Why Obama’s India visit charts new course

They will work together to keep freedom of navigation, maritime security and air space safe, especially in the South China Sea. They asserted that all disputes must be resolved within international law.

These are pointed references to China’s behaviour in the region where it is embroiled in disputes with the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan and even Indonesia. The statement shows that Mr Modi and Mr Obama share a common assessment on China.

But is also important to remember that this is not an “alliance” against China since both India and the US are economically engaged with Beijing. It is a sort of building of fences to ensure China follows international rules.

The other important takeaway was the renewing of the 10-year India-US defence framework agreement, which envisages more military co-operation between the two countries. The two also decided on four defence projects for co-development and co-production.

Although modest in scope, the projects will help India to start upgrading its defence manufacturing abilities.

The personal equation between Mr Modi and Mr Obama also helped get rid of long-standing problems in putting the civil nuclear deal into operation.

The US made a concession to withdraw its demand to “monitor in perpetuity” any nuclear material it sold to India which, in turn, offered to create an insurance pool to protect US suppliers from law suits.