Forget Iran or friendship is over: US lawmakers

This is no brainer to see posisble decline in Indo-US relations. The UPA government has completely failed to formulate a solid and long term foreign policy for India. Traditionally, if a democratic country wants to establish and retain its influence in the world community, there should be no significant changes in foreign policy with the change in government. Dr Manmohan Singh is recognized for being a scholar in the area of Economics but world diplomacy is a brutal game. There are no permanent friends and enemies. A lot of thinking and shrewd attitude towards the future are needed for a sound foreign policy. UPA coalition can be termed as a marriage of odd domestic political interests. India's long term strategic interest is much more important than natural gas flowing from Iran or good or not so good relations with the US. UPA government has put India in a spot where the country will have to make some tough choices. Some of these choices may or may not be in India's long term strategic interests. Lack of foresight has put India in a bind where it might have to just reject Indo-US nuclear agreement. This did not have to happen. India could maintain excellent relationship with the US and yet reject Iran completely. Iran would never be India's strategic partner. Iran always sides with other Islamic countries even if that means standing against India. UPA foreign policies have been filled with flip flops. Indian foreign policy under UPA government has been very immature. India's candidate for UN Secretary General was vetoed by US. India's claim for UNSC permanent membership never got an endorsement from the Bush administration. India still did not get the hint. The US foreign policy is driven by its long term strategic interests. India's long term strategic interests are not necessarily same as those of the US. Now we will have to wait till next general elections in India before any big change in the foreign policy can be achieved. It is very likely that US Congress would be harsh towards India because President Bush is a lame duck President with low approval ratings. The era of GOP congress acting as enabler for the Bush administration is over. There would be more oversight hearings and it will be impossible for Bush administration to make any concessions to India on Indo-US nuclear agreement.