The Hindu Business Line : Bush is back

IN AN IRONIC twist, the American people decided to unite behind a person who has perhaps divided them the most. No recent President of the United States polarised people more than Mr George W. Bush, yet he won their mandate for a second term in office, polling 3.5 million popular votes more than his Democrat challenger, Senator John Kerry. The vote for Mr Bush was perhaps a manifestation of the people's fear that the world was turning against the US, and that it needed a strong leader. Quite simply, Fortress America needs a commander-in-chief who would not hesitate to take on the world. Mr Kerry did not quite come across as a tough enough leader to take on this mantle. The issues he raised vis-à-vis the economy and the Iraq invasion struck a chord with the people but nothing more; he could not offer better solutions. With the church pitching in, Mr Bush had quick converts, leading to a Republican revival that got the Grand Old Party control of the Senate too.

If America loves anything more than power, it is flaunting it. This has raised apprehensions, especially in West Asia, over Mr Bush's return to the White House. For, Mr Bush, seeing in his re-election a vindication of his policies, could well saddle up to go on the warpath again. Besides making virtue of his attack of Iraq, Mr Bush has not made any secret of his desire to target Iran — by his definition, the other Axis of Evil in the region. Hopefully, Mr Bush will be restrained. There is no cheer in Europe too. For, as much as the US, Mr Bush also deeply divided the Continent when he lined up the coalition to invade Iraq with the caveat: "You are with us or against us". He has severely strained trans-Atlantic relations. The historic ties dating back to the Second World War and the Cold War appear to be fading with the past. No longer is NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) a water-tight alliance. On the economic front, Mr Bush has been on the rampage, running up huge deficits. The dollar, not exactly in the pink of its health, could fall further, with implications for the world economy. The uncertainty over his West Asia policy could also light a fire under crude prices.

What of India? Politically, New Delhi may see good news in the return of Mr Bush. While the war on terror has further strengthened US-Pakistan ties, undeniably, Washington and New Delhi have also come closer with Mr Bush warming up to India as a strategic partner and a global player. Economically, no doubt Washington's policies elsewhere, chiefly West Asia, could indirectly impact India, but, then, that is part of the geopolitical game. Directly, Mr Bush in office is good augury for India, as the bilateral trade is sure to grow rapidly and the US remains India's biggest customer for software. India need no more fear any clamp down, especially on the outsourcing business. No doubt as campaign hyperbole, Mr John Kerry raised the bogey of farming out businesses to India, but the way American elections have turned out, perhaps the US can consider outsourcing the conduct of elections to, what better place than India.