India-US partnership is a factor of peace

13^th September 2018, Visakhapatnam: Relations between India and USA today are the best they have ever particularly India-US partnership today is a factor of peace, security, stability, prosperity, and well-being in Asia and the world, observed by former Ambassador of India (Kazakhstan, Sweden & Latvia) Ashok Sajjanhar on September 10, 2018. He delivered a distinguished lecture on “India-US Relations: A Burgeoning Partnership” arranged by Ministry of External Affairs at GITAM Deemed to be University at School of International Business.

He said that initially there was some apprehension when President Trump took charge about a year and a half ago that his lack of experience in governance and somewhat unpredictable behavior could be detrimental in the smooth and rapid development of India-US ties. These apprehensions have been found to be without basis, he added. He observed that the Trump Administration is more sensitive to India’s concerns particularly with respect to terrorism emanating from Pakistan against India and Afghanistan and Trump has been tough against safe havens for terrorists in Pakistan, not only in words but also in action.

Pressure by the USA on Pakistan to take strong action against terrorists operating from its territory as enunciated in its South Asia strategy of August 2017, and withholding more than US$ 2 billion from the Coalition Support Fund are welcome moves and need to be continued, he added. He also observed that China’s efforts to build and militarize outposts in the South China Sea endanger the free flow of trade, threaten the sovereignty of other nations, and undermine regional stability. States throughout the region are calling for sustained US leadership in a collective response that upholds a regional order respectful of sovereignty and independence, added Mr. Sajjanhar.

He mentioned that the major elements of India-US partnership today are strategic cooperation in fighting terrorism in the AfPak region, cooperation in Indo-Pacific to balance China. He said that multisectoral strategic partnership based on shared values and interests is a key element of India-US partnership.

GITAM Vice-Chancellor Prof. MS Prasada Rao presided over the function. GITAM School of International Business (GSIB) In Charge Director Prof. KK Narayanan, Program Coordinator Dr. Radha Raghuramapathruni, GITAM Vice-President Prof. M Gangadhara Rao, Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. K. Sivarama Krishna and others participated in the program.