Had Chanakya and Machiavelli his more recent incarnation been alive today they would have declared that in Washington and New Delhi Modi and Obama were not doing any favours to each other. They were simply transacting international business as dictated by their respective national interests. Nations only have national interests. They do not have any permanent principles they follow in international matters. Their national interests dictate what they do or don't do in any given situation. National interest is permanently paramount. Foreign policy principles evolve or change dictated by the national interests. By their very subservience to national interests foreign policy principles come and go.
So I say to some of my Indian friends including political leaders who have been fawning over Obama: Stop the ugly and unbecoming display of subservience. If his national interest had dictated a visit to Pakistan or China he would have been there. Yes, at this juncture India could and would benefit from a deeper cooperation with the US. But cooperation must not diminish India's sovereignty or Indians' pride in India. The pride generated by or flowing from the visit of the president, even of the solitary super power, can only be temporary; the pride of belonging to the most ancient civilization that should enable Indians to take Obama's visit in stride is permanent.
Obama's visit to India was motivated by US national interest as was Modi's earlier visit to the US motivated by India's. Obama didn't do any favours to India by visiting New Delhi just as Modi didn't any to the US by being in Washington. These things are strictly national business, more productively accomplished if the two leaders get along; and it seems Modi and Obama do.
Judging from afar Obama's visit to India has gone without a hitch or swimmingly as they say. As a result Modi and Obama have both enhanced their standing internationally and domestically. Modi has clearly positioned India as a serious regional and international player. Obama has decided India is the pivot and partner US needs in Asia to promote and protect its geopolitical interests. India obviously has its own interests to ensure in South and South East Asia. To promote and protect its geopolitical interests it has been reaching out to Vietnam, Japan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and others. It has also been mindful of the need for developing an appropriate relationship of mutual respect and enhanced trade with China.
In the overall context of the world affairs and regional imperatives India needs to be fully engaged with our closest as well as distant neighbours and friends. Despite my misgivings about the Hidutva thrust of the RSS and some elements of its political offspring the BJP, I must say Modi's has been an engaging international presence. Much of what he has been doing internationally since taking over as Prime Minister will stand India in good stead.
But enough of the fawning! It is unbecoming of the great and most ancient civilization of India!!