India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be meeting with US President Barack Obama next week to enhance their relationship, as India becomes more influential in global matters such as climate change and trade. The three-day state visit, starting on November 23, is important for New Delhi as it signifies Obama's commitment to maintaining the strong ties established under George W. Bush. India is also seen as a crucial player in promoting stability in South Asia, where violence in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as attacks like the ones in Mumbai last year, have caused unrest. During the meeting, Singh and Obama will discuss a range of issues, including reducing carbon emissions, defense contracts, and expediting the implementation of a significant civilian nuclear agreement signed last year. This visit will be the first state visit of the Obama administration, underscoring Singh's efforts to strengthen relations with Western countries and move India towards a more positive relationship with the United States after years of mistrust. The success of the trip will be determined 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 of which are considered important to U.S. foreign policy. According to Walter Andersen of Johns Hopkins University, the relationship between India and the U.S. is good, but lacks a defining issue like the civilian nuclear deal that characterized the relationship during George Bush's presidency. The 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 India after the Cold War, and India began to open up its economy in the 1990s. Bush furthered relations with the 2008 civilian nuclear deal, which lifted an embargo imposed in 1974 after India conducted a nuclear test. Bilateral trade increased significantly from $5.6 billion in 1990 to around $43 billion in 2008, representing a 675 percent rise. However, Obama's initial focus on Pakistan in combating the Taliban and prioritizing relations with China caused tension with some in India, who had hoped to continue building on Bush's legacy. While trade, climate change, defense sales, and counter-terrorism have seen positive developments in their relations, there appears to be disagreement on a strategic level. The U.S. strategy for Afghanistan, which involves a focus on Pakistan as a key ally, has been criticized for not addressing the concerns of regional countries like India, which competes with Pakistan for influence in Kabul. India and Pakistan have engaged in three conflicts since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. India, currently facing heightened tensions with China over border disputes, is concerned about China's significant influence on the U.S. economy and its support for Pakistan. Similarly, Beijing is uneasy about the presence of the Dalai Lama in India. This has led to India feeling anxious when the U.S. focuses on China and Pakistan. Chintamani Mahapatra, a foreign policy professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, expressed these concerns. The statement being sought should recognize India's increasing importance in the region and address the perception that the Obama administration has sidelined New Delhi. However, Washington recognizes India's significance as an economic power, a large market, a thriving IT industry, a strong military, and a potential counterbalance to China. Prime Minister Singh will address challenging issues such as the stalled nuclear deal and India's desire for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council. Former U.S. ambassador to India, Frank Wisner, emphasized the importance of discussing strategy, economics, and global issues during the upcoming meeting. If we want to accomplish any of our goals, we require the cooperation of India.