NEW YORK: India-U.S. relations could get off to a "pretty slow start" under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the two nations will have to get over the issues of denial of visa to him and arrest of an Indian diplomat as they seek to restore ties, a former U.S. envoy to India has said.
"(On) the U.S.-India relationship, (Modi) will get off to a pretty slow start in it. But there are objective factors which will make him want to have a good relationship with the United States," Robert Blackwill said.
"The question is will there be a new understanding in Washington in the administration of the importance of the U.S.-India relationship. Because without that, Modi will be one hand clapping," Blackwill said at a session here organized by the Council on Foreign Relations on 'The New Indian Government'.
Blackwill, who was the U.S. ambassador to India between 2001-2003, said the U.S.-India relations have been in a "trough" for the last couple of years and there has been lack of attention at the highest levels on both sides.
With Modi being denied a U.S. visa for almost a decade, Blackwill said the question arises as to how much of Modi's personal feeling over the issue would effect state policy between Washington and New Delhi.
