Narendra Modi vs the Dynasty: Contrasting Ideas of India

anmol · Post by **anmol** » 13 Feb 2014 12:17

U.S. Reaches Out to India's Modi
by NIHARIKA MANDHANA, online.wsj.com
February 11th 2014 1:20 AM

NEW DELHI—The top U.S. diplomat in India is set to meet the main opposition candidate for prime minister this week in a stark shift by Washington, which has kept a distance from the polarizing Hindu nationalist politician.

[..]

With Indian elections two or three months away, "it makes sense" for the U.S. to establish contact with Mr. Modi, said Alyssa Ayres, a former State Department official who is now a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

U.S. Ambassador Nancy Powell is expected to meet Mr. Modi in Gujarat's capital city of Gandhinagar on Thursday, the BJP said.

"This is usual. Diplomats meet with the economic and political leadership of the country they are in," said Meenakshi Lekhi, a spokeswoman for the BJP. Leaders and ambassadors of several countries, including China and the U.K., have also been in touch with Mr. Modi, she said. Peter Vrooman, an embassy spokesman, said the meeting is part of an outreach to political and business leaders "to highlight the U.S.-India relationship."

In 2005, the U.S. denied a diplomatic visa to Mr. Modi, and revoked his tourist visa under a law that makes foreign officials ineligible if they were "responsible for or directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom."

Mr. Modi's political opponents and some human-rights and religious groups accuse him of failing to prevent communal clashes that killed more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, in the western state of Gujarat. Mr. Modi has said his government did its best to stop the violence. In December, however, a Gujarat court said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him.

"The Dec. 26 court decision in India strikes me as a decisive change in the situation," said Ms. Ayres of the Council on Foreign Relations. "It was a significant moment because after all these years, there was legal clarity on the issue."

[..]

anmol · Post by **anmol** » 13 Feb 2014 12:21

www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-i ... 7H20140213

U.S. envoy meets India's Modi, signaling end of boycott
by Frank Jack Daniel, reuters.com
February 12th 2014 11:36 PM

(Reuters) - With flowers, smiles and handshakes, the U.S. ambassador to India met the Hindu nationalist leader who could be India's next prime minister on Thursday - a big step towards ending Washington's shunning of him over sectarian violence in 2002.

[..]

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, is considered the favorite to form a government after the general election.

"The guy would prime minister and that's different from being chief minister. You can't shut out the prime minister of one of our largest allies and someone who frankly is very pro-American," a congressional source in Washington told Reuters.

Modi has always denied accusations that he allowed or even encouraged attacks on Muslims in the 2002 riots and a Supreme Court inquiry found no evidence to prosecute him.

The violence erupted after 59 people, mostly Hindu pilgrims, were killed in a fire on a train. Hindu crowds subsequently killed at least 1,000 people, most of them Muslims, across Gujarat.

VISA ON MERIT

The U.S. State Department said any application for a visa would be treated on its merits.

But the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a government agency which recommended that visas be denied to Modi in 2005, said it had not changed its position.

"Neither the passage of time nor any change in Mr. Modi's position in government absolves him and his government of their alleged involvement, negligence, and complicity in the 2002 violence," its chairman, Robert George, told Reuters.

[..]

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 13 Feb 2014 12:52

Lets hope that, Modi doesn't suddenly develop cancer, as a result of this meeting.

JohnTitor · Post by **JohnTitor** » 13 Feb 2014 13:04

I don't know why there are calls for NM to be anti-american. Agreed, he should not forget the insult heaped upon him. But that's besides the point. Today, globalization means that, like it or not, India is part of the system. Now, India should NOT be against america.. In fact, India should not be against ANYONE! Rather, India should be PRO-INDIA. Indians should defend themselves from enemies foreign and domestic but keep the interests of the nation and it's people above all. If the Americans can help India progress, then why not? But if they ask for India to surrender J&K, then no thanks. THAT should be the attitude of those that lead India. As the american's say, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests! Problem is, Indian's have been inculcated with pro-this & anti-that.. that attitude needs shedding for the betterment of India.

shyam · Post by **shyam** » 13 Feb 2014 13:28

Since the amby visited Modi at his home, he could have offered some "chai" and call it "chai pe charcha".

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 13 Feb 2014 13:35

Murali ji, my take is UtKh it's going to be BJP all the way. No big paragraphs needed. We are still a 100 days away from elections and the ball has already started rolling. The momentum of a rising 200 Plus seats for a single party is huge and will continue gathering inertia as elections near. More chai pe charcha type meetings, rallies, a slew of great economists in the team that have started to emerge all point to absolutely rock solid home work being done by Modi's team. It's great sense and the conviction to carry it out that is propelling them to make the right moves. Modi's developmental initiatives are going to be most interesting for places like the NE, UtKh and other hilly/ tourist areas. And he has the capacity to sell the dream and importantly the reputation and capacity to deliver to boot.

Sriram ji, have already taken a screenshot and posted on twitter. My Id: harbans singh @brfharbans

ashish raval · Post by **ashish raval** » 13 Feb 2014 13:49

^^ NM is shrewd Gujarati to core. As long as his people gets benefitted from his partnership in long run he will take any snub that a person with higher power throws at him. Once you are on the table at par the power lies with him to treated equally or even with respect as you will have balls of of the other person on table to be squeezed. Until then you have to go with the flow.
I don't see why and how the dynamics of legitimate India-us partnership will change, the only thing which will change is NGO and missionary shops will close forever and this is precisely why NM wants an absolute majority so that it can be cleansed from internal enemies and we have a Bharat which is born again with clean consciousness and keeps nation first in every aspects. Religion should no longer be used to divide people of same DNA for long.
NM has nothing to gain from being a weak prime minister as he will be constantly under pressure from all fronts all the time and cannot implement his/BJP's long term vision.
What I expect is high growth if he comes to power and a more authoritative figure in decision making process who is not influenced by regional and political compulsions and will put money for development in the areas which needs the most. I.e. Eastern and Central part of India. South and West are on auto mode while North has lot of residual wealth and again in semi auto mode of development.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Feb 2014 13:50

Shonu wrote:I don't know why there are calls for NM to be anti-american. Agreed, he should not forget the insult heaped upon him. But that's besides the point. Today, globalization means that, like it or not, India is part of the system. Now, India should NOT be against america.. In fact, India should not be against ANYONE! Rather, India should be PRO-INDIA. Indians should defend themselves from enemies foreign and domestic but keep the interests of the nation and it's people above all. If the Americans can help India progress, then why not? But if they ask for India to surrender J&K, then no thanks. THAT should be the attitude of those that lead India. As the american's say, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests! Problem is, Indian's have been inculcated with pro-this & anti-that.. that attitude needs shedding for the betterment of India.

well said - part of "growing up" , esp for a national leader is to put aside personal insults and dislikes and see the bigger picture for the country and deftly manouver things to INDIA's benefit. everyone is a frenemy in todays world. everyone rips our pockets and helps our sworn enemies when they can while helping us at same time (Rus tech sales to cheen, RD93/Mida/Mi17 to TSP, while working with us on brahmos and SSNs!!)

he should be ruthless and focussed and no afraid of offending anyone if needed - like how putinji operates

sunnyP · Post by **sunnyP** » 13 Feb 2014 14:11

NM should not be anti American but what was the need to meet Powell so soon after she made the request? America treated Modi with contempt for so many years - the least he should have done is made them sweat a bit before normalising ties.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 13 Feb 2014 14:18

Singha wrote: he should be ruthless and focussed and no afraid of offending anyone if needed - like how putinji operates

putinji has big hairy nuclear ball$ and oil. That's why he is able to do lungi dance in the middle east

johneeG · Post by **johneeG** » 13 Feb 2014 14:19

chetak wrote:
Singha wrote: he should be ruthless and focussed and no afraid of offending anyone if needed - like how putinji operates
putinji has big hairy nuclear ball$ and oil

Bhaarath has sun. Solar Power and other forms of alternative energy. Just bypass oil and dollar.

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 13 Feb 2014 14:27

What atriji said about LKA's u-turns after meeting kali vasiyat got moi worried too.... unkil must've had leverage of *some* sort on LKA perhaps...

anyway, to powellji's righteous joy, unkil's unlikely to find any dirt on NM that desi dork media hasn't already amplified (and hence diluted) and used up already....

nice to see a shuddh desi neta who has nothing to hide and hence nothing to fear where unkil is concerned....

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Feb 2014 14:27

"India has its strong points too"

negi · Post by **negi** » 13 Feb 2014 14:30

Shonu wrote:I don't know why there are calls for NM to be anti-american. In fact, India should not be against ANYONE! Rather, India should be PRO-INDIA.

I am not sure if anyone has asked for NM to be anti-American as such, not sure from where that sentiment is being expressed. However political correctness aside if India's interests will be pursued in real terms then our paths will cross with USA.

Be it our trade with Iran, Siachin and our policy with regards to TSP they all have been compromised or watered down to suit only one entity till date, if Indian interests are pursued Unkil will have to be confronted it is that simple .

I see that a distinction is being made between being anti-USA vs pro-India all this is good and dandy, however then I have a question is USA being anti-India or Pro-USA when it supports TSP or blocks our trade with Iran ?

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 13 Feb 2014 14:51

Way to deal with USA is just do what is needed, and to leave it to US to justify their continued support to you!

That is how Israel does it. Even Pakistan does it this way!

What doesn't work out is when allies "discuss" it with USA beforehand!

It has to be "It was in our national interest, so we did it! Now the ball is in your court!"

habal · Post by **habal** » 13 Feb 2014 15:40

kmkraoind wrote:
habal wrote:the health secretary Keshav Desiraju who was recently 'suspended'/'transferred' by Ghulam Nabi Azad on grounds that he opposed the re-induction of the scam hit Ketan Desai back into MCI board happens to be none other than the grandson of C. Rajagopalachari.
Small correction, he is grandson of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

Yes. ex-president of India as someone told me & I was thinking when Rajagopalachari became president.

And regarding Modi meeting USA ambassador, I think that's his prerogative and his interest. But RSS should formulate a very anti-US anti-West hard line ideological position, like the CCP and only relax that in case of business/financial interests, because whatever hurdles they may have to face in future will come from this group.

Chandragupta · Post by **Chandragupta** » 13 Feb 2014 15:53

habal wrote:
kmkraoind wrote: Small correction, he is grandson of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
Yes. ex-president of India as someone told me & I was thinking when Rajagopalachari became president.

And regarding Modi meeting USA ambassador, I think that's his prerogative and his interest. But RSS should formulate a very anti-US anti-West hard line ideological position, like the CCP and only relax that in case of business/financial interests, because whatever hurdles they may have to face in future will come from this group.

May be OT here but couldn't help. First of all, RSS should change itself. In a country where more than 60% of the people are under 35, they should be more youth friendly. Catch them young and please, do away with the Khaki shorts & shirts routine, make it snazzy, at least incorporate track pants & sweat shirts. There is no dearth of Hindu youth who sympathize with RSS but will not actively participate in Sangh activities. Get into sports, form community sports team as a part of an RSS Shakha. There is so much that can be done.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 13 Feb 2014 16:01

Kejriwal asks Modi to explain 200 crore expense on chai pe charcha (where did he get this number from?)

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 13 Feb 2014 16:09

Watch the fun, with AAP TROLLS going to town with the number.

kmkraoind · Post by **kmkraoind** » 13 Feb 2014 16:27

Despite knowing that bombs went off around rally site, NaMo went to rally in Patna, knowing that his life may be in danger. Any riots in that situation may finish his political career forever did not deter either. That is called leadership qualities. Here is one Princeling who just runaway from Pepper Spray and never seen again. What a stark difference.

Then, in a matter of seconds, Rajagopal produced his pepper spray, and the Speaker, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Kamal Nath, Sushilkumar Shinde, Rahul Gandhi and others started running out of the House. The prime minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi were not present in the House.

'Chaos in Lok Sabha over T-Bill shows it's time for PM to go'

archan · Post by **archan** » 13 Feb 2014 16:29

^ Would like to watch video..

kmkraoind · Post by **kmkraoind** » 13 Feb 2014 16:48

archan wrote:^ Would like to watch video..

Immediately after this incident, I tweeted this

It seems Congress will not release LS footage, so Times Now showing some footage taken by MPs through their mobiles. But that footage may not be good or do not contain whole drama. Either we have to wait for some more time for leakages or NaMo govt for raw footage.

member_20317 · Post by **member_20317** » 13 Feb 2014 17:08

johneeG wrote:
chetak wrote: putinji has big hairy nuclear ball$ and oil
Bhaarath has sun. Solar Power and other forms of alternative energy. Just bypass oil and dollar.

Reminds me of Deewar

Vijay: Aaj mere paas bangla hai, gadi hai, paisa hai.......tumhare paas kya hai?

vivek.rao · Post by **vivek.rao** » 13 Feb 2014 17:13

Modi turns Hyderabad's tea stalls into virtual durbars

The innovative Chai pe Charcha campaign, a brainchild of Modi, saw him nonchalantly sipping a cup of tea and interacting with the crowds in around 27 parts of the city, turning the tables on those who sought to snub him with the 'chaiwala' remark. Screens were set up in Banjara Hills, Khairatabad, Chanda Nagar, Malkajgiri, Uppal, LB Nagar, Ramnagar, Miyapur and Chatrinaka, among other places, organisers said.

Pedestrians and passersby stopped to be a part of the charcha as soon as the screens were set up near the Osmania University's NCC gate. Curious onlookers were told that the Gujarat chief minister would answer a question posed by a manager of an IT company from Hyderabad, which was selected from hundreds of questions posted by users on the Citizens Accountable for Governance (CAG) website. However, in what came as a major disappointment to BJP supporters of Hyderabad, the city lost out to Guntur on account of some technical glitches in Noida.

After the session, Vinod Naik, the chaiwala, who has been serving tea for the past 10 years at his stall near OU said that he had not voted thus far. "But this time I will vote for Narendra Modi," he said.

Others among the crowd too had their own questions too for Modi. Sai Sathvik, a young doctor, wanted to know how Modi would tackle the issue of the lack of toilets in the country. "Around 58% of Indians defecate in the open. Since Modi speaks for development, I am sure he will tackle this problem as well. My vote is for him."

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 13 Feb 2014 17:37

Or another CT. America has dirty secrets on Modi, and the meeting was to blackmail him. Just lose the elections or else we will spill the beans.

Altair · Post by **Altair** » 13 Feb 2014 17:59

SwamyG wrote:Or another CT. America has dirty secrets on Modi, and the meeting was to blackmail him. Just lose the elections or else we will spill the beans.

I think it would be more on gauging his stand on Iran and Muslim world in general. They know he is Pro-Business and things can be worked out as long as its just business they are talking about. US would support NaMo if they feel that He will not hesitate too much in hurting minority sentiments. UPA was too much of a pussy on that. If He is willing to take a stand on India's position on Nuclearization of ME and support to Syria rebels/Egypt etc..then there is something to talk about from a US perspective. Rest is all business.

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 13 Feb 2014 18:32

Nitush's tush took a gamble when it walked out of the NDA unilaterally... now it seems like Nitush's gamble paid off...

>>EconomicTimes ‏@EconomicTimes 26m
Times Now-CVoter predicts a huge upward curve for #BJP in Bihar, Nitish Kumar, Congress could be wiped out

Meanwhile khujliwal's gamble also seems to be paying off...

>>TIMES NOW ‏@timesnow 9m
CVoter National poll projection for Delhi – BJP: 4, Congress: 0, AAP: 3 #WhoWillFormGovt

member_23658 · Post by **member_23658** » 13 Feb 2014 18:39

CVoter survey is on right now, they are going alphabetically and they have just reached D for Delhi and already Ornab is murmuring its a Modi wave. Delhi by the way is 4 for BJP and 3 for AAP. Assam was 7 for Cong and 5 for BJP but this was before Modi's big rallies.

SanjayC · Post by **SanjayC** » 13 Feb 2014 19:18

Aggressive Narendra Modi brings up Devyani Khobragade, 26/11 attack in meet with US Ambassador

vivek.rao · Post by **vivek.rao** » 13 Feb 2014 19:20

kmkraoind wrote:Despite knowing that bombs went off around rally site, NaMo went to rally in Patna, knowing that his life may be in danger. Any riots in that situation may finish his political career forever did not deter either. That is called leadership qualities. Here is one Princeling who just runaway from Pepper Spray and never seen again. What a stark difference.

Then, in a matter of seconds, Rajagopal produced his pepper spray, and the Speaker, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Kamal Nath, Sushilkumar Shinde, Rahul Gandhi and others started running out of the House. The prime minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi were not present in the House.
'Chaos in Lok Sabha over T-Bill shows it's time for PM to go'

Can some one create an image Modi, the Sher standing in middle of bombs/choas vs Rahul the Mouse running away from pepper spray? Will make powerful image in the twitter

Supratik · Post by **Supratik** » 13 Feb 2014 19:42

US and Modi will cross swords over 3 issues a) if he curtails EJs and NGOs (these were the people campaigning for visa denial in US, b) if he further nuclearizes and c) if he takes on Pak.

muraliravi · Post by **muraliravi** » 13 Feb 2014 19:47

Supratik wrote:US and Modi will cross swords over 3 issues a) if he curtails EJs and NGOs (these were the people campaigning for visa denial in US, b) if he further nuclearizes and c) if he takes on Pak.

I think above all, if he starts indigenous defence manufacturing, that is the west's most important agenda, india's should not makes its own weapons.

johneeG · Post by **johneeG** » 13 Feb 2014 19:55

What is the main problem for Amirkhan rightnow?
Amirkhan is going down. Simple and clear. So, for them, the only issue is how to stay on top or how to stop others from coming up. If you can't stay on top, then stop others from coming up.

What are the immediate threats?
Oil & $. Anyone who proposes alternate currency for oil sales or global transaction needs to go.

Who are the others trying to come up?
Roos, Cheen, Brasil, & Bhaarath.

How to stop threats?
Spawning political, social, and economic destabilization. If all that does not work out then sanctions. If that also is useless then military intervention, either directly or through proxies.

How to do that?
Use pliable 'social activists' or EJs or 'rebels' or any segment that can be used. Then, use the media domination of the vest to give these elements credibility around the world.

So, as soon as any dheshi leader tries to develop or empower Bhaarath, the confrontation will start. This will be couched in words like 'regional stability' or 'balance of power in the region'...etc. It is not about EJs. EJs are a tool for the amirkhans, not the other way around. Any dheshi leader who weakens the Bhaarath will find support from Amirkhans.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Feb 2014 19:56

and so far they have brilliantly succeeded in crippling the indian army and putting in place their agenda pushers in critical points.

johneeG · Post by **johneeG** » 13 Feb 2014 20:23

Its pretty clear the NaMo will become the PM in 2014. I hope that NaMo will let the law take its own course and will not shield the kongis who deserve to go to jail. And all the fellow-travellers, radiamedia, ...etc also should not be shielded from the law. If NaMo can do that then that would be justice.

RoyG · Post by **RoyG** » 13 Feb 2014 20:56

SwamyG wrote:Or another CT. America has dirty secrets on Modi, and the meeting was to blackmail him. Just lose the elections or else we will spill the beans.

Everybody has secrets on everybody. Nobody is running away from the elections except for Congress and its allies. Modi knows what he is doing.

muraliravi · Post by **muraliravi** » 13 Feb 2014 21:02

johneeG wrote:Its pretty clear the NaMo will become the PM in 2014. I hope that NaMo will let the law take its own course and will not shield the kongis who deserve to go to jail. And all the fellow-travellers, radiamedia, ...etc also should not be shielded from the law. If NaMo can do that then that would be justice.

There is already pretty solid news that all kongis who expect to be jailed/punished severely in a Namo regime will move to countries which have no extradition treaty with India after the voting is complete. They will only return to india if by some miracle kongis win again. They are already in the process of packing off all their assets from india.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 13 Feb 2014 21:09

muraliravi wrote:
johneeG wrote:Its pretty clear the NaMo will become the PM in 2014. I hope that NaMo will let the law take its own course and will not shield the kongis who deserve to go to jail. And all the fellow-travellers, radiamedia, ...etc also should not be shielded from the law. If NaMo can do that then that would be justice.
There is already pretty solid news that all kongis who expect to be jailed/punished severely in a Namo regime will move to countries which have no extradition treaty with India after the voting is complete. They will only return to india if by some miracle kongis win again. They are already in the process of packing off all their assets from india.

May be NaMo should send a few Ḥashshāshīn after them!

KJo · Post by **KJo** » 13 Feb 2014 21:14

murali, an you please post links? I find it hard to believe that Congress people are packing up.

Supratik · Post by **Supratik** » 13 Feb 2014 21:26

Well they may not leave but they must be busy cleaning up all trails that lead to them.