India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, is set to meet with US President Barack Obama next week in order to strengthen the ties between the two countries. This meeting is significant as India is increasingly taking on a larger role in global issues such as climate change and trade. The visit, starting on November 23, is viewed by New Delhi as a way to gauge Obama's commitment to maintaining the relationship that was established under his predecessor, George W. Bush. India is also seen as an important player in bringing stability to the South Asian region, which has been plagued by violence in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as militant attacks like the ones in Mumbai last year. During the talks, Singh and Obama will discuss various issues including carbon emissions, defense contracts, and the completion of a nuclear deal signed the previous year. This visit is significant as it is the first state visit of the Obama administration and showcases Singh's efforts to strengthen ties with Western economies and move India away from years of mistrust with Washington. The trip's success will be judged by whether the two leaders can address any doubts about Washington's commitment to New Delhi in a region where it competes with China and Pakistan, both key U.S. foreign policy priorities. According to Walter Andersen from Johns Hopkins University, the current relationship between India and the U.S. is positive but lacks a significant defining issue like the civilian nuclear deal under President George Bush. This visit presents an opportunity for both countries to introduce new ideas to strengthen their strategic relationship. President Bill Clinton initiated efforts to build ties with modern India after the Cold War, while his successor Bush furthered relations with a 2008 civilian nuclear deal that ended a long-standing embargo on India. The bilateral trade between India and the United States increased significantly from $5.6 billion in 1990 to around $43 billion in 2008, marking a 675 percent rise. However, some in India were displeased with Obama's early focus on Pakistan to combat the Taliban and his prioritization of relations with China, as they had hoped to build on the progress made during Bush's presidency. South Asia specialist Stephen Cohen from the Brookings Institution think tank noted that while relations between the two countries are strong in areas like trade, climate change, defense sales, and counter-terrorism, there appears to be a divergence at the strategic level. The U.S. strategy for Afghanistan, which involves Pakistan as a key ally, has been criticized for not taking into account the concerns of regional countries like India, which is vying with Islamabad for influence in Kabul. Since gaining independence from Britain in 1947, India and Pakistan have engaged in three wars. India is concerned about China's increasing influence over the U.S. economy, as well as its support for Pakistan. Additionally, India worries about China's displeasure with the Dalai Lama's presence in India. This leads to anxiety in India when the U.S. focuses on China and Pakistan, according to Chintamani Mahapatra, a foreign policy professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. "It will seek a statement that recognizes India's increased role in the region and addresses the fact that the Obama administration has marginalized New Delhi. However, Washington values India for its economic power, large market, thriving IT industry, military strength, and potential to balance China. Among the challenges Singh will address are the stalled nuclear deal due to liability protection for American companies and nuclear fuel reprocessing rights for India. India is also hopeful that Obama will express support for a permanent seat for India on the U.N. Security Council. Former U.S. ambassador to India, Frank Wisner, stated, 'We can discuss strategy, economics, and global issues.'" If we want to accomplish any of our goals, we must have the cooperation of India.