Would you like an American's point of view too? Because I see this as politics instead of substance.
What does "
par with NATO allies" even mean
? We treat our allies as though they are on tiers. At the top are the UK, Japan, Australia, France, Norway and Canada. Then the rest of West Europe, and then East Europe.
That's how it's always been. So it begs the question, "
How is India going to be treated and what does this mean?"
Are we going to sell them our best gear like we do with Norway, the UK and Japan? If trends are any indicator, no we are not. We will offer to jointly develop certain technologies and offer our assistance with some of their domestic programs, but we aren't opening the floodgates and offering them our best gears.
Are we going to greatly expand our intelligence cooperation with India, to the same level with do with our top-tier allies? Again, I doubt it. I can't help but think India doesn't want our intelligence staff manning their stations like we do with NATO partners:
Are we going to sign a host of basing, logistics and cooperation agreements like we have with NATO partners? Such is already happening and will continue to do so.
India isn't on par with NATO allies nor is it becoming such. It is on par with some NATO allies, but it is not held or treated with the regard of our best and most trusted allies and long-term partners. India is important, but it's too new for us to jump in bed with fully. There are too many questions about their long-term commitment and cooperation with us and this hampers our willingness to elevate their status.
And honestly, they feel the same way because we've a poor track record when it comes to treating them nicely or respecting their interests, which we still don't because we're only concerned about our own
. We call this phenomenon 'Politics".
So there's going to be increased partnership, and maybe a loosening of export restrictions, but not by much, but for the most part this is political and a message to South and East Asia that the US sees India as an important part of regional economic, political and military security. Which India most definitely is.
Just an American's thoughts. But you know how crazy American's can be, right? Never mind our thoughts
.