NEW DELHI: With the young and idealistic Democrat Bill Clinton in the White House US policy towards India is likely to become more favorable provided Delhi softens its stand on vexed issues like human rights nuclear non-proliferation and intellectual property rights former ambassador to Washington Dr. Abid Hussain says.
Dr. Hussain who played a crucial role in wooing the Bush Administration seemed optimistic about the future of Indo US relations. Speaking to The Pioneer shortly after Clinton was declared President-election Nov.4 Dr. Hussain said “There is an idealistic affinity between Indian democracy and the Democratic Party. We should use it to our advantage.” He said unlike the Republicans Democrats were far more appreciative of Indias democratic tradition which is likely to work to the nations advantage vis-a-vis Pakistan.
“The earlier uh towards Pakistan was already somewhat corrected by the Bush administration after the end of the Afghanistan War and the pendulum going to swing further towards India” he said.
The former Ambassador however warmed that the Government should be prepared for rigorous questioning by the new US Administration on human rights nuclear non-proliferation and trade-related issues like the intellectual property rights dispute.
“Yet must remember there has been a generational change in the US leadership and Clinton is likely to be a far more activists President than Bush particularly in his initial months in office” he said.
Dr. Hussain felt that the only way in tackle pressures from Washington was to be pliable and forth coming for rank and open negotiations.
“There is no point in lecturing them about interference in our internal affairs. We have to explain. Our security concerns I have no doubt that this will strike the right chord” he said.
Dr. Hussain who was reputed for his excellent public relations in Washington felt that the Indian embassy should waste no time in cultivating the allies and advisers of the President election “They should not wait for Clinton to formally take over but spread out all over the United States to sell Indias case to profession economists political thinkers-to anyone who will influence the new Presidents thinking” he said.
Dr. Hussain pointed out that several Democrat Senators and Congressmen were good friends of India and with Clinton as President they stood a good chance of getting important posts in the administration.
He was particularly hopeful that former Democrat Congressman and long-time friend of India Stephen Solarz would have a vital say in US policy on Asian affairs although he had failed to be elected to the House of Representatives
Article extracted from this publication >> November 20, 1992
