Though expectations are high, it is unlikely that Obama’s India visit would provide a fillip to the strategic partnership which has lost its sheen or reinvigorate the relationship.

President Barack Obama’s announcement that the “American combat role in Iraq has ended” has created fresh challenges for the region. Iraq needs to meet the daunting internal and external challenges in the wake of the American withdrawal to ensure stability.

Shared values and growing cooperation in a range of fields are transforming India-US relations into an enduring strategic partnership in the 21st century.

Since the US and its allies have no additional troops to contribute for the fight against the radical extremist forces in Afghanistan, the net must be enlarged to include military contributions from Afghanistan’s regional neighbours, perhaps under a UN flag.

Russia has considerably enhanced its international position by leveraging Western weaknesses stemming from the unwinnable war in Afghanistan and the adverse impact of the financial crisis, as well as Western dependence in dealing with Iran and North Korea.

Obama has crafted an administration that has a Clinton brain inside an Obama face. Clinton I lost Russia for the West. Clinton II aka Obama I is on track to lose India.

While it is premature to draw conclusions on Obama’s policy towards India, his first year in office certainly did not carry forward his predecessor’s initiatives.