Indo—Us Relations: Search for Mature and Constructive Ties

Rajiv Gandhi's election as the Prime Minister has aroused enthusiasm and hope for change. However, the chances of major changes in either the structure or the orientation of foreign policy are remote. The present policies have evolved in response to challenges posed by developments in India's external policy environment. For this reason the Janata Party, not bound by any loyalty to the past, was unable to change the orientation of the nation's foreign policy. There was infact no alternative which the thinking public in this country would have accepted as reasonable. Nevertheless within the given structure and orientation of foreign policy significant changes are feasible. Today the world is moving from one stage to another of higher technology. The Western countries, particularly the United States, holds the key to this transformation. India has already obtained from the Soviet Union whatever assistance it could for its economic development. Growth to a higher stage requires cooperation of the western world. On the other hand, political and strategic compulsions force us to maintain close relations with the Soviet Union. The situation in which we are placed thus reinforces the logic of non-alignment. China going through its four-fold modernization adds urgency to our situation. Despite the preeminence of the Super Powers the world is still multi-polar—and every nation will have to learn to live with it. Therefore, despite the fact that the United States' actions threaten our security and it carries the major responsibility for the present state of relations, the new Indian Government needs to carry on the initiative for improving relations.