Optics are good, but need to see if US walks the talk
which way this would get calibrated depends on a slew of factors including what lies ahead for Washington-Beijing ties. Without mentioning China or its One Road One Belt marquee project connecting Asia to Central Asia to Europe, the joint statement said the connectivity projects should ensure “respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
The two sides found their defence and business ties growing though this visit didn’t come up with any definite blue print. The H1B visa of skilled and climate change continues to be issues that require greater political will and manoeuvring .
The counter-terrorism cooperation and mention of Pakistan are takeaways that would also get Modi traction among the domestic constituency. The Trunp administration before the talks designated Syed Salahuddin, a political activist turned -militant commander, as a global terrorist.
“The leaders called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries. They further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other crossborder terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups,” the joint statement said. But what remains to be seen is how far Trump administration will go in nudging Pakistan, still a frontline state of the US, in walking the talk on terrorism.