What was achieved at the second annual meeting of the India-US strategic dialogue, which concluded here on Tuesday? Was it just another opportunity for the two countries to talk shop and reiterate their commitment to each other or did either of them emerge with something more tangible?

Opinion on these issues is divided. Some analysts feel that the meeting helped further reinforce the ties between the two countries. In the Defence area, they point to the joint statement issued at the conclusion of official level talks, which makes reference to the cyber-security initiative and data sharing.

The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on exchanging information on cyber-attacks and mutual response to cyber-security incidents, and to co-operate on cyber-security technology, and exchange information on related policy and best practices.

The meeting also helped push India's case in the global security environment. A point brought out by the joint statement is that India, Japan and the United States plan to commence a trilateral dialogue at senior official levels.

The two countries reiterated their commitment to building strong India-US civil nuclear energy cooperation through the participation of US nuclear energy firms in India on the basis of mutually acceptable technical and commercial terms and conditions that enable a viable tariff regime for the electricity generated.

The two sides are now looking forward to holding the first meeting of the US-India Joint Working Group later this year to implement the MoU on Cooperation with India's Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnerships.

No big-ticket announcements

The importance that the two countries attach to the relationship can perhaps be gauged by the number of high-ranking officials who attended the meeting.

But despite a number of policy statements, there were none of the big-ticket announcements associated with such visits earlier.

Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, a former diplomat pointed out: “The Indo-US relationship has been institutionalised. Now these annual interactions are held so that people at the top can take stock of what has been achieved during the past year and chalk out a road-map for the future.”

Others were more sceptical about the meeting. “The different subjects listed in the joint statement have been discussed between the two nations for the past 30 years. What is new?” asked a former diplomat.

Yet others expressed shock at the Foreign Secretary giving a briefing on Pakistan. “The briefing should have been done by the Foreign Minister. Besides, the US has always maintained that it is not interfering in Pakistan through India. So why the briefing?” he asked.

The absence of Defence Minister, Mr A. K. Antony, from the official lunch, even though one of the key focus areas during the talks was Defence, has also raised eyebrows. Another former diplomat pooh-poohed the idea of the relationship being strategic. “Like with every other country, we want US investment and increased people-to-people contact. So what is so strategic about the relationship with the US?” he asked.

Commenting on the visit, the former Indian Ambassador to the US, Mr Naresh Chandra, pointed out that Washington probably feels a bit disappointed that the “stage is not yet right to expand the civil nuclear cooperation”. He added that the statements were on expected lines, with both sides renewing their commitment to strengthening relations.

Business as usual

Offering a more practical view, a former diplomat said that till 2014 nothing spectacular can, nor should be, expected in the relationship.

“The joint statement shows the good work done by diplomats on both sides. The document is full of promises to one another but it shows lack of political vision on both sides. We will have to wait till 2014, when elections are scheduled to be held in both the countries, for the relationship to be given a further push. Till then, it is likely to be business as usual,” he pointed out.

However, many felt there was nothing wrong in waiting. “Currently the relationship is cruising along. India will continue to achieve growth rates of 8.5-9 per cent and America will find a lucrative market here. The goals set for trade and investment will be met. But if we want to move to the next level of engagement, then political will is required. The foot has to get off the brake and be on the accelerator to give India-US ties a push into the 21{+s}{+t} century,” a former diplomat said.

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