Best time to talk

For weeks after it exploded five nuclear devices in May, India bristled under the heap of abuse showered by the US-led world. New Delhi was directly accused of deliberate duplicity, a charge that still evokes great anger. The nadir came when American diplomats accused their Indian counterparts of pretension to great power status. In the three rounds of talks so far between Singh and Talbott, both nations have come such a long way thatwhat went before seems like from another time. As India changed the nuclear ground rules, the Americans have responded, albeit reluctantly at first, by walking across that ground at least half way.

There is acceptance now of India8217;s claim to a minimum deterrent, of weaponisation 8212; as long as New Delhi does not openly deploy these weapons. Washington no longer insists that India sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. US State department officials admit that China is a 8220;valid8221; Indian concern and privately point out that both democracies should in the future 8220;spend more time8221; exchanging views on Beijing8217;s overarching ambition in the region. In effect, the US is ready to acknowledge New Delhi8217;s desire to break out of its circumscribed sphere of influence in South Asia.

The bombing of terrorist bases in Afghanistan seems another heaven-sent opportunity for India to declare its democratic and secular credentials. Washington once helped build the god-fearing Islamic jihad8217; in Afghanistan, to stop thegodless Red Army from washing its boots in the Indian Ocean. Those selfsame terrorists who are now turning their guns on America have, at least for the last 15 years, been instigating war in Punjab and Kashmir. So what8217;s stopping us from giving Clinton a visa to come to India? Let8217;s remember that we changed the world in May. After the baptism by fire at home, the US president might well be genuinely appreciative of another democracy even one which has held its own against Washington and Islamabad for so many decades.

New Delhi need not fear empty criticism. It is committing itself to signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as well as negotiations on a fissile material treaty on its own terms. To offer Clinton the opportunity to save face with America would give us enough clout for a long time to come.

There are other, real gains as well. Think of the possibility of greater access to the resources of Central Asia. By refusing to hand over Osama bin Laden, the Taliban has burnt its boats with Washington8211; and consequently, blown away the opportunity of being recognised not only as the true rulers of Kabul but also the economic revival of Afghanistan. Figuring out the sponsors of the Taliban 8212; Pakistan and Saudi Arabia 8212; is the next, short step for the US. It would be a vindication of what India has been saying all along.