The Donald Trump administration must actively work with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on developing a common strategic view of the US-India relations, particularly relating to shared interests in China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, a renowned expert on India and Asia has said. The Trump administration must “act early to develop administration thinking on priorities for the India relationship. (It should) avoid the Obama administration’s choice not to pay closer attention during the first year,” Senior Fellow for India with the Asia Society Policy Institute Marshall Bouton said in a paper ‘The Trump Administration’s India Opportunity’ published today.
In the paper, Bouton, who had recently served as the Institute’s Interim Executive Director, argues that a summit meeting between Trump and Modi should be arranged “at the earliest possible time” and Trump should “assure” Modi of his administration’s commitment to the US-India partnership and the steps needed to strengthen it further. He also emphasizes that the US and Indian agendas today look very much alike, with focus on countering terrorism, responding to China’s assertive behavior in the region, and seeking peace and stability in South and East Asia.
