‘India Has Both Hard And Soft Power, Needs Higher Growth’

Joseph S. Nye Jr. is a leading US political scientist. He is also a former dean of Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and worked in various capacities with several American presidents. Nye is a prolific writer and has written over 13 books and over 150 critically acclaimed articles in professional and policy journals. He is also credited with the coinage ‘smart power’ that is much in use in diploma­tic-strategic circles. He responded to some questions by Pranay Sharma on President Obama’s visit. Excerpts from the interview:

What significance do you see in the fact that Barack Obama will be the first US president to be the chief guest of its Republic Day celebrations?

It is an important signal that both governments want to improve relations after a slow period in the past few years. It is a diplomatic achievement for PM Modi.

Seen from the American point of view, what is there to celebrate about the Indian Republic?

Unlike China, which has not yet solved the problem of political participation, India was born a democratic republic, and has maintained it. That deserves celebration.

The US is the world’s oldest democracy; India the largest. Yet, they have never been close allies. Would that change?

I do not expect a formal alliance, but I do expect ties to become closer.

India is often described as a ‘rising power’, while the US is said to be on the decline. How apt are these descriptions?

My new book, Is the American Century Over?, argues that it is a mistake to see the United States as a declining power. I doubt China will be more powerful than the US in the next quarter century. And while India is rising, it has a long way to go to catch up with China. Let’s hope the Indian growth rate gets over 7 per cent. That would be good for both the US and India.

You have argued on the US’s ability to use its ‘smart power’—the combination of military, economic and soft power—to influence world affairs. What does India lack to have the same influence in its neighbourhood?

India has impressive hard and soft power, but it needs to get its economic growth up, and include its vast human resources, much of which is still under-utilised.

Barack Obama is widely seen as a ‘lame duck’ president facing a hostile Congress at home. What could he teach Modi, who is in his initial days as prime minister?

Prime Minister Modi is still in the early years of power, so their positions are very different. President Obama is in his last two years, but in foreign policy, presidents can often act under such conditions. Obama has nothing to teach Modi, but there is plenty of room for cooperation.