Kerry visit has helped clear the air. Time now to get things done,from trade to the nuclear deal John Kerrys first visit to India as the US secretary of state may have come just in time. With less than a year left for general elections in India,the clock has long been ticking away for one last attempt at checking the drift in bilateral relations,and operationalising the nuclear deal,in Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs second term. New Delhi and Washington had their task cut out to move beyond the plateau the Indo-US relationship has found itself stranded on lately. With the announcement of the prime ministers visit to the US in September-October this year,and with US Vice President Joe Biden due in India before that in late July,a schedule for further engagement has been put in place. The imperative now is to intensify the momentum by getting things to move on various fronts,from the nuclear deal to a bilateral investment treaty to boost economic ties. Kerry set a timeframe for the nuclear deal by underscoring the Indo-US joint commitment to its timely implementation. The September target for finalising the commercial agreement between the nuclear power companies is sensible,timed as it is to precede or correspond with the PMs visit. India has so far allowed the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited to drag out the negotiations with all suppliers,including the US,France and Russia. It is time for Delhi to reclaim this process and lend it the political leadership it requires in its concluding stages. India owes that not only to its friends,who helped end its nuclear isolation five years ago,but also to itself in order to design and utilise a varied energy basket. Differences remain,for instance on Afghanistan. There is a perception that Washington is only too eager to strike a deal with the Taliban and exit,upsetting Afghanistans ethnic-political balance,with adverse consequences for Indias security. Kerrys underscoring of US insistence on the Taliban adhering to the red lines is reassuring for now. Dealing with the new Iranian leadership is also an issue that Delhi and Washington must discuss at length before it grows contentious. Making the strategic partnership work is necessary for both Delhi and Washington in a changing global arena.
