Though the formation of a new government is more than a month away, key departments on Raisina Hill and India’s allies globally have started preparing for the next occupant of 7, Race Course Road.
Diplomatic sources said the Obama administration has already communicated through official channels that White House was prepared to host a bilateral dialogue for the new Prime Minister before the annual UN General Assembly session this September.
Feelers have also been sent that President Obama may send a senior minister, probably secretary of state John Kerry, to New Delhi to revitalise bilateral ties soon after the new government is sworn in. European powers like France and Germany also are looking towards an early engagement.
Both the home and defence ministries are preparing to brief the new government on the level of preparedness with concerns over the fallout of US drawdown in Afghanistan on India’s internal security situation, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir.
"A section of the national security establishment is of the opinion that Pakistan will try and test the resolve of the new government, particularly if it is a BJP government, by engineering a situation in either Kashmir or the hinterland in the first six months," said a home ministry official.
{{/usCountry}}"A section of the national security establishment is of the opinion that Pakistan will try and test the resolve of the new government, particularly if it is a BJP government, by engineering a situation in either Kashmir or the hinterland in the first six months," said a home ministry official.
{{/usCountry}}Back home, foreign secretary Sujatha Singh has asked her key departments to prepare brief notes on the "achievable" on the foreign policy front with focus on short, medium and long-term objectives.
"All ministries on Raisina Hill are busy preparing presentations for the new government. This includes highlights on the present state and what needs to be done on a priority basis," said an official with the external affairs ministry.