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| In India, Obama Aims to Improve Countries’ Ties | In India, Obama Aims to Improve Countries’ Ties |
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| NEW DELHI — President Obama swept aside past friction with India on Sunday to report progress on climate change and civilian nuclear power cooperation as he sought to transform a fraught relationship marked by suspicion into an enduring partnership linking the world’s oldest and largest democracies. | NEW DELHI — President Obama swept aside past friction with India on Sunday to report progress on climate change and civilian nuclear power cooperation as he sought to transform a fraught relationship marked by suspicion into an enduring partnership linking the world’s oldest and largest democracies. |
| Kicking off a three-day visit rich in symbolism and pageantry, Mr. Obama emerged from hours of discussions with his counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with what he called “a breakthrough understanding” to finally overcome years of deadlock that have prevented American firms from building nuclear reactors here, a key goal of the trip. | Kicking off a three-day visit rich in symbolism and pageantry, Mr. Obama emerged from hours of discussions with his counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with what he called “a breakthrough understanding” to finally overcome years of deadlock that have prevented American firms from building nuclear reactors here, a key goal of the trip. |
| The president and Mr. Modi also renewed a 10-year defense pact, agreed to joint military hardware production and resolved to work together to reduce the threat of greenhouse gas emissions on the world’s climate. But the climate agreement included mostly minor initiatives compared with the deal Mr. Obama made with China last November, and it was unclear whether American companies would that agree the nuclear pact offered sufficient protection from potential liability in the case of mishaps to justify the investment. | |
| Still, the atmosphere of amity was palpable as Mr. Modi broke with protocol to greet Mr. Obama at the airport with a warm handshake and hug. During a later joint appearance before the news media, Mr. Modi referred to the president as “Barack” and thanked him for his “deep personal commitment” to their developing friendship. | |
| “It’s not surprising then that we had a friendship because hopefully we’re reflecting the values of our peoples,” Mr. Obama replied. “That affection can then be translated into specific actions.” | “It’s not surprising then that we had a friendship because hopefully we’re reflecting the values of our peoples,” Mr. Obama replied. “That affection can then be translated into specific actions.” |
| Mr. Obama’s visit, his second as president, is a major event in India. Despite lingering distrust in many parts of the government, largely over Washington’s history of support for rival Pakistan, the United States enjoys widespread popularity among the general population. For weeks, the Hindi news media has dissected details of Mr. Obama’s planned visit, running half-page cutaway graphics of his limousine and airplane, and broadcasting a detailed report about his BlackBerry. A Hindustan Times report implored the first lady to “Please Dress Desi,” featuring a series of Indian designers offering to provide her with couture saris. | Mr. Obama’s visit, his second as president, is a major event in India. Despite lingering distrust in many parts of the government, largely over Washington’s history of support for rival Pakistan, the United States enjoys widespread popularity among the general population. For weeks, the Hindi news media has dissected details of Mr. Obama’s planned visit, running half-page cutaway graphics of his limousine and airplane, and broadcasting a detailed report about his BlackBerry. A Hindustan Times report implored the first lady to “Please Dress Desi,” featuring a series of Indian designers offering to provide her with couture saris. |
| Mr. Obama’s arrival was marred to some extent by his decision, announced just as he left Washington, to cut the visit short by several hours and skip a tour of the Taj Mahal in order to fly to Saudi Arabia to pay respects to the family of King Abdullah, who died on Friday. The cancellation of the visit to the Taj Mahal, India’s most iconic site, was seen as a disappointment here. | Mr. Obama’s arrival was marred to some extent by his decision, announced just as he left Washington, to cut the visit short by several hours and skip a tour of the Taj Mahal in order to fly to Saudi Arabia to pay respects to the family of King Abdullah, who died on Friday. The cancellation of the visit to the Taj Mahal, India’s most iconic site, was seen as a disappointment here. |
| But Mr. Obama planned to pay homage to other cherished symbols of India’s status as the world’s largest democracy. Shortly after landing, he headed to Rajghat for a wreath-laying and tree-planting ceremony at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the father of modern India. Mr. Obama’s tree was planted on the other side of a walkway from one planted by President Bill Clinton during his own visit in 2000. | But Mr. Obama planned to pay homage to other cherished symbols of India’s status as the world’s largest democracy. Shortly after landing, he headed to Rajghat for a wreath-laying and tree-planting ceremony at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the father of modern India. Mr. Obama’s tree was planted on the other side of a walkway from one planted by President Bill Clinton during his own visit in 2000. |
| On Sunday evening, Mr. Obama was to be the guest of honor at a state dinner hosted by Mr. Modi, who was returning the favor after a visit to the White House last September. On Monday, Mr. Obama will be the chief guest at the annual Republic Day parade marking the anniversary of the day India’s Constitution went into force, the first time an American president has been honored with that role. | On Sunday evening, Mr. Obama was to be the guest of honor at a state dinner hosted by Mr. Modi, who was returning the favor after a visit to the White House last September. On Monday, Mr. Obama will be the chief guest at the annual Republic Day parade marking the anniversary of the day India’s Constitution went into force, the first time an American president has been honored with that role. |
| The display of friendship stands in stark contrast to the state of the relationship just a year ago after the arrest and strip search of an Indian diplomat accused of exploiting a housekeeper in New York. Mr. Obama and Mr. Modi have made it a priority to move beyond that dispute, even though some advocacy groups fretted that meant Washington would turn away from serious human rights issues. | The display of friendship stands in stark contrast to the state of the relationship just a year ago after the arrest and strip search of an Indian diplomat accused of exploiting a housekeeper in New York. Mr. Obama and Mr. Modi have made it a priority to move beyond that dispute, even though some advocacy groups fretted that meant Washington would turn away from serious human rights issues. |
| Neelam Deo, a longtime Indian diplomat who now heads Gateway House, a foreign policy research organization based in Mumbai, said that Mr. Modi would distinguish himself principally by projecting a simple message about the United States. | Neelam Deo, a longtime Indian diplomat who now heads Gateway House, a foreign policy research organization based in Mumbai, said that Mr. Modi would distinguish himself principally by projecting a simple message about the United States. |
| “It is a moment where the coyness of the previous government has been set aside,” she said. “That is not his style. He is pretty explicit. I would say he has gone all the way to project the message — and there is nothing ideological about this — that the U.S. is the most important country in the world for us. It’s what we look for.” | “It is a moment where the coyness of the previous government has been set aside,” she said. “That is not his style. He is pretty explicit. I would say he has gone all the way to project the message — and there is nothing ideological about this — that the U.S. is the most important country in the world for us. It’s what we look for.” |
| Foreign policy has been a central focus of Mr. Modi’s first months in office, although it was barely mentioned during his development-focused campaign last year. He has made it a priority to project a more forceful leadership role for India among its South Asian neighbors, challenging China’s growing partnerships with the leaders of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Simultaneously, he is exploring deeper economic ties with China, though a visit from the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, was marred by tension over the disputed border between the two countries. | Foreign policy has been a central focus of Mr. Modi’s first months in office, although it was barely mentioned during his development-focused campaign last year. He has made it a priority to project a more forceful leadership role for India among its South Asian neighbors, challenging China’s growing partnerships with the leaders of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Simultaneously, he is exploring deeper economic ties with China, though a visit from the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, was marred by tension over the disputed border between the two countries. |
| Mr. Modi, who pays meticulous attention to the symbolic messages of high-level meetings, immediately made it clear on Sunday with his decision to greet Mr. Obama with an embrace that his relationship with the United States is a warm and trusting one. In the past, Mr. Modi has reserved such greetings for leaders who were trusted partners, like Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, and, more recently, Prime Minister Tony Abbott of Australia. | Mr. Modi, who pays meticulous attention to the symbolic messages of high-level meetings, immediately made it clear on Sunday with his decision to greet Mr. Obama with an embrace that his relationship with the United States is a warm and trusting one. In the past, Mr. Modi has reserved such greetings for leaders who were trusted partners, like Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, and, more recently, Prime Minister Tony Abbott of Australia. |
| A breakthrough on the nuclear issue would provide both leaders a tangible achievement from the visit. Mr. Bush reached agreement with India in 2006 to end a moratorium that lasted decades on sales of nuclear fuel and reactor components while India in exchange would separate civilian and military nuclear programs and open civilian facilities to international inspections. | |
| But the promise of a thriving new nuclear trade between the powers never materialized because of an Indian law that would hold American energy companies responsible for accidents. American companies sought more protection, while the Indian government argued that the American government should pressure the companies to invest anyway. | But the promise of a thriving new nuclear trade between the powers never materialized because of an Indian law that would hold American energy companies responsible for accidents. American companies sought more protection, while the Indian government argued that the American government should pressure the companies to invest anyway. |
| On climate change, Mr. Modi has already pledged that India will increase production of clean, solar-powered electricity to 100,000 megawatts by 2022, from 3,000 currently. The two leaders are working on an agreement under which the United States would help India cut its use of hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs — a component in coolants in refrigerators and air-conditioners. | On climate change, Mr. Modi has already pledged that India will increase production of clean, solar-powered electricity to 100,000 megawatts by 2022, from 3,000 currently. The two leaders are working on an agreement under which the United States would help India cut its use of hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs — a component in coolants in refrigerators and air-conditioners. |
| Absent a broader commitment to goals like those agreed to by China, Mr. Obama hopes to enlist Mr. Modi’s support for a United Nations climate change accord scheduled to be completed in Paris in December. | Absent a broader commitment to goals like those agreed to by China, Mr. Obama hopes to enlist Mr. Modi’s support for a United Nations climate change accord scheduled to be completed in Paris in December. |
| While India is the third-largest carbon polluter after China and the United States, it has traditionally argued that it should not have to limit its production of greenhouse gases because it is a developing country that historically has contributed little to the long-term problem and has hundreds of millions of people to lift out of poverty. | While India is the third-largest carbon polluter after China and the United States, it has traditionally argued that it should not have to limit its production of greenhouse gases because it is a developing country that historically has contributed little to the long-term problem and has hundreds of millions of people to lift out of poverty. |
| If Mr. Modi were to embrace the Paris process, the Obama administration and environmental groups have argued that it would be a significant shift that could build momentum for other countries to join the effort in a serious way. India is expected to issue a plan to reduce emission rates by June, and environmentalists hope that domestic backlash against urban pollution will pressure the government to be more ambitious, much as what happened in China. | If Mr. Modi were to embrace the Paris process, the Obama administration and environmental groups have argued that it would be a significant shift that could build momentum for other countries to join the effort in a serious way. India is expected to issue a plan to reduce emission rates by June, and environmentalists hope that domestic backlash against urban pollution will pressure the government to be more ambitious, much as what happened in China. |