What India Wants | What Obama Wants | |
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It isn't every year that the president of the most powerful country comes calling on India. In fact, till a decade ago, most presidents of the United States of America didn't think India even deserved a stopover on their forays into Asia. Then, in 2000, Bill Clinton landed in New Delhi to charm the Indians and create a new mould for Indo-US relations, followed six years later by George W. Bush, who was rated as the best American president for India. In case you think the media should have become accustomed to the visit of American leaders, and are surprised at the buzz over Barack Obama's forthcoming visit to this land of Mahatma Gandhi (whom the American president considers an exemplary leader), then you have quite obviously missed the point: he is the first US president to visit this country in the first half of his first term in office. That by itself is a testimony to the importance of India in the global arena, its gradual rise as a power, its relevance to the superpower that's said to be on a possible decline.
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Two major developments have prompted Obama to try and script a grand leap for India. One, the economic crisis which has cast most western economies into a tailspin. Two, the anxiety among many Asian countries engendered by the rise of an aggressive China. Agrees a senior official in the prime minister's office, "China's rise is the biggest thing that is happening around us." And when such a big change is under way, the Americans have to wake up and take stock.
Chinese warship fires missile in South China Sea
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A Look At The Presidential To-Do
Nov 6, Mumbai
- Lands in Mumbai early on Nov 6 on Air Force One (left). Two other planes ferry 126 journalists and over 250 captains of industry.
- 18 US military aircraft bring in dismantled choppers, armoured vehicles, communication equipment and security personnel (below left)
- Stays at the Taj Mahal Palace (bottom left), Mumbai, one of the sites of the 26/11 attacks. Almost the entire 604-room hotel booked for his entourage; 70 per cent of the staff to be packed off on compulsory leave.
- To read out a statement against terror at a small function where he interacts with 26/11 victims
- Visit the Gandhi Museum. The Father of the Nation was an inspiration for Obama. Also
celebrate Diwali at a school. - Speak at a summit of the Indian-US business communities
Nov 7, Mumbai
- Address a town hall-type meeting at St Xavier's College
- Attend a round-table conference on agricultural cooperation and food security
- After lunch, leave for Delhi
Nov 7, Delhi
- Humayun Tomb to be first port of call in Delhi. Then drive down to Roosevelt House for US ambassador event.
- Will stay at Maurya Sheraton. All three wings booked for the Americans. An entire floor reserved for Obama and Michelle.
- The Maurya to serve an Obama platter, a mix of special meat, chicken and seafood dishes
- Attend a private dinner at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence
Nov 8, Delhi
- After guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan (below), drives down to Rajghat (bottom) to pay homage to the Mahatma
- One-to-one meeting with Manmohan at Hyderabad House, followed by delegation-level talks
- Obama and team to attend lunch hosted by PM. After signing agreements, to hold joint press meet.
- Address joint special session of Parliament
- Attend presidential banquet hosted by Pratibha Patil in the evening. A 20-minute cultural capsule on "essence of India" likely to precede dinner.
Nov 9, Depart
- Leaves for Indonesia
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But then China began flexing its muscle, exploiting the economic crisis to surpass Japan as the world's second-largest economy and then staking unilateral claims over South China Sea and other islands in East and Southeast Asia. The other countries of the region, mostly close allies of the US, were not only alarmed but wondered whether the US was deliberately forsaking its role of a stabiliser in the Asia-Pacific and allowing China to carve its sphere of influence there.
Courting India: Obama with Indian-origin Americans at an event.
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Agrees Arvind Subramanian, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Washington, "This is a serious issue. The overall climate for openness in the US is not great, especially for issues such as outsourcing. The fact that Indian companies contribute to the US economy helps but it does not fundamentally alter whether or not the US is inclined to take protectionist action."
Eastern Manoeuvres: Obama with the Indian premier at the White House
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Amidst fervent attempts to woo business in Mumbai, American sources say Obama will be provided a glimpse of India's progress in e-governance and panchayati raj. He's likely to be hooked live to a chaupal in session. Why isn't the media abuzz with speculation about a big-ticket deal? Partly, officials say, this is deliberate, aimed at lowering expectations to avoid disappointment. But the more significant reason is that a big-ticket idea can't be floated every time Indian and American leaders meet, that the nuclear deal was a game-changer and the gains have to be now consolidated, and that the thrust now is to have India and the US enter into global partnership.
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Obama is expected to carve out a much bigger role for India in the immediate region, and more importantly, across the globe. The two sides are now contemplating to work together for poverty alleviation not only in India but also in the countries of Africa. A substantial role is likely to be defined for India in Afghanistan, testifying to Obama's acceptance that peace and stability there have a direct bearing on India's security.
Wives Inc Michelle Obama with Gursharan Kaur in Washington
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Ultimately, as the US plans to create space for India to play a global role, New Delhi shouldn't forget that it can't expect others to hold its hand to glory. India will have to understand America's compulsions in Afghanistan, and seize upon other opportunities to raise its profile as a great nation that's devoid of hunger and believes in progress for all.
Also In This Story |
cover story India's unhappy with America's selective information-sharing, but will downplay it right now |
view from the US Change isn't all that easy to come by, as Obama finds at home. Can the India trip provide another historic moment for him, and us? |
pakistan In visiting India, Barack Obama will leave lots of Pakistanis feeling slighted. How is Islamabad coping? |
Interview On Bush and Obama, the growing Indo-US relations and the expectations from the Obama visit to India |
opinion There is no reason for China to worry over improving Indo-US ties. |
barack obama India Inc is too pragmatic to be overly expectant from Obama's visit |
rustic route US presidents have always liked their little photo-ops in Indian 'gaons', the villagers don't mind the spot in the sun either |
opinion American soft power does hold us in thrall, but with reservation |
Authors: Pranay Sharma
People: Barack Obama
Tags: Indo-US
Section: International
Subsection: Cover Stories
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pakistan In visiting India, Barack Obama will leave lots of Pakistanis feeling slighted. How is Islamabad coping? |
Interview On Bush and Obama, the growing Indo-US relations and the expectations from the Obama visit to India |
opinion There is no reason for China to worry over improving Indo-US ties. |
barack obama India Inc is too pragmatic to be overly expectant from Obama's visit |
rustic route US presidents have always liked their little photo-ops in Indian 'gaons', the villagers don't mind the spot in the sun either |
opinion American soft power does hold us in thrall, but with reservation |
Authors: Pranay Sharma
People: Barack Obama
Tags: Indo-US
Section: International
Subsection: Cover Stories
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Oct 30, 2010 01:32 PM 1 | By the time he arrives in India, Obama will be a wounded Preident. The November 2nd Congressional election is, by all projections, going to be a very punishing one for the Democrats, and a repudiation of Obama's policies. His India visit can not produce any results that can be helpful to him back home except that the newspaper photos and television images of his reception in India may be pleasing for his supporters. Personally he has been a friend of India. He is an admirer of Gandhi. He has appointed several NRI's to high level positions in his administration. I wish him well for the success of his visit. |
Oct 30, 2010 01:38 PM 2 | "We can only keep our fingers crossed praying that this 'Namaste India' doesn't turn into 'Nemesis India' post-Obama-visit." |
Oct 30, 2010 04:15 PM 3 | For India having such a weak friend like USA is very foolish and hope-less. Pakistan has the much stronger Friend: China! |
Oct 30, 2010 04:31 PM 4 | "Barack Obama's nod to India will get us due recognition—if not momentous deals" Not with this slave mentality. Who cares about "due recognition" from Obama? What good is a "good dog" pat on a back "due recognition" if our dishes are empty? |
Oct 30, 2010 06:29 PM 5 | Unlike other Indian politicians who will sell their hearts, souls and fathers for corruption money, MMS has one single agenda : to sell India to the US. The good side is that MMS is not corrupt in the monetary sense. The BAD news, is the import of US culture, including Anti-male politics. WAKE UP, MALES! SPEAK UP! |
Oct 30, 2010 09:12 PM 6 | India gets only kind words and vague assurances - the action of US and Obama govt tell the real story : All Obama is interested in is protectionism, saving jobs in US, creating new jobs by getting millions in defense, nuclear and other big item ticket deals, sweetheart deals and no liability for MNCs, access to India's insurance, retail and other sectors of economy, while at the same time arming Pakistan to the teeth to fight India, turning a blind eye to terrorist funding by Pakistan etc. This Obama visit is nothing more than another jamboree like the CWG - Sonia and family, Manmohan and others will get some nice photo ops with the visitors, India will signing away deals which favor US interests. |
Oct 30, 2010 09:44 PM 7 | For whatever reason Democrats have a reserved approach towards India (doesnt go beyond the regular rhetoric) when compared to republicans...It has been the case for the last 5 decades. Hopefully Obama will reverse it..or will he ? |
Oct 30, 2010 09:55 PM 8 | Welcome Obama ji, to India! |
Oct 30, 2010 11:13 PM 9 | India should for once be smart enough and grab this chance of increased trade and increased presence in the world. There is good chance we will make a mess of it. The leftist guilt inside us can suddenly spring up and start shouting against MNC 'exploiters' and capitalism in general. But let us remember for once that, COMMUNIST China has no problem in getting trillion dollar American investments and sending 1000 billion dollar goods to the USA. While neighbourhood Islamic Pakistan may keep claiming hatred for all values American, but has no problem in grabbing all aid possible. Now are we going to be smart and selfish for India's interest. Or suddenly become losers again pretending to ourselves that we are the world's Conscience against the USA... |
Oct 30, 2010 11:41 PM 10 | Trade, investment, technology. Not one word to be spoken about the smaller neighbour, because that diminishes us, quite a few about the larger one. And wonderful atmospherics, because the mutual respect and regard rest on shared interests and shared values. |
Oct 31, 2010 12:06 AM 11 | India will be a market that USA will not be able to avoid...due to symbiosis...( not the MBA school man :)) US needs Indian talent on soft skills...India needs USA to counter the regional imbalance thanks to Chinese....eventually china may never attack India due to USA and no one else!!! Obama should undo this myth that democrats are averse to India....He should stop being eloquent ( unreasonably at times) and deliver both locally in US and regionally across...Bush for once got the equation right with India...it will pay huge dividends to the USA to ally with an honest partner like India...We may be diplomatic certainly not crooks like pakis and chinese |
Oct 31, 2010 01:31 AM 12 | 2008 American presidency was a poison chalice for Obama to sip. The poison: the mighty American economy was crumbling. Being a black man, he couldn't have won the presidency in the best of times; as Americans, by and large, the whites any way; it is anathema for a black man occupying the White House. Bush's last term coupled with the mighty American economy was crumbling around him like house of cards and no white man was going to win the presidency because the white men in power and positions blamed for the economy going down into the abyss. Obama was seen as a breath of fresh air coupled with his positive missive of 'can do approach' struck accord with the electorate, by and large, and he won the election which wouldn't have been possible in the best of time: prosperous time. As akin to Shakespeare's Henry IV Part II: "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown", Obama realised that the American presidency was a poison chalice-fixing the American economy was an herculean task that he couldn't fix it within his allotted two terms. His core constituents-the African Americans, Latinos and others who are at the lower rug of American social ladder thought Obama could fix their problem-foreclosures-with his magic wand. Even though he is not facing the election, his party-the Democrat-is going to get caned at the Congressional elections. Besieged Obama's beeline- India where he can act like presidential momentarily and escape the heat at home. 'Wagging the dog' is a phrase in American media circle often used when American President is in trouble at home, he orders a military strike at a foreign target perceived to be an area where the terrorists are harbouring. President Clinton did it when he was embroiled in the Monica Lewinsky scandal and other presidents before him did likewise. For Obama such act is not going to pacify the waspish Americans seething to punish his party at the Congressional elections. What else besieged Obama could do? Escape to India for respite. Namaste Obama! Welcome to India. |
Oct 31, 2010 02:32 PM 13 | Obama is coming here carrying the enire mall. And the helpfully with the cart. Manmohan Singh loves his American goodies. Overpriced & generally useless. And usually with no aftersale service or AMC. So we shall be doing a cart-ful of shopping paying cash , no credit card please! Also do not expect to be forewarned if another Headly is doing his scouting job right now under benign supervision of their cloak & dagger fellows. |
Oct 31, 2010 04:30 PM 14 | Is the media DELIBERATELY trying to divert attention from the TRILLION$$$ worth Nuclear deal? Besides, the ANTI-MALE agenda will be high on Sonias priorities for import into this country. WAKE UP, MALES! SPEAK UP! |
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Palash Biswas
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