President Obama’s Political Style: Tips For India

Since the day Barack Obama won the U.S. Presidential race, the bureaucracy, politicians, media and analysts in India are busy examining his statements relating to India. The future of Indo-U.S. relations under the Obama Administration has emerged as the favorite theme of discussion for the Indian intelligentsia.

Undoubtedly the change of guard in Washington will profoundly impact the nature of the bilateral relationship. The impact will be profound not only because a Democratic administration is replacing the Republicans after eight years, but also because President Obama seeks to fundamentally change the ways in which the U.S. interacts with the rest of the world. President Obama reflects the emergence of a new leadership style and political ideology (Obama’s politics of bipartisanship) in the U.S. Changing dynamics in the U.S. could serve India’s interests as well if India is prepared to view relations in a new perspective. Understanding President Obama and his style of politics holds the key for crafting a buoyant relationship between India and the U.S.

First and foremost, the discussion has to shift from “What will the Obama Administration provide for India?� to “What can India provide for the Obama Administration?� India has to emerge as a partner for the U.S. capable of shouldering the burden of responsibilities and taking difficult decisions. India will have to appropriately project the geo-strategic advantages of deepening bilateral relations. President Obama is expected to be impressed even by latent potentially and promise of opportunity. He is likely to redouble his efforts for realizing such potentials and ensuring mutual advantages.

Second, excessive insistence on negative diplomacy, aiming at maligning Pakistan, will not serve India’s interest in any way. India should in no way expect that the U.S. will impose stringent sanctions or snap ties with Pakistan despite evidence that the latter is involved in supporting terrorist activities. Inclusion is the central element of Obama’s style of politics and under his leadership the U.S. is expected to tread the path between belligerence and isolationism.

Third, there is an urgent need on India’s part to replace rhetoric with merit based arguments. Convincing discussions based on facts and supported by logical arguments are more likely to serve India’s cause. Succinct statements carrying the message in unambiguous terms have been Obama’s style of communication.

Fourth, India will have to demonstrate the poise and self-restraint displayed in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks in November last year. Reckless action provoked by unwanted policy reversals or enforced by other environmental constraints would put India under the scanner. The impressive composure and conduct demonstrated by President Obama during the Presidential elections and thereafter has allowed him to remarkably sail through rough weather.

Fifth, India will have to adopt the style of “empowering leadership� in South Asia to strengthen her case as a global power. Opportunities rather than hindrances; assistance rather than criticism and guidance rather than domination have to emerge as defining characteristics of India’s regional policy. President Obama himself personifies a collaborative bottom-up leadership approach.

Sixth, Indian bureaucrats and leaders will have to do their homework and be prepared with details and analysis while interacting with the Obama administration. Irresponsible comments by India’s leadership or lack of information on the bureaucrat’s part may diminish the India’s credibility. Written agendas, concise briefing, well-disciplined team, minimal yet orderly interaction with the press were some of the features of President Obama’s election campaign.

India will have to reorient her terms of reference with the U.S. under the Obama administration. A shared commitment to democracy will not automatically translate into resilient partnership; regional profile will not guarantee a privileged place in the new alliance of nations; shared sympathies as victims of terrorism will not result in preferred counter-terrorism strategies; regional threat perceptions will not rationalize expansion of the nuclear program. Comprehending Obama’s style of politics does not imply that India needs to surrender her geo-political priorities to please the new administration in Washington.
Nor does it amount to alignment (heresy in Indian foreign policy) with the U.S. Through a harmless adaptation of diplomatic strategy India can synchronize her national interests with the priorities of the Obama Administration.
Robert Jervis advised that national policies depend on perceptions of decision makers and thus India stands to gain by understanding President Obama’s perceptions.