India-US News and Discussion

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 31 May 2010 20:59

From Reggie Sinha:

As India - U.S. start the Strategic Dialogue, time to revisit the 9/11 tagline here . As an American, let me remind the Indians...We have compulsions in always protecting Pakistan, no matter how vicious they are to you! We did that thirty years ago, we did that last year with the KL bill. You want to change that? Bring in a game-changer; something far more exciting than what Pakistan offers.

An interesting nugget dated December 26, 1979: Memo to President Carter Gives Pakistan Green Light to Pursue Nuclear Weapons Program

National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski writes a memo to President Jimmy Carter about the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which has just begun (see December 8, 1979). Brzezinski focuses on fears that success in Afghanistan could give the Soviets access to the Indian Ocean, even though Afghanistan is a landlocked country. He suggests the US should continue aid to the Afghan mujaheddin, which actually began before the war and spurred the Soviets to invade (see 1978 and July 3, 1979). He says, “This means more money as well as arms shipments to the rebels and some technical advice.” He does not give any warning that such aid will strengthen Islamic fundamentalism. He also concludes, “[W]e must both reassure Pakistan and encourage it to help the rebels. This will require a review of our policy toward Pakistan, more guarantees to it, more arms aid, and alas, a decision that our security problem toward Pakistan cannot be dictated by our nonproliferation policy.” Carter apparently accepts Brzezinski’s advice.

Given how close Faizal Shahzad came to igniting New York, it might be perhaps instructive to inquire from Brzezinski what a few "stirred up Moslems" are capable of doing? On second thoughts, scratch that! He might actually want U.S. to increase funding to Pakistan.

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 31 May 2010 22:25

ramana wrote:From Reggie Sinha:

As India - U.S. start the Strategic Dialogue, time to revisit the 9/11 tagline here . As an American, let me remind the Indians...We have compulsions in always protecting Pakistan, no matter how vicious they are to you! We did that thirty years ago, we did that last year with the KL bill. You want to change that? Bring in a game-changer; something far more exciting than what Pakistan offers.

A good starting point might be for the US to spell out what Pakistan offers, and what their compulsions are in protecting the Paks, no matter how vicious. Then we can see about what might be "far more exciting".

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 31 May 2010 23:49

Acharya San ,
( Now they can proove in Public that Black is actually White and dead men are pretending to be stiff onlee)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 90804.html
Reliance, CBS Eye India TV Venture

BY AMOL SHARMA
NEW DELHI—India's Reliance ADA Group is in advanced talks with CBS Corp. of the U.S. to form a joint venture that would launch several English and Hindi television channels in India.The potential tie-up, which could still fall through, is the latest example of how U.S. media companies are aggressively targeting India's rapidly growing, but still underpenetrated, television market. The deal would also highlight how Reliance—a media-to-energy conglomerate backed by billionaire Anil Ambani—is quickly becoming a go-to partner for American film and TV studios looking to make inroads in India.Under the terms being discussed, Mumbai-based Reliance and CBS each

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 01 Jun 2010 04:54

Bobby Jindal #2
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archiv ... ?ref=fpblg

Quite A Pro
David Kurtz | May 28, 2010, 5:29PM

I hadn't seen South Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley on camera until we found this video of her today addressing a hungry pack of reporters eager for any morsel about her alleged affair with political consultant turned blogger Will Folks. As a result, I didn't realize what a consummate pro she is. She's something to watch. Collected, sharp-witted, and always a smile, but not plastic. She's got the makings of a national politician, were it not for the current messiness.

She has quite the personal story, too. She was born Nimrata Randhaw in South Carolina to Sikh immigrant parents. She became an accountant, married, and had two children. In 2004, she knocked off the longest serving member of the South Carolina House to win her seat, becoming the first South Asian elected to public office in the state.

She denies the affair, and he hasn't produced proof of it yet. So I'm withholding judgment. But if it is true and the attractive first generation overachiever ended up in an affair with a scraggly blogger then decided to run for governor, doesn't that make her pretty much a badass? I don't condone it, but I kind of admire it.

krithivas · Post by **krithivas** » 01 Jun 2010 05:20

Her Wiki also confirms that like Jindal she is also yet another convert (United Methodist).

A_Gupta wrote:Bobby Jindal #2
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archiv ... ?ref=fpblg
Quite A Pro
David Kurtz | May 28, 2010, 5:29PM

I hadn't seen South Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley on camera until we found this video of her today addressing a hungry pack of reporters eager for any morsel about her alleged affair with political consultant turned blogger Will Folks. As a result, I didn't realize what a consummate pro she is. She's something to watch. Collected, sharp-witted, and always a smile, but not plastic. She's got the makings of a national politician, were it not for the current messiness.

She has quite the personal story, too. She was born Nimrata Randhaw in South Carolina to Sikh immigrant parents. She became an accountant, married, and had two children. In 2004, she knocked off the longest serving member of the South Carolina House to win her seat, becoming the first South Asian elected to public office in the state.

She denies the affair, and he hasn't produced proof of it yet. So I'm withholding judgment. But if it is true and the attractive first generation overachiever ended up in an affair with a scraggly blogger then decided to run for governor, doesn't that make her pretty much a badass? I don't condone it, but I kind of admire it.

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 01 Jun 2010 05:21

Prem wrote:Acharya San ,
( Now they can proove in Public that Black is actually White and dead men are pretending to be stiff onlee)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 90804.html
Reliance, CBS Eye India TV Venture
BY AMOL SHARMA
NEW DELHI—India's Reliance ADA Group is in advanced talks with CBS Corp. of the U.S. to form a joint venture that would launch several English and Hindi television channels in India.The potential tie-up, which could still fall through, is the latest example of how U.S. media companies are aggressively targeting India's rapidly growing, but still underpenetrated, television market. The deal would also highlight how Reliance—a media-to-energy conglomerate backed by billionaire Anil Ambani—is quickly becoming a go-to partner for American film and TV studios looking to make inroads in India.Under the terms being discussed, Mumbai-based Reliance and CBS each

How can they it is unpenetrated
Will they allow Indian channels into Cable TV and broadcasting in US

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 01 Jun 2010 06:49

Skipping through minefields

http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/01/stories ... 561300.htm

CRamS · Post by **CRamS** » 01 Jun 2010 07:14

Guys:

Reporting from India where I am on business past few days. For those of us who are frustrated about any lack of nationalism among Indian public in standing up to US, one just has to make one trip and rub shoulders with the elite of India and you will realize why India is in US's hip pocket without firing a bullet. I mean the shameless, almost compulsive, even unconscious ipso facto belief that progress means Pax Americana (or Pax westernism). I mean the slavish sucking up to anything white, anything western just boggles the mind.

A_gupta:

Never heard of Nikki Haley until you brought our atttention to her. Good find. Just juxtaposing my sampling of Indian metro elites with Nikki Haley and I can guarantee you, there are tons of SDRE Nimrata Randhaws who aspire to become Nikki Haleys. Several years ago, I recall watching an ad from the Pat Robertson's Nazi channel, where he would demagouge the superiority of Christian faith by disparaging Sikhism and showing a young Sikh girl who shunned her family after "finding God" and even showed how much happier she was with a TFTA white Christian than she was with her Sikh "arranged" husbandd. It was so disgusting, my blood boiled with rage. I wonder if the girl showed in that Nazi propaganda ad by Pat Robretson was indeed Nikki Haley.

But all in all, I think given that Nikki Haley, prima facie, just looking at that video looks quite TFTA unlike Bobby Jindal who has SDRE written all over him despite crossing over, she has a brighter future in the GOP than BJ. BJ might end up like one of the token blacks/hispanics like Clarence Thomas or Michael Steele or Linda Chavez trotted out by GOP to parrot out their favority themes with theatrical conviction. I

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 01 Jun 2010 08:35

Briefing by MEA Official Spokesperson on visit of EAM to USA for Strategic Dialogue

http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/pr ... /May/6.asp

ShauryaT · Post by **ShauryaT** » 02 Jun 2010 01:26

INDIA-US: Need for Relook at Some Past Ideas

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 02 Jun 2010 07:58

India's Rise and the Promise of U.S.-Indian Partnership

William J. Burns

http://www.state.gov/p/us/rm/2010/136718.htm

Venkarl · Post by **Venkarl** » 02 Jun 2010 08:27

just now checked cnn and fox news sites...no coverage on Indo-US dialog...??

CRamS · Post by **CRamS** » 02 Jun 2010 08:40

Venkarl wrote:just now checked cnn and fox news sites...no coverage on Indo-US dialog...??

Most important indiator of how "strategic" this event is from USA's POV. At best an eo-massaging exercise so Indian elites can go bersek.

As long as TSP gets billions from US and gets to keep India-specific LET, there is nothing strategic about India and US. All this dialouge BS is brilliant diplomacy by US to put a gloss over their India containment strategy.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 02 Jun 2010 09:17

India visit a chance to bolster ties, overcome early stumbles

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts ... y_stumbles

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 02 Jun 2010 10:26

Back to Bush talk: Obama 'deeply committed' to India's rise

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Worl ... 001446.cms

csharma · Post by **csharma** » 02 Jun 2010 11:34

Essentially the US policy under Obama seems to be the following:

1) We came in to power knowing that Bush's policy on India was wrong and it had affected US's relations with China and Pakistan. Brenzinski and Snowcroft had said this in 2008 I believe. So they set about fixing this aspect.
2) While doing 1) they still professed to have India on their radar screen with dinner etc.
3) They got nothing from China and now it seems Pakistan is also not cooperating to their expectations.
4) Now they are back to India great power blah blah. Note that India has improved her relations with China meanwhile.

The message is we do what we want even if it curtails your interests but you should still say that everything is OK since we are having dinners and dialog. Headley saga is a prime example of this.

In any case India should continue to hedge and follow Shyam Saran's line of "engaged with all, allied to none".

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 02 Jun 2010 21:20

abhishek_sharma wrote:India visit a chance to bolster ties, overcome early stumbles

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts ... y_stumbles

Funny:

Under Secretary of State Bill Burns referred to that concern directly in remarks Tuesday.

"Some in India worry that the new administration is tempted by visions of a G-2 world," he said, referring to last year's popular buzzword for the U.S.-China relationship, "... that we've downgraded India because we see Asia exclusively through the lens of an emerging China, with India's role secondary."

"Let me speak plainly to those concerns. This administration has been, and will remain, deeply committed to supporting India's rise and to building the strongest possible partnership between us."

He did not respond to the concern AT ALL!!! : )

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 02 Jun 2010 21:24

Ba humbug.

These talks will remain talks.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 02 Jun 2010 21:31

Actually the book Predictioneer's Game by Mesquita has three scenarios for TSP and US interaction. While the macro outcomes predicted by the book : Mushy's ouster, giving largesse(Kerry-Luger Bill) to TSP to go after their own terrorists etc are coming true, the micro picture is that US comes around to the TSP point of view eventually in all three scenarios. In other words, the US does not have any non-military options vis a vis TSP. What this means for India is giving into US thinking they have leverage over TSP is like perfume water on ashes a wasted effort: In Telugu-Boodidhi lo panneru! Nothing will grow from that.

The sooner we understand and play that it will help develop a new strategy.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 03 Jun 2010 06:43

Inaugural Address by External Affairs Minister Mr. S.M. Krishna at the 35th Anniversary Summit of the US-India Business Council on “India-US Partnership: Shaping the future through Innovation”

http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/pr ... /Jun/3.asp

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 03 Jun 2010 06:43

US Universities keen to set up Institutions in India

http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/pr ... /Jun/1.asp

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 03 Jun 2010 06:45

Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Mr. Kapil Sibal Adresses Council on Foreign Relations

http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/pr ... /Jun/2.asp

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 03 Jun 2010 08:46

Who’s in charge of India?

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts ... e_of_india

"If they are lucky, they can stop the administration from doing things, but they can't compel the administration to do the right things," one expert said.

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 03 Jun 2010 14:32

“Latest decision of US to provide again sophisticated weapons to Pakistan is a matter of concerns to India. When the US Defence Secretary was here (in New Delhi) I actually had taken up the matter with him,” said A K Antony on the sidelines of function of Indian Coast Guard at Vizhinjam.

In response...

“We have had a good dialogue with our Indian friends about this important matter. We assure our Indian friends that the arms sale to Pakistan, the character and the nature of our military relationship is really changing now in Pakistan,” said Blake. The assurance came from US officials at a bilateral security cooperation working group meeting held in Rawalpindi Friday. The warplanes to be delivered by June 2010 include F-16 fighter jets, Lockheed P3C maritime surveillance aircraft and Cobra helicopters.

what kind of assurance is that??

http://samaylive.com/english/world/676463631.html

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 03 Jun 2010 14:54

For US, India is just a market

For US, India is just a market

Shobori Ganguli

These, then, are the parameters of the Krishna-Clinton ‘strategic dialogue’ that has got underway in Washington, DC. And, India has nobody but itself to blame for the changed terms of engagement. The Manmohan Singh Government has gone to immeasurable lengths to play along Mr Obama’s AfPak policy, regrettably giving in to US pressure to maintain diplomatic normalcy with Pakistan. Despite Pakistan’s brazen denial mode on the 26/11 terror suspects, New Delhi has bent over backwards to resume bilateral negotiations, choosing not to react to Islamabad’s assertion that the talks are all about Kashmir and “other issues of mutual interest”. Simultaneously, India has failed to secure a toe-hold in Afghanistan that would have come to great strategic aid once the Americans returned home. Finally, India has got wedged between Pakistan and China, trapped between the outright hostility of one and the strategic superiority of the other. This give-give scenario needs to be kept in the foreground of any assessment of India-US interactions in the future.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 04 Jun 2010 00:53

Hillary hints support for India's UNSC bid

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/worl ... 008692.cms

In remarks ahead of the talks at the US State Department, Clinton, perhaps anticipating New Delhi’s pitch for US support for a UNSC bid, said suo motu that "India’s rise will be a factor in any future consideration of reform of the Security Council," indicating some forward thinking on the subject.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 04 Jun 2010 01:02

Forget hints. Come back when ready to state it openly. It was US that is the principal objector to the UNSC seat for India and acts thru its proxies.

rsingh · Post by **rsingh** » 04 Jun 2010 01:16

abhishek_sharma wrote:Hillary hints support for India's UNSC bid

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/worl ... 008692.cms

In remarks ahead of the talks at the US State Department, Clinton, perhaps anticipating New Delhi’s pitch for US support for a UNSC bid, said suo motu that "India’s rise will be a factor in any future consideration of reform of the Security Council," indicating some forward thinking on the subject.

Same old story...........everybody hints and no results. Such news items are always there.............it is a carrot in sky.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 04 Jun 2010 01:52

Krishna presses Clinton for access to Headley, fewer export restrictions

http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/04/stories ... 840100.htm

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 04 Jun 2010 01:53

India committed to nuclear liability regime: Krishna

http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/04/stories ... 061200.htm

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 04 Jun 2010 02:06

Hillary Clinton's quote

She noted that equally there were also “doubts in America that India has not fully embraced its role in regional or global affairs or will not make the economic reform needed to foster additional progress.”

What regional/global role is she talking about?

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 04 Jun 2010 02:14

Check this

US has become a relative now. You need to think in chinese to understand them

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/internati ... 445836.ece

Zhang Guihong of Shanghai's Fudan University wrote in the ruling Communist Party's official Global Times newspaper that India's influence in its neighbourhood was limited, as a result of foreign policy that prioritised relations with more far-away countries.

“India pays attention to distant relatives such as the U.S. and Russia and expects to raise its own value by becoming a counterweight to China, but it is at odds with neighbours such as Pakistan and Myanmar,” said Mr. Zhang.

“This diplomacy means it can only make a very limited contribution to regional issues.”

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 04 Jun 2010 05:39

Joint Statement issued after the conclusion of U.S. - India Strategic Dialogue

http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/pr ... /Jun/9.asp

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 04 Jun 2010 05:41

External Affairs Minister Mr. S.M. Krishna's remarks at the reception hosted by Ms Hillary Clinton at the US Dept of State

http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/pr ... /Jun/8.asp

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 04 Jun 2010 05:43

Press Conference

http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/06/142642.htm

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 04 Jun 2010 05:43

Plenary Session

http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/06/142623.htm

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 04 Jun 2010 05:58

From the joint statement

Secretary Clinton and Minister Krishna reiterated their shared interest and commitment to a stable, sovereign, democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan. They reiterated the importance of a sustained international commitment to Afghanistan that builds local capacities through Afghan-led initiatives. Secretary Clinton welcomed India's vital contribution to reconstruction, capacity building and development efforts in Afghanistan and its offer to enhance efforts in this direction. Both sides pledged to explore opportunities for coordination on civilian assistance projects that advance Afghan self-sufficiency and build civilian capacity.

Training of Afghan army is absent.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 04 Jun 2010 06:02

abhishek_sharma wrote: Training of Afghan army is absent.

GoI has stated that that request has to come from the GoA'stan and that the Afghans will have to come to India for training.

saip · Post by **saip** » 04 Jun 2010 07:00

India expanding military nuclear site: US think tank

In a statement released on the eve of crucial Indo-US Strategic Dialogue the Institute for Science and International Security said on Thursday that Google Earth imagery showed initial excavations and construction of a large building or buildings at the Rare Materials Plant site in Karnataka

http://bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=12986

How far is this true? And why should not india expand the facility?

pgbhat · Post by **pgbhat** » 04 Jun 2010 08:05

India one of the centres of influence in the 21st century: Obama
The guy can talk, that is the only thing he can do.
It gets boring though, hearing the same old "common values" dialogue beaten to death.