South Asia Monitor: President Clinton's South Asia Trip: Beginning of a Long Road - April 14, 2000

April 14, 2000

President Bill Clinton's long-awaited trip to South Asia heralded India's centrality to U.S. policy in South Asia, and a new economic emphasis in U.S.-Indian relations. For the region, Clinton's message was one of continuing interest, underlined by the first-ever presidential visit to Bangladesh, and concern, emphasized by the sober visit to Pakistan.

If India emerged as the key player in U.S. policy toward South Asia, Pakistan is a key problem. Although much of the trip deliberately focused on other issues, the first measure of its success will be whether India and Pakistan can reduce tensions in the next few months. The second test will come in January, when the next U.S. administration decides how to continue the new policy.