A comprehensive history of America s ties with South Asia (Book Review)
American interest in South Asian countries (particularly India) -- which deepened after the British decolonisation in 1947 in search of capitalist opportunities -- has come a long way since such interest was first evinced in the early 18th century.
So says historian and a senior fellow at the Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research Srinath Raghavan as he traces the relations between US and the South Asia over the past couple of hundred years to the present. Examining thousands of declassified documents the author explores the political and economical reasons behind the American interest in South Asia particularly India Afghanistan and Pakistan. These three countries of the eight in the South Asian region -- the others being Bangladesh Bhutan Nepal Sri Lanka and Maldives -- have been of "greater interest" to the US over the others the author writes.
The book offers three lenses through which American-South Asian ties from their beginnings to President Donald Trump s era can be defined as power (and the pursuit of economic political and military interests); ideology; and culture.
Way back in 1784 when the first American ship sailed to Pondicherry (now Puducherry) on the subcontinent s south-eastern coast seeking to do trade it was a country unrecognised by Indians based on its flag on the vessel.The British East India Company founded in 1600 for trading with the Southeast Asia and later in China played a key role in establishing trade links between America and India.
"...the British Empire created structural links between America and India. As the East India Company bored deeper into the subcontinent it began to export large quantities of Indian produce especially textiles and spices to the American colonies " the author notes.
While the World Wars and the political situation had trade relations in turmoil in the early 20th century it was not just commerce but also faith that was keeping the Americans interested in the region.
"All religions are tolerated here... Some of the natives have been converted to Roman Catholic some are Mahometans (Muslims) but the great body are gentoos or Hindus the original religion of the country " noted one of the visiting Americans during his voyage to India.
From then American President Theodore Roosevelt s (1858-1919) "vociferous" admiration of the British Raj influenced by English author Rudyard Kipling s popular poem "White Man s Burden" calling on the Americans to colonise the Philippines to Swami Vivekananda s speech receiving a standing ovation from thousands of Americans at the Parliament of World s Religions in 1893 at Chicago -- several efforts furthered the ties between the US and India in particular.
The country and its leaders were also particularly drawn to Mahatma Gandhi s non-violent struggle for freedom from the British rule which began after the World War I (1914-1918).
From details of India s fraffect the brain similarly and cutting back can lead to negative side effects. Anxiety headaches irritability and depression are some of those outcomes.
Understanding whether withdrawal may also occur with highly processed foods was an essential next step in evaluating the validity of food addiction Schulte said.
--IANS rt/ksk
