More than the agreement itself, the circumstances surrounding thenegotiations which preceded its finalisation and the changing attitudeto the US amongst the present political leaders in power in New Delhiand the small group of officials and non-official intellectualsadvising them should be a matter of concern to public opinion. Thenegotiations and the background against which these were conductedbrought out certain defining characteristics of the leaders and theiradvisers. Firstly, the lack of transparency. All governments in Indiahave tended to be less transparent than they ought to have been, butnone has been more opaque in policy-making than the present one.Second, the noticeable contempt for those expressing reservationsabout the present policy of the government towards the US in generaland this agreement in particular. One could sense an orchestratedattempt to ridicule and discredit them. Even Indira Gandhi, during theemergency, had not indulged in such tactics to discredit heropponents. Third, an uncritical fascination for the US and adisquieting belief that India's ultimate salvation and its emergenceand recognition as a major power lie in close relations with the USand a readiness to be subservient to its policy goals. Fourth, agreater willingness to be sensitive to the views and concerns ofAmerican legislators and moulders of public opinion than to those ofIndia.