Such secular democracy has made India a “model for the developing countries of the world” declared George W. Bush in 2005.
India’s English-speaking population, science and technology education and open-market policy resulted in annual economic growth of 8 to 9 percent in recent years.
With more than 300 million middle-class consumers, India is an attractive market for U.S. business leaders traveling with the president. In Mumbai, India’s financial capital, Obama concluded trade agreements worth tens of billions of dollars to Boeing, GE and other U.S. firms.
A victim of repeated terror attacks, India also is a trusted partner against terrorism. And India is strategically important as a counter to China’s growing influence in the region.
Obama’s support for India as a full member of the U.N. Security Council is a step toward strengthening the economic, security and strategic partnership with India begun by previous U.S. presidents.
Jnanedra K. Bhattacharjee
Oxford