Obama's Asia trip and its repercussion
Yuba Nath Lamsal
United States President Barak Obama recently wrapped up his ten-day maiden Asia trip which has been dubbed as an image boosting initiative back home. Although Obama returned with high note of success in pursuing America's interest in Asia and bringing some jobs back home, the outcome is not as enthusiastic as it had earlier been expected. Obama's whirlwind visit of four Asian giants namely India, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea came at a time when his popularity in America was in the lowest ebb. This was also reflected in the recently held mid-term elections in which Obama's Democratic Party lost to rival Republicans in both Senate (upper chamber of Congress) and House of Representatives (lower chamber). The election was a big blow to President Obama's reforms and other policies he promised during the election last year.
There are a number of reasons for dwindling popularity of President Obama and his party. Firstly, Obama has not met with his promises made to the people during the election. The second but most important reason is the economy stupid. The US has suffered the worst economic recession in its history. Americans are increasingly worried about the growing job loss which has rendered millions Americans unemployed. Although the economic analysts have predicted recovery of American economy beginning next year, the statistics and other indicators as of now have not at all shown any promising scenario in near future. Disturbed by gloomy economic preference that would have direct bearing on his presidency and his party's political fate, President Obama planned a marketing trip to Asian economic powers with the hope of creating jobs in America and stimulating US economy.
While he struck some deals with India which are expected to create some 50,000 jobs in America and push US exports, it has raised some serious issues related to security in South Asia. Obama's choice of India as the first country of his Asia trip and his remarks he made in New Delhi have sent some jitters to India's neighbors both in South Asia and beyond. India is a regional bully and its neighbors are always skeptical about India's long-term security strategy. Not only in South Asia, India's blue-water navy has been a matter of security concern for China, Myanmar, Thailand and other East Asian countries.
Obama's hobnobbing with India is also in contradiction with the US national security strategy. One of the four key objectives of the American national security strategy is "to ensure security of the United States, its citizens and US allies and partners". The recent policy shift in South Asia is in sharp contrast to this fundamental concept and component of the US national security strategy. While the rest of South Asia remained true friends of the United States during the Cold War, India joined the club of America's enemy states—the Soviet Bloc. When the United States was fighting tooth and nail to contain Soviet misadventure, India openly and wholeheartedly backed the Soviet intervention everywhere in the world including Vietnam and Afghanistan. Worse still, New Delhi signed a long-term strategic and military alliance with the Soviet Union which was clearly targeted against the security of the United States and its allies and also the values America pursued. In contrast, all other South Asian countries strongly opposed the Soviet adventure and intervention in other countries including Cambodia and Afghanistan.
Quite opposite to what India did during the Cold War, Pakistan has remained ally of the United States since the 1950s. They stood shoulder to shoulder in the 1980s to fight the Soviet Union’s brutal occupation of Afghanistan. In Afghanistan war, Pakistan played the role of a front country which ultimately forced the Soviet troops to pullout. If Pakistan had not helped the United States, the security counter of South Asia would have been quite different. In other words, South Asia's map would not have been as it is today. The Soviet-India strategy was to gobble up the entire South Asia and promote pan Indianism in South Asia, which would not have been in the interest of South Asian countries as well as the United States and its western allies.
After 9/11 attack, the United States launched a war on terror and its first target was Taliban regime in Afghanistan as it provided shelter for Al Queda and its mastermind Osma bin Laden. Even now America is fighting a war on terror in Afghanistan. Washington is clear that this war cannot be won without the support of Pakistan and Islamabad has been providing every possible support in the US fight on terror. Despite tremendous pressure not to support the United States in the fight against Islamic fundamentalists, Pakistan has been helping the United States and is determined to wipe out terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism both in Pakistan as well as Afghanistan.
However, in return, Pakistan has got a slap on its face from the United States as Washington has signed a strategic partnership with India. This US policy shift in South Asia that attaches greater importance to alliance with India in the cost of Pakistan and other South Asian countries would prove to be America's security blunder in future. As a result, Washington may lose goodwill of other South Asian countries as well as some countries in East Asia and the Muslim world. The more and closer alliance the United States forges with India, the more it would alienate and antagonize the Muslim world. Alliance with India is often taken as an attempt to isolative Pakistan to which Muslim world attaches greater importance.
Pakistan has felt that the US-India security partnership has directly threatened Pakistan's security. Pakistan's worries are genuine as India is its biggest and the only external security threat. Pakistan had already fought three wars with India. Moreover, New Delhi has been building its military power both conventional and nuclear, which has been a cause of security concern for the entire South Asia. The economic and strategic alliance that the United States has formed with India only emboldens New Delhi to further pursue its hawkish and expansionist attitude in South Asia, which is not in the interest of the region as well the world. It would also mean that the United States has endorsed India's highhandedness in the region.
It should be noted here with high prominence that all South Asian countries have problems with India and they are facing strategic, cultural and economic threat from India. These smaller countries had been hopeful that Washington would come to their rescue in case there was any kind of intervention and attack from India. However, their hopes have now been dashed because of the alliance between India and United States. This has not only caused security concerns to South Asian countries but also has raised America's credibility in the region.
The alliance with India is against the values that the United States pursues and the world order it seeks. The US national security strategy has clearly spelled out that the United States respects the universal values both at home and abroad, which include peace, justice, human rights and political pluralism. Similarly, America seeks to build a just international order under its leadership that promotes peace, security and opportunity in the world. Although India boasts to be the largest democracy, free will, freedom of expression and peaceful and dignified life are a mirage in some parts of India and to certain section of the people. Muslims constitute more than 15 per cent population in India but they are treated as second grade citizens. Similar case is with other several ethnic people and minorities. A case in point is Kashmir, which, in fact, is boiling. Kashmiri people are fighting for their right to self determination. But India has kept Kashmir under its control at gun point. Several other ethnic communities and poor and downtrodden people are fighting a decisive struggle against the elitist system in many other states of India. But Indian government is dealing with the peaceful protests and struggle with brutal military force. This is evident that India does not qualify to be America's ally and the United States would regret in the long-run. Smaller countries in the region including Nepal are now skeptical by the growing hobnobbing between the United States and India. This shows that Obama administration is not sensitive to the concerns and worries of smaller South Asian countries. India is the stumbling block for peace in South Asia. The United States had been expected that it would play a key role in establishing sustainable peace in South Asia by using its influence to persuade India to abandon the hawkish and bullish policy in the region. Kashmir is a flashpoint of conflict in South Asia and its resolution has not been possible by India's refusal to implement the United Nations resolution that seeks impartial plebiscite in Kashmir. Obama's trip to India is, therefore, a disaster in terms of security and just order in South Asia.
His trip to East Asia, too, has not yielded desired results. The purpose with which Obama visited East Asia mainly Japan and South Korea was also defeated. Obama wanted to sign a free trade deal with South Korea but failed to take Seoul into confidence. Also the American President failed to convince the G-20 members mainly the Asian countries to back US stance on China's currency policy. Instead, the Asian economies sided with China and backed Beijing's stance on its currency policy.
On the surface, Obama's trip appears to be guided by economic interest. But security was the prime objective. The countries President Obama chose to visit has given an impression that the trip was aimed at forging an alliance against China economically and strategically and also encircling Beijing. China's spectacular economic rise accompanied by its push to develop its image as a soft power in the world has concerned and worried the United States more than any other country. China's growing clout in the international arena has already challenged American supremacy in the world. It is, therefore, the United States has now vigorously pursuing the policy to contain Beijing economically and strategically. The recent Asia visit of the American President should also be viewed against this backdrop. Although the trip was viewed as an image boosting trip, it has rather dampened the US image in the world arena in general and South Asia in particular which may reflect in US public opinion in future.
United States President Barak Obama recently wrapped up his ten-day maiden Asia trip which has been dubbed as an image boosting initiative back home. Although Obama returned with high note of success in pursuing America's interest in Asia and bringing some jobs back home, the outcome is not as enthusiastic as it had earlier been expected. Obama's whirlwind visit of four Asian giants namely India, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea came at a time when his popularity in America was in the lowest ebb. This was also reflected in the recently held mid-term elections in which Obama's Democratic Party lost to rival Republicans in both Senate (upper chamber of Congress) and House of Representatives (lower chamber). The election was a big blow to President Obama's reforms and other policies he promised during the election last year.
There are a number of reasons for dwindling popularity of President Obama and his party. Firstly, Obama has not met with his promises made to the people during the election. The second but most important reason is the economy stupid. The US has suffered the worst economic recession in its history. Americans are increasingly worried about the growing job loss which has rendered millions Americans unemployed. Although the economic analysts have predicted recovery of American economy beginning next year, the statistics and other indicators as of now have not at all shown any promising scenario in near future. Disturbed by gloomy economic preference that would have direct bearing on his presidency and his party's political fate, President Obama planned a marketing trip to Asian economic powers with the hope of creating jobs in America and stimulating US economy.
While he struck some deals with India which are expected to create some 50,000 jobs in America and push US exports, it has raised some serious issues related to security in South Asia. Obama's choice of India as the first country of his Asia trip and his remarks he made in New Delhi have sent some jitters to India's neighbors both in South Asia and beyond. India is a regional bully and its neighbors are always skeptical about India's long-term security strategy. Not only in South Asia, India's blue-water navy has been a matter of security concern for China, Myanmar, Thailand and other East Asian countries.
Obama's hobnobbing with India is also in contradiction with the US national security strategy. One of the four key objectives of the American national security strategy is "to ensure security of the United States, its citizens and US allies and partners". The recent policy shift in South Asia is in sharp contrast to this fundamental concept and component of the US national security strategy. While the rest of South Asia remained true friends of the United States during the Cold War, India joined the club of America's enemy states—the Soviet Bloc. When the United States was fighting tooth and nail to contain Soviet misadventure, India openly and wholeheartedly backed the Soviet intervention everywhere in the world including Vietnam and Afghanistan. Worse still, New Delhi signed a long-term strategic and military alliance with the Soviet Union which was clearly targeted against the security of the United States and its allies and also the values America pursued. In contrast, all other South Asian countries strongly opposed the Soviet adventure and intervention in other countries including Cambodia and Afghanistan.
Quite opposite to what India did during the Cold War, Pakistan has remained ally of the United States since the 1950s. They stood shoulder to shoulder in the 1980s to fight the Soviet Union’s brutal occupation of Afghanistan. In Afghanistan war, Pakistan played the role of a front country which ultimately forced the Soviet troops to pullout. If Pakistan had not helped the United States, the security counter of South Asia would have been quite different. In other words, South Asia's map would not have been as it is today. The Soviet-India strategy was to gobble up the entire South Asia and promote pan Indianism in South Asia, which would not have been in the interest of South Asian countries as well as the United States and its western allies.
After 9/11 attack, the United States launched a war on terror and its first target was Taliban regime in Afghanistan as it provided shelter for Al Queda and its mastermind Osma bin Laden. Even now America is fighting a war on terror in Afghanistan. Washington is clear that this war cannot be won without the support of Pakistan and Islamabad has been providing every possible support in the US fight on terror. Despite tremendous pressure not to support the United States in the fight against Islamic fundamentalists, Pakistan has been helping the United States and is determined to wipe out terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism both in Pakistan as well as Afghanistan.
However, in return, Pakistan has got a slap on its face from the United States as Washington has signed a strategic partnership with India. This US policy shift in South Asia that attaches greater importance to alliance with India in the cost of Pakistan and other South Asian countries would prove to be America's security blunder in future. As a result, Washington may lose goodwill of other South Asian countries as well as some countries in East Asia and the Muslim world. The more and closer alliance the United States forges with India, the more it would alienate and antagonize the Muslim world. Alliance with India is often taken as an attempt to isolative Pakistan to which Muslim world attaches greater importance.
Pakistan has felt that the US-India security partnership has directly threatened Pakistan's security. Pakistan's worries are genuine as India is its biggest and the only external security threat. Pakistan had already fought three wars with India. Moreover, New Delhi has been building its military power both conventional and nuclear, which has been a cause of security concern for the entire South Asia. The economic and strategic alliance that the United States has formed with India only emboldens New Delhi to further pursue its hawkish and expansionist attitude in South Asia, which is not in the interest of the region as well the world. It would also mean that the United States has endorsed India's highhandedness in the region.
It should be noted here with high prominence that all South Asian countries have problems with India and they are facing strategic, cultural and economic threat from India. These smaller countries had been hopeful that Washington would come to their rescue in case there was any kind of intervention and attack from India. However, their hopes have now been dashed because of the alliance between India and United States. This has not only caused security concerns to South Asian countries but also has raised America's credibility in the region.
The alliance with India is against the values that the United States pursues and the world order it seeks. The US national security strategy has clearly spelled out that the United States respects the universal values both at home and abroad, which include peace, justice, human rights and political pluralism. Similarly, America seeks to build a just international order under its leadership that promotes peace, security and opportunity in the world. Although India boasts to be the largest democracy, free will, freedom of expression and peaceful and dignified life are a mirage in some parts of India and to certain section of the people. Muslims constitute more than 15 per cent population in India but they are treated as second grade citizens. Similar case is with other several ethnic people and minorities. A case in point is Kashmir, which, in fact, is boiling. Kashmiri people are fighting for their right to self determination. But India has kept Kashmir under its control at gun point. Several other ethnic communities and poor and downtrodden people are fighting a decisive struggle against the elitist system in many other states of India. But Indian government is dealing with the peaceful protests and struggle with brutal military force. This is evident that India does not qualify to be America's ally and the United States would regret in the long-run. Smaller countries in the region including Nepal are now skeptical by the growing hobnobbing between the United States and India. This shows that Obama administration is not sensitive to the concerns and worries of smaller South Asian countries. India is the stumbling block for peace in South Asia. The United States had been expected that it would play a key role in establishing sustainable peace in South Asia by using its influence to persuade India to abandon the hawkish and bullish policy in the region. Kashmir is a flashpoint of conflict in South Asia and its resolution has not been possible by India's refusal to implement the United Nations resolution that seeks impartial plebiscite in Kashmir. Obama's trip to India is, therefore, a disaster in terms of security and just order in South Asia.
His trip to East Asia, too, has not yielded desired results. The purpose with which Obama visited East Asia mainly Japan and South Korea was also defeated. Obama wanted to sign a free trade deal with South Korea but failed to take Seoul into confidence. Also the American President failed to convince the G-20 members mainly the Asian countries to back US stance on China's currency policy. Instead, the Asian economies sided with China and backed Beijing's stance on its currency policy.
On the surface, Obama's trip appears to be guided by economic interest. But security was the prime objective. The countries President Obama chose to visit has given an impression that the trip was aimed at forging an alliance against China economically and strategically and also encircling Beijing. China's spectacular economic rise accompanied by its push to develop its image as a soft power in the world has concerned and worried the United States more than any other country. China's growing clout in the international arena has already challenged American supremacy in the world. It is, therefore, the United States has now vigorously pursuing the policy to contain Beijing economically and strategically. The recent Asia visit of the American President should also be viewed against this backdrop. Although the trip was viewed as an image boosting trip, it has rather dampened the US image in the world arena in general and South Asia in particular which may reflect in US public opinion in future.
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