BackIndia registers protest, but spy report may not hit ties with US
MEA spokesperson says Indo-US relationship 'multifaceted', both nations committed to strengthening it
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New Delhi: India on Wednesday summoned unnamed senior US diplomats to register its protest over reports that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was among six political organizations across the world who were authorized by a US court for surveillance in 2010.
However, there were also indications that the report was unlikely to upset improving India-US ties, with external affairs ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin saying, “Our relationship is broad-based, multifaceted and both India and the US are committed to deepening it and strengthening it."
The Washington Post report on surveillance appeared a day before Arizona senator and former US presidential candidate John McCain landed in New Delhi for talks with the new government led by the BJP’s Narendra Modi.
When asked if the reported authorization to the National Security Agency (NSA) for surveillance had been raised with McCain, Akbaruddin said: “Governments talk to governments. Senator McCain is a respected leader of the Senate, he is an important American political leader."
“We have, as governments, already communicated to the government of the United States... We have also asked the US government if such intrusions have indeed been authorized and have taken place. Our view is, should this have happened, these are highly objectionable," Akbaruddin said.
After McCain, a leading Republican seen as a friend of India, several other high-profile Americans are expected to land in India. Deputy secretary of state William Burns arrives in New Delhi on 10 July. Defence secretary Chuck Hagel is expected later, followed by a visit by secretary of state John Kerry for the India-US Strategic dialogue, possibly in August. The meetings will culminate in a summit between Modi and US president Barack Obama on 30 September in Washington.
A person familiar with the developments pointed out that the surveillance, if it happened, took place in 2010 when the BJP was in opposition, indicating this was unlikely to stall any moves towards mending ties. In recent times, India-US relations have run into rough weather over several issues, including slow progress in implementing the India-US nuclear deal, alleged mistreatment of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade over visa fraud charges in the US, slowing economic reforms in India and complaints of protectionism by both.
Making matters worse, Modi, former chief minister of Gujarat, was barred from visiting the US after the 2002 communal riots in his state. The ice was broken in February when then US ambassador Nancy Powell met Modi in Gujarat. On 16 May, the day the election results pointed to his elevation as India’s new prime minister, Modi received a congratulatory call from US president Barack Obama.
When asked about the discussions between McCain and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, Akbaruddin said the talks centred around improving bilateral relations, the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq where some 100 Indian nationals are trapped in an area taken by Sunni Islamic militants.
Setting the tone for his visit, McCain made a statement to the US Senate in Washington last week, where he said he wanted “Prime Minister Modi to succeed, because I want India to succeed. ...Our concern is simply that India does realize its full potential—for the United States has a stake in India’s success. Indeed, a strong, confident, and future-oriented India is indispensable for a vibrant US-India strategic partnership."
McCain is to meet Modi on Thursday.
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