123 agreement a watershed in Indo-US ties

New Delhi, Aug 12: Diplomats have welcomed the 123 Indo-US civil nuclear agreement as a ''watershed'' in the 60 years of diplomatic relations between the world's largest democracies and pointed out that the pact does not encroach upon New Delhi's right to pursue an independent foreign policy.

The panel discussion organised by the American Centre here on Friday, to mark the 60 years of US-India friendship was attended by former Indian ambassador to the US Lalit Mansingh, President and CEO, Centre for Policy Research Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Minister Counsellor for political affairs, US embassy Theodore Osius and senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Ashley Tellis.

Mr Mansingh has termed the 123 Agreement to operationalise the landmark Indo-US civil nuclear deal a ''watershed'' in the relations between the two countries.

''With this agreement, India is entering a period of great strategic partnership with the US and it is an opportunity to advance our national interests,'' Mr Mansingh said while speaking on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic liaison between the two largest democracies of the world.

The former Indian diplomat, however, observed that though India was ''entering a period of great strategic partnership with the US'', it does not encroach upon New Delhi's right to pursue an independent foreign policy.

''There has always been a personal touch between the two nations.

Our proximity with the US does not mean that we will abandon old friends. It is not at the cost of anybody else,'' he said.

''The effort is on building a genuine partnership. It is a convergence of values and interests. And even if the relationship does not develop into an alliance, we would look forward to collaboration in various arenas,'' said Mr Tellis.

While fully agreeing on the nuclear accord being a ''watershed'' in the relations between the two countries, the panellists said the deal will usher in the ''highest point of global partnership''.

'INDIA NOT A CONVENTIONAL ALLY'

Rejecting scepticism over the deal drawing India into a strategic partnership with Washington, Mr Mehta pointed out, ''We should acknowledge the fact that India cannot be an ally of the US in the sense that it means a very close strategic partnership. The US does not expect India to agree on everything and India is mature enough to understand that both the nations can enter close cooperation without agreeing on everything.'' Mr Osius pointed out the visit by then US President Bill Clinton to India in 2000, George W Bush assuming the charge in Washington and the 9/11 terror attacks on the World Trade Centre in the context of increased understanding on bilateral issues between the two nations.

While many reacted strongly to a statement by a spokesman in Washington who said: ''We will assist India in becoming a superpower in the 21st century,'' the former Indian envoy said, ''Subhash Chandra Bose said there is no country which has gained freedom without any help from the outside.'' In this context, he pointed out India's aim to achieve a growth rate of 10 per cent requires ''investable capital/resources and technology, both of which are abundant in the US''.

'FUTURE DISAGREEMENTS'

To a query that what would be a possible solution of any major future disagreement, Mr Tellis said, ''The best way to counter any future problems and disagreements is intense diplomatic indulgence, and we would be transcending disagreements due to convergence of interests.'' To another question from former Attorney General of India Soli Sorabjee that why was there a preferential treatment for China as compared to India, Mr Tellis replied: ''As long as India and China remain in the WTO system, there cannot be anything of this sort.

There is nothing we do for China that is qualitatively different from what we do for India.'' ''When Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the US wants India to achieve its goals as the world's most multi-ethnic country, it shows we want India to succeed,'' Mr Osius said.

''We will have agreements and disagreements as we had in the past, but as it is said, the first 50 years are the most difficult years of any marriage,'' Mr Mansingh signed off.

UNI