the Indo US nuclear deal was finalized.

Obama's three- day trip this week has taken the Indo-US ties to a different level even as the two neighbors — China and Pakistan were watching closely. The very fact that he made it during his first term is in itself a positive diplomatic symbolism.

Unlike his predecessors, Obama did not come to India to distribute largesse. The relationship is seen as more of two powers, though unequal, wanting something from each other. India is one of the fast growing economies and US sees it as an engine for its own economic revival.

There are many reasons for this change. The major reason is: India is growing fast at a rate of 8.5 per cent, its economy did not suffer despite the global recession, there is growing number of middle class who is attractive to a foreign investor, there is democracy, there is a stable government and above all, there are more prosperous rich Americans of Indian origin who are getting into prominent positions even in the Obama Administration. Above all, the US sees India as a power to counter the growing might of China.

Obama had come to India to seek Indian investment and concluded a whopping 10 billion dollar business deals in Mumbai. He was frank when he said he could go back and tell them that India was not taking away the American jobs but had given 50,000 jobs. It was important for the US President battered by the humiliating mid-term poll results.

Secondly, the ties have grown beyond business and trade as Obama himself acknowledged that “India is not emerging but it has emerged.” The result is that the power equation between the two had become less equal. Other countries have risen but India's rise is somewhat different.

Thirdly, the US needs a partner like India in Asia because of its strategic location. With the growing clout of China and the strained relationship between the US and China, befriending India to counter China is part of Obama Administration's strategy. Obama's suggestion to “Look East” is significant.

Fourthly, as Obama mentioned in his Parliament speech there is bi partisan support in the US for India. Similarly, there is continuity in foreign policy as both parties - Congress and the BJP - agree on a pro US stand.

Fifthly, Obama has been able to convince the Indian hawks that he is as committed as Bush in strengthening the strategic partnership with India.

On the whole there is more plus than the minus on the Obama visit for India. The US got something and India got something. The Americans wanted three defence agreements but did not get it. Secondly, they were apprehensive of the provisions of the civil nuclear bill but India has made it clear that it cannot be amended now. On business and trade there was forward movements.

New Delhi had a fairly long wish list including outsourcing, HI B visas, aid to Pakistan, bigger role in Afghanistan but not much had been achieved. In his nuanced speech to Parliament Obama raised hopes by talking of welcoming India “in the years ahead” as a permanent member of a reformed UN Security Council. However his endorsement was conditional on India conducting itself “responsibly”. Significantly, he did not promise that the US would push for India to get the seat soon nor there is any hope of the US pushing for UN reforms.

On Pakistan, New Delhi expected Obama to use tough language. India could not have ignored the massive largesse that the Obama administration announced for Pakistan. However, Obama talked mostly about encouraging dialogue between the two neighbors but made it clear that he “continues to insist to Pakistan's leaders that the terrorists behind the Mumbai attack should be brought to justice.” He also made the right noises about Kashmir and Afghanistan.

Now that the visit is over, it is for both New Delhi and Washington to take it further. Obama visit makes it clear that that the ties between the two could become deeper and broader. More than business deals it is the strategic ties, which are important. The American companies are keen to get business worth US $ 45 billion that India may spend on its defence purchases and India wants high tech. On the trade side, it can grow much further from the present $ 50 billion Indian Investment in the US. As the economic relationship deepens investment from India contributes to the growth and vibrancy of the American economy. Over the last decade, investment capital from India grew at an annualized rate of 53 percent reaching an estimated $4.4 billion in 2009.The US on the other hand, would want a bigger role in Asia , bigger business from Indian defence market, access to the Indian market, and a prominent role in the Indian civilian nuclear market. A momentum has been created and it is for India to seize the opportunity for a bigger role. (IPA Service)