Source: Daily News & Analysis

Our Ties are Important, but not ExclusiveWhat can we expect from Manmohan Singh's upcoming state visit to America?
The first state visit under the Obama administration is rich with symbolism. It comes with Obama's travel to China, and is a reinforcement of America's friendship with India on the eve of dealing with the Chinese on the major issues. It will solidify the US-Indian relationship under a Democratic president, whose administration has many officials who were skeptical of the nuclear agreement. The visit will be a test of India's willingness to follow through with concrete acquisitions of civilian nuclear technology, and to agree to a test ban.

Under Obama's presidency, Pakistan appears to have surpassed India as America's best friend in South Asia. [What are your thoughts?]
The Obama administration early on learned to de-hyphenate India and Pakistan. The challenges facing Pakistan's survival from within are driving relations there and are of a more urgent nature than the slowly but steadily developing relationship with India. For Americans and Europeans, the terrorist origins in Pakistan are as alarming as they are to Indians.

Are China and Pakistan worried by India's expanding military ambitions?
It's difficult to decouple our cooperation with India from Pakistani fears of Indian long-term intentions. The US is trying to do so, nonetheless. With China, the narrative is more interesting and possibly worrisome. As China has grown richer and better armed, it's grown seemingly dismissive of India, at least in circles where chests are full of pride at China's rise. China's leaders seem more sober, but they cannot be immune to feelings provoked by their people's sentiment and the strong language of Indian commentators on China.

Will US policymakers be disappointed when they realise India won't be a lieutenant for US interests?
US officials understand well, perhaps better than some in the Bush administration, that India is pursuing improvements in its external circumstances along every azimuth. Our relationship is important, and increasingly so, but it is not exclusive in either direction. Both nations are pursuing their interests with a cool eye and a sense of balance. This is a healthy basis for long-term cooperation where our interests coincide.

Does Delhi underestimate how much Washington depends on it as a 'natural ally'?
For the US, 'ally' is a formal, legally binding term that is not viewed as appropriate in describing Washington-Delhi relations. We and India share concerns about the terrorist threats we face. We have a common interest in globalisation occurring in an orderly fashion and a host of other issues. In those efforts, our allied efforts will be critical.