Context
US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer has called it quits, citing professional, family and personal reasons. After seeing many highs in US-India relations in his brief tenure of two years, Mr. Roemer is leaving on a rather low note- the resignation comes just one day after India turned down two US bids for its 10 billion-dollar aircraft deal. The administration of President Obama had been viewing the multi-role combat aircraft contract as one which would create thousands of US jobs. While officials in Washington believe India’s rejection won’t cause any long-term damage to relations, there are some who think otherwise. “The feeling is that India may have settled for a plane, but could be foregoing a relationship,” former US State Department advisor Ashley Tellis said.
