 | Our last issue's cover | There was a scent of history and an air of celebration with the Tarkari Dum Biryani at the Prime Minister's lunch on Wednesday for President George W. Bush. I was sitting a few tables away and the comfort level between the two leaders was palpable in contrast to the understated courage which both leaders have shown in signing a momentous nuclear deal in the teeth of domestic opposition. I believe the deal will have widespread international ramifications in the way the world looks at itself. A very senior diplomat told me at the lunch that if you asked me at 1 a.m. this morning whether the nuclear deal would go through, I would have said no. He said the credit goes to President Bush who told his team when they said there were problems, that he won't take no for an answer because it's a good deal for all and the Prime Minister is a good man and he trusts him. Simple as that. Not many people expected Bush to be that far-sighted but I have always believed that he is a lot smarter than the liberal press makes him out to be. I've heard former President Clinton say this in private, and he is no friend of Dubya. The differences over India's nuclear programme, America's obsession with China and its strategic alliance with Pakistan have kept the two countries at arm's length, but this visit has already indicated it could change that in a profound manner. The nuclear agreement forms the cornerstone but the two leaders have removed the misgivings of the past and forged a meaningful partnership for the future. I believe that Bush has the desire and belief to make more of an impact on Indo-US relations than Clinton in 2000. Clinton's visit was high on chemistry and colour, but it is Bush who has engaged with India on a variety of levels. There has been a new dynamic in the relationship on a broad range of areas. There is also the realisation that India is claiming its rightful place in the world economy and the global balance of power. This signifies too the de-coupling of our foreign policy from US' dealings with Pakistan. America also needs a counterweight to China in the region. India's stability and market also makes it an attractive investment destination. The two countries need to cooperate on the global threat of terrorism, a seminal issue in post 9/11 America. Finally, Bush has made it clear that freedom and democracy are issues that are the most important in his vision of the global order. This is our second successive cover featuring Bush but we believe the historic importance of Bush's passage to India justifies this. It will not just change the way Americans view India but in the context of the nuclear negotiations, change the global strategic scenario and remove the one obstacle-India's nuclear weapons programme-that stands between India and a place at the international high table. Index
| 
