Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has trumpeted a new era of friendship with US President Barack Obama but experts say the Indian premier will be careful not to alienate traditional ally Russia or giant rival China.
The US president was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade on Monday after accepting an invitation that is one of the biggest honors a country can bestow on a foreign leader.
Obama and Modi sat side by side watching the display of military might — including gun-toting soldiers on camel-back and Soviet-era tanks — that characterizes the annual celebrations of the birth of modern India. Their strong show of solidarity, which followed lengthy talks on Sunday and a breakthrough in a long-stalled nuclear pact, is seen as a crucial counterweight to an increasingly assertive China.
A balancing act
Neelam Deo, Director, gateway House, has been quoted in an article on Modi attempting to balance the U.S. and Russia in light of the Republic Day visit of Obama. This article has been published by Arab News