‘Apprehension For Obama, Nostalgia For Bush Is Ironic’

Former Indian ambassador Ronen Sen played a crucial role in India clinching the civilian nuclear deal with the United States. During his stint in Washington, he not only established a personal equation with former American president George W. Bush but also came to know Barack Obama long before he stepped into the White House. In an interview with Pranay Sharma, Sen talks about the personalities of the two American leaders, the growing Indo-US relations and the expectations from President Obama’s visit to India. Excerpts:

Why is President Barack Obama coming to India?

As the president of the world’s oldest and most powerful democracy, he’s making it a point to visit the world’s largest and fastest growing democracy in the first half of his first term of presidency.

What do you think India is expecting from this visit?

Our primary objective would be the reaffirmation at the highest level of our strategic partnership with the US, for our mutual benefit and for promoting shared global goals.

You have known both Obama and his predecessor, George W. Bush. How different are they as persons?

Obama is a highly charismatic and inspirational public speaker. Anyone who has read his books also realises that he’s as compassionate as cerebral. In private meetings, he comes across as very courteous, soft-spoken, and a very attentive listener. He appears deliberative and meticulous in his approach and has an amazing grasp of complex details. According to his close associates, he listens to a number of people, but decisions are very much his own. He has repeatedly demonstrated his vision, decisiveness and leadership.

George W. Bush, on the other hand, tended to look only at the large picture, and didn’t delve into details. His directives were broad in terms of objectives. Once he made up his mind, he was firm about implementation; his decisions were based on what he thought was the right thing to do. He tended to rely as much on his gut instincts as on objective analyses.

You knew Obama before he became the US president. What was your first impression about him? Did you think then that he could become the president?

I first met Obama in 2005, soon after he was elected as US Senator, at his office at the US Senate. He was such an attentive and patient listener that I unwittingly deviated from my usual practice and spoke longer than I should have. His responses were lucid, precise. I was very impressed by the clarity of his vision. But, frankly, I had no inkling then that I’d within a short time be present during his inauguration as president.

Many believe Bush has been the best American president for India. Do you think Obama can match or surpass him?

Each US president leaves the distinctive stamp of his personality on his administration. You will recall that some of us ridiculed Bush for not remembering the name of our then prime minister during his first presidential campaign. Even after all that he did for India, a number of politicians, not just our leftist comrades, showed scant respect not only for Bush but our own traditions of hospitality during his visit to India. Obama’s election campaign was followed more closely in India than any previous US elections, and his victory was widely hailed here. Therefore, it is ironic that there is nostalgia for the Bush years and apprehensions about the Obama administration. It’s true that Bush had a deep personal fascination and an abiding admiration for India, well before he became president. He did more for India than any of his predecessors. We should honour his legacy.

What does this imply for Obama?

This certainly doesn’t imply that we should not show due appreciation and respect for Obama’s commitment and contributions to our partnership. For instance, within days of my taking over as ambassador in August 2004, I received a report from our consul-general in Chicago about Obama joining our Independence Day parade for about 90 minutes. I don’t recall any other US president or other world leader with such a track record. I also recall president-elect Obama’s telephone call to me within a few hours of 26/11 and his strong sense of solidarity and support for India.

There were some mis-steps in the first few months of the Obama administration, when his team wasn’t fully in place. But we must remember the several special gestures he made thereafter, to underline his recognition and respect for our country and prime minister. There is now no doubt about the priority accorded by Obama to what he has referred to as one of the defining relationships of the 21st century.

What can the two countries achieve under Obama that can match the nuke deal signed under Bush?

The nuclear deal was unprecedented—there’s no historical precedence of a single-country exemption from an international regime. Its final approval also marked the first time ever that the US Congress deviated from its own prescribed procedures to adopt the deal in 2008. The Obama administration and our government have now just completed steps to enable the implementation of this initiative. It is unrealistic to expect the replication of such a far-reaching global game-changer. 

Can we expect any other such big idea from Obama?

We should focus now on the big picture rather than a new big idea.

What does this big picture constitute?

The big picture would cover the global challenges posed by religious extremism and terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, climate change and inequitable development between and within countries, energy and water scarcity, food security, natural disasters and pandemics, cyber security, freedom of movement in the global commons, unilateral assertions of territorial claims and so on. We need closer, more sustained consultations on global and Asian security frameworks.

Does the big picture also include meeting the challenges posed by a rising China?

We are not only interested in a multipolar world but a multipolar Asia. Discussions on China will be natural. But it’s not our intention, nor, to the best of my knowledge, America’s intention to contain or encircle China. It’s legitimate for us to expect China to reciprocate this approach in full measure. There is growing recognition of India’s stabilising and balancing role in Asia.

Can India and the US play a bigger role together in Afghanistan?

Yes, most certainly. There is no doubt about our concerns. The US has shown increasing recognition of India’s positive role in Afghanistan, despite protestations to the contrary by Pakistan. We will have to engage in confidential and constructive consultations with the US and other regional players as well.

What can Obama take from India that will convince the American public that strong ties with India help them too?

Fortunately, he will not have to rely on any spin but focus only on facts to send the right message to the American people. Since 2004, trade, investments and job creation have truly become a two-way street, benefiting the US as much as India. Obama may seek greater access to the growing Indian market to help him contain growing protectionist sentiments in the US Congress. We should be open to constructive discussions resulting in decisions that will benefit both countries.

To describe President Obama’s visit to India a success, what is the one thing we should look for?

Look at the big picture. And in the bilateral context, the extent to which we can move forward in giving more economic content to our partnership.