India, Dec. 11 -- As with several issues, one can see wide and visible oscillations in the US' look-East policy, especially on how to deal with India and China, separately and collectively. Washington plays the carrot-and-stick game with New Delhi, as the former tightens screws in some areas, and its leaders verbally praise the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. America changed its stock-and-stick policy vis-a-vis China to a stick-and-carrot one, after President Donald Trump inked a temporary, but sweet deal with the Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

Now, a White House document reflects a pivot to deepen ties with India, despite the tariff overdose, and delays in signing a bilateral trade deal, as a counterweight to China in the Indo-Pa...