Obama’s Appearance at India’s Republic Day Sends Message to China

NEW DELHI—U.S. President Barack Obama joined Indian leaders at a parade here Monday as the world’s second-most-populous nation shows off its military modernization efforts and cultural diversity.
Mr. Obama’s attendance is meant to be an important display of solidarity between the world’s two largest democracies in the face of an increasingly assertive, well-armed and authoritarian China that is shifting the balance of power in Asia.

The U.S. president’s three-day visit to India during the country’s symbolically important Republic Day celebrations marks a significant deepening in relations between the two countries amid mounting geopolitical tensions globally.

On Sunday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Mr. Obama’s visit “reflects the transformation of our relationship,” and said New Delhi and Washington “are prepared to step forward firmly to accept the responsibility of this global partnership—for our two countries and for the shaping the character of this century.”

This is the first time India—which spent much of the Cold War espousing nonalignment and nurturing ties with Russia as the U.S. cultivated New Delhi’s rivals, Pakistan and China—has invited an American head of state for the event. 

 Mr. Obama’s acceptance is a sign of renewed U.S. hope that India, under the leadership of a new government elected last year, will be able to achieve the sustained economic development that has long eluded it but is critical if the country is ever to become an effective strategic counterweight to China.

After a summit meeting between Messrs. Obama and Modi on Sunday, the two leaders said they would deepen defense cooperation, increasing joint exercises between the two countries’ armies and navies. They also agreed to work to jointly develop and produce defense technologies.  Read More at WSJ

• Narendra Modi’s Speech on Obama Visit in Full