IndiaPost.com - US India security alliance discussion goes nuclear

India Post News Service

FREMONT: The Indian-American Security Leadership Council (IASLC) hosted a dinner reception & US India Security Alliance discussion on Saturday, September 8 along with co-hosts Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE), Northern California and Federation of Indo-Americans (FIA) of Northern California. The discussion was held at Dr. Romesh & Sunita Japra’s home, Japra Vineyards in Fremont, California.

The special guests of honor included Lt. General J Fr. Jacob, Admiral K. K. Nayyar and Air Marshal B. D Jayal. Admiral Nayyar is a member of National Security Advisory Board and Chairman, National Maritime Foundation and the Forum for Strategic & Security Studies, a New Delhi based think tank.

Air Marshal Jayal, an ex-test pilot, was awarded PVSM and AVSM awards for his service and is a major policy contributor for the Indian Air Force. Lt. General Jacob was Chief of Staff of the Indian Army during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation and Governor of Goa and Punjab. He is the author of ‘’Surrender at Dacca: Birth of a Nation’’. They are here in their personal capacities. In the US for a September 5 conference on an envisioned US-India Security Alliance, on Capitol Hill, the retired senior Indian armed forces officers are meeting with senior lawmakers in the US Congress and also the American public to convince them of the importance of a security alliance between the US and India.

The guests of honor were introduced by Krishna V. Srinivasa, Vice-President IASLC. They were welcomed by Dr Japra and Yogi Chugh and Bob Wassermann, Mayor of Fremont. Also present were Roger Bakshi, Anu Natarajan and Jeevan Zutshi among others. The main topic being discussed in Washington DC and at the Fremont discussion was the bilateral agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation, also known as the ‘123 agreement’.

General Jacob reminisced about his last trip to San Francisco in 1959 and called it "possibly one of the most beautiful cities in the world". He talked about how the US (most powerful democracy) and India (largest and most populous democracy) should be natural allies. He also commended the Indo-American community and said, "We know how much you are doing to make sure that the treaty will be signed". There have been a few hiccups along the way. However, India has an unblemished record when it comes to non-proliferation.

The two countries are progressing forward Ramesh V. Kapur, President IASLC, talked about how the three guests would be visiting various cities like Washington, San Jose, Chicago, Houston, Austin, Orlando, etc. He said that he believed in "politics is selfless" and tried to keep his personal leanings (Democratic) out of the equation.

Admiral Nayyar said that the "depth and strength being given to Indo-US relationship is due to the hard work of the Indian community in the US". He also narrated the story of a soldier of Indian origin being killed in Iraq. When his body reached Punjab for cremation, the whole village turned out to show their support. He said that Indians settled in the US are there not just for commercial or business reasons but are also ready to give up their lives for the country. This was greeted by thunderous applause.

He also mentioned that the US is in a stable area whereas India is in a highly unstable region. "If the US wants to establish security in the area as the ‘world’s security manager’, then the US-India alliance would be a natural conclusion". Air Marshal Jayal talked about the joint naval exercises being conducted by India, US, Australia, Singapore and Japan and said they were of significance in the building of a relationship. He also said that "the movement of a strategic alliance should not be held hostage to any one issue.

The relationship we are building is not so fragile. A strong military to military foundation is being laid". He also said that that both countries have been victims of terrorism as other free countries have been. The relationship between the two should not just be commercial but security based. Ramesh Kapur reiterated that when he said "IASLC is looking at both commercial and security sides, which will be the glue which will keep the countries together for the next 50 years".

We want to make sure that the average American when he thinks about India does not think about outsourced jobs but he thinks that the Indian jawans (soldiers) will keep the American boys safe. India as strategic ally along with Japan will keep them safe. This opportunity for an open debate will not come again so let us run with it.

The Indo- American community is the catalyst which will make it happen; this will be its ‘tryst with destiny’. He suggested that individuals write to their Congressmen and Congresswomen to talk about the 123 deal. Grassroots efforts can only help facilitate the 123 agreement. Indian American Security Leadership Council (IASLC), a bi-partisan organization, was created to encourage closer ties between America and India and to promote the idea that America’s future security would be greatly enhanced by working closely with India.

The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) is a Fremont based umbrella organization which consists of over 40 member organizations. The Indian American Forum for Political Education’s (IAFPE) mission is to empower Indian Americans politically by raising civic consciousness and increasing participation in community affairs and the mainstream political process.