India-US Agreements

US President Barack Obama visited India from the 6th November 2010 to 9th November 2010. Barack Obama’s India visit was a part of his four-nation Asia tour which included Indonesia, South Korea and Japan besides India. India was the first Asian country which he visited during his Asian tour. During this visit, India and USA on 8 November 2010 signed six agreements. The list of India-US agreements are as following:
1.    India-US agreed to set up a joint Clean Energy Research and Development Centre. India and USA both will invest 50 million dollars each for this over the five years. India and US decided to work together to complete joint research in solar, biofuels and energy efficiency.
2.    India and USA signed MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to set up a global centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership. US agreed to provide cooperation in India’s plans for a nuclear centre, deal with threats of nuclear terrorism and to support nuclear security.
3.    India-USA MoU on establishing an India-US Energy Cooperation Programme. It will help to activate private sector skill and resources to focus on clean energy related issues in India and the US.
4.    India and USA signed agreement on technical cooperation to study annual monsoon rains in India. India and USA agreed on cooperation in weather-forecasting for annual monsoon in India which is vital for Agriculture in India.
5.    India and USA signed MoU on shale gas resources. Under the MoU US agreed to use its technology to measure shale gas resources in India.
6.    India and USA signed MoU on establishing a Global Disease Detection Centre in India under which a laboratory will be set up in New Delhi to curb the spread of infectious diseases.

The Significance of the India-US Agreements
The India-US agreements in energy sector are crucial for energy-deficit India which has one of the world’s lowest per capita power consumption. Two-thirds of India’s electricity is produced from thermal power which includes coal, gas and liquid fuel. India is trying to find alternative sources of energy to meet its ever growing demand for energy. The agreement on shale gas is a step in the same direction.

Other Major Announcements and Agreements
Besides the above agreements, USA announced to remove DRDO and ISRO and Bharat Dynamics limited from its high-tech ban list. USA announced to amend the dual use rules under which high- tech exports by American manufacturers to the DRDO and ISRO are banned. The Dual use refers to the technology that can be used for both defence and civilian purposes. It will make easier for US companies to do business with India in related sectors.
USA also announced to support India’s bid for the membership of the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). It will enable India to get the dual use technology from the NSG member countries.

US companies also signed a 14.9 billion dollar deal with Indian companies which would create approximately 50000 jobs in USA. Boeing Corporation and General Electric Corporation struck the richest deals. The biggest deal included Boeing’s sale of 10 C-17 transport aircraft to the Indian air force. Indian airline Spice jet also agreed to buy 30 B737-800 planes from Boeing.
India and USA also signed an agreement related to the field of agriculture entitled the Evergreen Agreement.
 
US President Addressed Indian Parliament
US President Barrack Obama also addressed the joint session of Indian Parliament during his visit. During his address he supported permanent membership of India in UN Security Council. On terrorism issue he asked Pakistan to stop the use of terrorism against India. He strongly disapproved of Pakistan sponsored terrorism.
Obama said that Kashmir issue was an old one between India and Pakistan. USA is ready to play any role to diffuse the tension between India and Pakistan over Kashmir but can’t impose its solution on them. Obama raised the issue of India’s support to Iran and Myanmar and pointed out that India overlooked sometimes violation of human rights in these nations. He asked for India’s support to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons. He praised the Indian role in the reconstruction of infrastructure in Afghanistan. Barrack Obama was the second US president after Bill Clinton to address the Indian Parliament.
If one analyses Obama’s address to Indian Parliament it can be suggested that USA appears to bargain UN Security Council seat for India in exchange of supporting the US policy on global issues. USA wants India’s support in alienating Iran and Myanmar. India has good relation with Iran and Myanmar at present.

The Purpose of Obama’s Visit to India
US President Barrack Obama’s visit to India and other Asian countries was aimed at to open new markets for US companies and create jobs in USA. India is at present one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Besides, USA is also looking for strategic allies in Asian region to contain China. It seeks to promote India as a regional counterweight to China and at the same time getting Indian support to alienate Iran and Myanmar.