By any standards, 2010 would be remembered as a watershed year in Indo-US ties,

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when President Barack Obama paid his maiden visit to India and endorsed his country's "indispensable partner" for a permanent UNSC berth, recognising New Delhi's emergence on the world stage.

Building on the progress made over the last two decades during the two previous presidencies of Bill Clinton and George W Bush, the Obama administration, as it had promised, took the relationship to a new level.

2010 will not only be remembered as a year when sixth ever US President visited India, the third consecutive one, but also a year when Obama endorsed India for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council; thus formally taking note of emergence of India on the world stage.

"This is my first trip to India, but this will be my longest visit to another country since becoming President. And that's because I believe that the relationship between the US and India will be one of the defining and indispensable partnerships of the 21st century," Obama had said during the US-India Business Council and Entrepreneurship Summit in Mumbai in November.

During the year, the two countries also came closer on the issue of Afghanistan. Post 9/11, India and the US have been working independently in Afghanistan; but this year saw more convergence of views on the war-torn country.

In fact, during Obama's India visit, the two sides agreed to identify projects which they can do together. It looks like the first such project would be in the agriculture sector.

Even though, the trust deficit between the two countries on the issue of Pakistan remained – albeit a bit less – the US, towards the end of the year, appeared to be more closer to the Indian argument that the key to terrorism in the region lies in Pakistan and some elements in its establishment.

This was reflected in various statements coming out from the top officials of the Obama Administration, asking Pakistan to do more in the war against terrorism

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The Obama administration also did not buy the Pakistani argument that resolution of the Kashmir issue was key to the success in the war against terrorism.

Despite repeated assertions – and even demands if some news reports are to be believed – at the highest level in Pakistani leadership, including by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Obama Administration refused to offer its services of mediation between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.

In the South Asian neighborhood, be it Sri Lanka, Bangladesh or Nepal, the two countries increased their area of cooperation. And to the surprise of many, the US and India this year started a sub-dialogue on South East Asia.

At least two rounds of such dialogue were held this year, which many experts believe is an effort to check the increasing influence of China in the region. However, both India and the US have denied this.

On Myanmar, the US this year appeared towing the Indian policy of engagement with the military leaders.