COLUMN - India's optimism about Obama not unjustified

(K. Subrahmanyam is a Reuters columnist. The views expressed are his own.)

By K. Subrahmanyam

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Obama's election as the 44th President of the United States was hailed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as an inspiration for not only the American people but also around the world.

The Prime Minister was reflecting the views of the overwhelming majority of the Indians. In his telephone call to the Indian Prime Minister, Obama is reported to have described the Indo-U.S. strategic relationship as very important and assured Dr Singh that the new set-up in Washington would work together with New Delhi on all important issues.

This reassurance chimes in with the earlier letter Senator Obama wrote to Dr Singh on 23rd September, 2008.

In that letter, Presidential candidate Obama had indicated his strong support to the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal and called for redoubling U.S.-Indian military, intelligence and law enforcement cooperation.

He emphasised that both India and U.S. were victims of terrorism and shared the common goal of defeating the forces of extremism.

Similarly he favoured that India and America should work together to promote democratic values and strengthen legal institutions in South Asia and beyond.

He suggested that the two nations should work hand in hand to tap into the creativity and dynamism of the entrepreneurs, engineers and scientists to promote development of alternative source of clean energy.