A reinvented relationship between India and the US is on the anvil as both sides seek to sidestep their recent differences over Iraq and Pakistan, and move into fresh gear with the signature of a joint statement between Prime Minister A B Vajpayee and President George W Bush on Wednesday.Principal Secretary and National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra is believed to have met his counterpart Condoleezza Rice over the weekend to tie up loose ends in the statement that will focus on the transfer of non-dual use technology transfers in the so-called ‘‘trinity issues’’ of space, civilian nuclear energy and missile defence.With India’s intention to send a moon mission in the next five years, it is in space that both sides are likely to focus.Meanwhile, sources added that Mishra and Rice exchanged views on the ground situation in Iraq as well as on a second UN draft resolution that the US was likely to push very soon.Bush is inaugurating the 58th UN General Assembly tomorrow and his speech will signal grounds for compromise with the rest of the Security Council.Vijay Nambiar, India’s permanent representative to the UN, told journalists here yesterday that New Delhi’s conditions for sending troops to Iraq were the following: First, there must be an invitation by Iraqis to India. Secondly, command and control should be under a UN mandate, as New Delhi would not accept a US commander. And thirdly, the ‘‘occupying powers’’ label that describes the US-UK coalition authority would have to go.Sources accepted that as the US debates a second draft resolution on Iraq and broadens the mandate, troops would most likely go. But it is the meeting between Vajpayee and Bush on September 24 over lunch that’s in focus.Clearly, both the conversation and the food are expected to revive memories of the pre-9/11 years when Vajpayee had asserted that India and the US are ‘‘natural allies’’.It is here that the US President is likely to pop the Iraq question. Bush will point out that Turkey, which Vajpayee has just visited, has promised to send 10,000 troops. And that if India agrees, the gesture would not only help over-stretched US troops, but also New Delhi’s old friend, Iraq. Officials said the lunch invitation, when more than 90 leaders are in New York, effectively converts the meeting into a ‘‘bilateral visit’’. The difference is that it’s taking place in New York instead of Washington.Interestingly, as both delegations talk about Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, President Musharraf is likely to speak at the UN General Assembly. Washington is believed to be privately upset with Musharraf for not living up to his last year’s promise to end terrorism against India, but remains unwilling to say so publicly.Expansion of the bilateral relationship will also be explored at the Asia Society address by Vajpayee this afternoon in New York, where he will focus on the potential for growth in the relationship.Indian officials said that at the Columbia University address tomorrow, the PM would direct his energies on promoting economic relations and how the rich and poor nations must bridge their differences at the WTO.Vajpayee also meets Russian President Putin, when both sides will discuss their upcoming summit in Moscow in November. Troops for Iraq will be on top of the agenda—just like India, Putin seems inclined despite domestic pressure at home—as will the continuing instability in Afghanistan.
