Pres. Obama's visit.

[Muppalla]

Both Obamba and India's INC are lameduck regimes.

I can understand people's opinion on Obama's tenure, but why do you say INC regime is lameduck?

Both of them have to bend and negotiate with their opposition even on the extreme idealogical items. There is no way they can pass anything that needs legislative approval. See Obama's recent losses in congress and also see UPA's numbers in Rajya Sabha. More states they keep losing more trouble for UPA and the LS-208 victory just becomes more and more useless.

[amit]

^^^^^
Using that logic every single gov since 1991 has been LameDuck. Yet some of the most far reaching policy changes happened during this period. I guess we've forgotten the nooklear bill tamsaha.

[negi]

POTUS agreeing to India's core(Whoa!) interests on Pakistan ?

Please please pass me whatever it is , haven't had quality stuff since college.


There needs to be a clear distinction made between US's support to India in terms of intelligence and relevant coordination required to prevent another 26/11 (US is just as scared of that as us albeit for different reasons) vs US policy on Pakistan as a country, the latter has not changed for the simple reason that Pakistan is for all reasons very much under control of GOTUS and token of few F-16s is all what it takes to hire this agent of chaos.

[amit]

Ombaba has given the biggest ungli to TSP by mentioning the UNSC seat and that too in Indian Parliament. IMO that is quiet a come down for Potus - in our favour.
Now brace for the Paki khujli. Bet a few more NATO trucks are going to go up in flames.

[Pulikeshi]

Ends the speech with "Jai Hind!" - Can't ask for more from the US President

Of course the devil is in the details, but there can be differences among friends.
Suggest the dhotis and saris to stand up and be proud!

[RamaY]

1. Burma: India should be clear the message for many smaller nations is to look at the Beijing Model of development. So there are many dictatorships around our neighbourhood. But that model in the past has been legitimized by giving China a UNSC seat and India left in the cold. If the Nixons and Clintons reward China, Pakistan why should smaller countries not feel like doing so? This can be easily put back on the US. Indeed he did recognize and counter this by saying US supports India's UNSC bid and India's success is not despite democracy but because of it. A good message for neighbouring states who are tempted by Beijings model.

I was watching Ms. Clintons remarks on Burmese elections yesterday and its coverage on BBC.

I think India should be assertive on this aspect. It should clearly support Burmese Junta on this effort despite the fact that it may not be the ideal democratic administration.

GOI's official response must at least refer the following -

"That USA and Western democracies have extremely close relationships with many ME kingdoms which are yet to make any efforts toward democratization and India too will have close ties with Myanmar and treats the form-of-governance in Myanmar as its internal matter.

That USA supported military and leftist governments whenever/wherever it suited its national interests such as Pakistan and China."

[Muppalla]

^^^^^
Using that logic every single gov since 1991 has been LameDuck. Yet some of the most far reaching policy changes happened during this period. I guess we've forgotten the nooklear bill tamsaha.

No - it is more serious that those governments.

[harbans]

RamaY ji lets not get into "supporting" the Junta bit on this thread. Realpolitik is not necessarily the only way to play Politics or further interests. Else we'd look a lot more like China. We can make exceptions yes, but we cannot make it a rule. We can take this up in another thread if you want.

[Lalmohan]

on reflection, what ombaba is saying is - join us in the P5+3(?) but be our bi@tch and we'll take care of you (when it suits us)

i think he will only be able to swing this if brazil and germany/japan get on board... maybe all of them...

[RamaY]

Harbans garu,

I am talking about response to US public statements. India should do what is necessary in its national interests, while making sure that it is in the long term national interests of the other side.

Myanmar junta conducted its first polls after 20 years. One should appreciate that action for what it is. It may not be ideal but a step in the right direction.

[Pulikeshi]

The US president will only take care of US interests.
This desire of expecting him to take care of Indian interests sum total is akin -
to those brilliant Pakistanis who were asking Mrs. Clinton how she would help Pakistan.

At the end of the day the key is whether India got support for its core issues?
As always my two paisa for pree!

[chetak]

Was this the "good News" that the paki prime minister geelani was talking about?

National match fixing??





http://news.rediff.com/special/2010/nov ... -india.htm

Did Obama broach Kashmir solution with Dr Singh?
November 08, 2010



Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar, the former diplomat and strategic thinker, assesses the press conference addressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama , in a conversation with Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt.

Any joint press conference after summit-level talks invariably attracts attention to its body language. The press conference between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama on Monday was no exception.


A compulsive Obama watcher would agree that the US President was uncharacteristically subdued. So indeed was Dr Singh, but in a different way -- uncharacteristically assertive so much so that one instinctively remembered the fearless Guru Gobind Singh.

The heavy Indian expectation that Obama should say something to acknowledge New Delhi's profound concerns regarding Pakistan-sponsored terrorism seemed to weigh on the mind of the US President as he walked into the press conference.

But in the event, he once again dodged the issue and instead took to the high ground to advocate India-Pakistan amity as the panacea of all evils.

The stark reality, however, is that the US is in absolutely no position today to irritate the Pakistani military as the Afghan endgame rolls on. This is somehow emerging as the leitmotif of Obama's India visit.

Obama seems acutely conscious of it and he was looking far from comfortable. He somewhat made up by warmly commending the 'relentless' effort made by Dr Singh to kickstart a peace process with Pakistan.

But that seemed to fall short of New Delhi's expectation. Dr Singh promptly interjected using unusually harsh language to draw attention to the 'terror machinery' operating in Pakistan which is bent upon instigating cross-border terrorism on Indian soil.

Dr Singh went on to assert that so long as the Pakistanis don't give up their support to terrorism, a meaningful dialogue is not possible. He just about managed to hold himself back from calling Pakistan a State sponsoring terrorism.

More important, Obama confirmed that Kashmir [ Images ] issue had indeed figured in the talks. He said the US offered to play any form of role to solve the problem. But then he tactfully added that this was a long-standing problem that may still take 'months or years' to solve and the process might have to be incremental and should in any case be emanating out of Indian and Pakistani effort.

New Delhi can learn to live with this US position. But it is also indicative that the US has broached a Kashmir solution with New Delhi during Obama's visit -- something that Pakistan has been pressing for.

Dr Singh crisply responded that India is not 'afraid' of the Kashmir problem.

In a clutch of ice-cold words Dr Singh conveyed a great deal outright rejecting any third party mediation and disabusing any Pakistani notions to the effect that India was coming under US pressure over the Kashmir issue.

This public exchange -- as well as Obama's references to India-Pakistan ties at the townhall meeting in Mumbai on Sunday -- underscore that a hiatus has indeed appeared in the so-called 'strategic partnership' between India and the US. Glossing over it becomes difficult.

Perhaps, only an overarching American gesture of profound significance to India's interests can subsume the hiatus.

[SwamyG]

The US president will only take care of US interests.
This desire of expecting him to take care of Indian interests sum total is akin -
to those brilliant Pakistanis who were asking Mrs. Clinton how she would help Pakistan.

At the end of the day the key is whether India got support for its core issues?
As always my two paisa for pree!

It is not two paisa, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars worth opinion. I have been crying this for some time in the US dhaaga, but the petty partisan domestic USA politics clouds the mind and make people love or hate a particular party. India has to stand up for its interests. Other countries will twist and pressure to get their way in and out that is the nature of the game.

[SwamyG]

Both of them have to bend and negotiate with their opposition even on the extreme idealogical items. There is no way they can pass anything that needs legislative approval. See Obama's recent losses in congress and also see UPA's numbers in Rajya Sabha. More states they keep losing more trouble for UPA and the LS-208 victory just becomes more and more useless.

I follow USA politics, so I know what is happening. Unlike others here I do not write off the Obama administration, neither am I a fool to predict what will happen in 2012. My question is w.r.t INC. Is there anger among common people towards INC? Recently at a get together, it was mentioned that Rahul traveled in a train, like Gandhi, to know first hand what people of India feel, think ityadi. Indian politics does mirror American politics. Obama will change tunes and stances, is INC doing the same? Obama is careful to spread the "bringing new jobs to America from India" narrative that can be used later. Is INC utilizing this visit for its benefit? Indians and Americans elections issues are not the same either.

[negi]

^^^^^
Using that logic every single gov since 1991 has been LameDuck. Yet some of the most far reaching policy changes happened during this period. I guess we've forgotten the nooklear bill tamsaha.

Obviously we had PMs after 91 furiously apologizing to the world for 84 riots, standing on lal quila and claiming that IMs have first right on India's resources, doubling up the reservations and obviously making love to TSP despite 26/11. The situation in J&K sums up the kind of assertiveness and competence of the gentleman in the hot seat. MMS reminds me of VP Singh as far as PM of India is concerned, exhibition of petty level of leadership.

[svinayak]

My question is w.r.t INC. Is there anger among common people towards INC? Recently at a get together, it was mentioned that Rahul traveled in a train, like Gandhi, to know first hand what people of India feel, think ityadi. Indian politics does mirror American politics. Obama will change tunes and stances, is INC doing the same? Obama is careful to spread the "bringing new jobs to America from India" narrative that can be used later. Is INC utilizing this visit for its benefit? Indians and Americans elections issues are not the same either.

Why are you comparing politics. No two politics are the same.

[Raja Ram]

Appropos Obama's reference to India's silence on Burma and the need for India to step up to its responsibilities as a champion for democracy - Sure we should. Only let us not restrict ourselves to Burma.

The Indian PM should in his next trip to USA, speak at a similiar forum and call for America to join India and lend a voice to the oppressed peoples of Tibet, Xinjiang, Baluchistan, Baltistan and others.

After all we are two leading democracies in the world!

[CRamS]

I know the devil is in the details, and what Obama said is mostly symbolic, but I would term his visit a success of sorts.

After insulting India at the Taj in Mumbai by acting as if 26/11 was undertaken by aliens and not mentioning TSP, I think he made amends with the parliament speech. Now the challenge for Indian opposition is to thwart MMS from using these dog bones thrown at India and start making concessions to his TSP cousins.

Lets face it, all the Obama said is that US will press TSP to bring Mumbai perpetrators to justice. Symbolism aside, which I will take no doubt, but WTF does press TSP mean anyway? Next, US support for India's UNSC bid. At a personal level, I don't give a f$%^k for that, but since Indian elites are so obsessed, Obama's gesture is welcome even though 10 years from now, a US president will be saying the same thing to the cheers from Indian MPs .

Report card from Obama's visit:

USA: A (for business deals, and other goodwill from India)
India: B+ (for the positive atmospherics even though nothing substantial gained)
TSP: B- (established that it is a terrorist entity even though no teeth behind anything USA or India say in this regard)
China: B- (mere mention of India as member of UNSC must be throwing them into a tizzy )

[ramana]

We need to analyze the breakdown in Indian attitudes towards US. Despite all the efforts to choreograph the visit with select venues, audience etc., there are questions being riased across the spectrum by businessmen, students, chatterati in op-eds. Usually such open questioning reflects an unstated mass consensus. its trend that needs to be watched.

So there is some dimming of the US sheen in Indian perception. Need to see how it plays out in future. The Indian audience validated Lincoln's adage "You can fool some people, some of the time, but you can't fool all the people, all the time!"*

Rahul Bajaj quotes Anand Mahindra who just gave a ton of money to Harvard Uty about US coming to India seeking alms. That is a see change in Indian businessmen attitudes.

And that girl at St Xaviers asking about TSP was a good one. And too bad she couldnt get a follow-up.


* However it looks like US can fool the GOI all the time!

[RamaY]

^ I wonder what would be TSP's behavior w.r.t USA's pressure given Obama's open admission on USA's decline.

What it would mean to India if TSP goes completely into PRC pocket. India had to suffer TSP-headache under USA protection. Not we have a new TSP-headache under PRC protection; and USA's power/influence is declining.

What India can do differently this time (w.r.t TSP-PRC g*y relationship) based on what it learned from 60 years of TSP-USA gubo sessions?

[harbans]

CRams ji, normally it's improper to talk vengeance at a memorial service. I find it appropriate and sensitive of Obama not to have mentioned TSP at the Taj.

Myanmar junta conducted its first polls after 20 years. One should appreciate that action for what it is.

No it's not. Most dictators conduct polls of sorts as if it were some form of legitimacy. Even Saddam did, and get 95 plus percent votes. India's biggest bane is having totalitarian ideologies propagating all around. India's bid for the UNSC should not have been as having a desire to have a global role but being a model for a democratic and pluralist society. Plain elections don't mean a damn, even Hezbollah and Hamas win massively. It's under what sort of constitution you hold such that matters. It's how free and fair those are that matters.

By putting China in the UNSC and not India, many smaller nations emulate the Chinese success story and spite India for it's tardiness. US did marginalize India and thus unwittingly propped totalitarianism in our neighbourhood, creating myriad problems for us. Check out Bhutan who went hammer and tongs at anti-India rebels. Because Bhutan is a friend, shares our values and believes India's success story will also be it's own.

Obama rightly harped on India's constitution and that shared values and respect for pluralism create more peace, at the minimum for the long term. So India's success also depends on Dharma. Doing things the right way towards the right end. I agree that we can have exceptions, but we should not make it a rule. We have to get oil from Saudi, even as we know much of those dollars are going towards funding extremism..but we don't have the choice. We must also put that into perspective wrt the US. So while he did not push anything down our throat (at least till now)..we too have some responsibility to enhance our value systems around. What vote bank d owe need to criticize Sudan for example..though i am no fan of Obama, i do give him his due today. He's redeemed himself quite a bit wrt India. JMT/

[Kanson]

BO said something like, "dont take just my words, pls see that throu our actions...." looks like he made this speech sincerely.

[Pulikeshi]

Posting the joint statement in full for analysis:

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama have issued a joint statement on the third day of the US President's India visit. Here's the full text of the statement:

Reaffirming their nations' shared values and increasing convergence of interests, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama resolved today in New Delhi to expand and strengthen the India-U.S. global strategic partnership.

The two leaders welcomed the deepening relationship between the world's two largest democracies. They commended the growing cooperation between their governments, citizens, businesses, universities and scientific institutions, which have thrived on a shared culture of pluralism, education, enterprise, and innovation, and have benefited the people of both countries.

Building on the transformation in India-U.S. relations over the past decade, the two leaders resolved to intensify cooperation between their nations to promote a secure and stable world; advance technology and innovation; expand mutual prosperity and global economic growth; support sustainable development; and exercise global leadership in support of economic development, open government and democratic values.

The two leaders reaffirmed that India-U.S. strategic partnership is indispensable not only for their two countries but also for global stability and prosperity in the 21st century. To that end, President Obama welcomed India's emergence as a major regional and global power and affirmed his country's interest in India's rise, its economic prosperity, and its security.

A global strategic partnership for the 21st century

Prime Minister Singh and President Obama called for an efficient, effective, credible and legitimate United Nations to ensure a just and sustainable international order. Prime Minister Singh welcomed President Obama's affirmation that, in the years ahead, the United States looks forward to a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member. The two leaders reaffirmed that all nations, especially those that seek to lead in the 21st century, bear responsibility to ensure that the United Nations fulfills its founding ideals of preserving peace and security, promoting global cooperation, and advancing human rights.

Prime Minister Singh and President Obama reiterated that India and the United States, as global leaders, will partner for global security, especially as India serves on the Security Council over the next two years. The leaders agreed that their delegations in New York will intensify their engagement and work together to ensure that the Council continues to effectively play the role envisioned for it in the United Nations Charter. Both leaders underscored that all states have an obligation to comply with and implement UN Security Council Resolutions, including UN sanctions regimes. They also agreed to hold regular consultations on UN matters, including on the long-term sustainability of UN peacekeeping operations. As the two largest democracies, both countries also reaffirmed their strong commitment to the UN Democracy Fund.

The two leaders have a shared vision for peace, stability and prosperity in Asia, the Indian Ocean region and the Pacific region and committed to work together, and with others in the region, for the evolution of an open, balanced and inclusive architecture in the region. In this context, the leaders reaffirmed their support for the East Asia Summit and committed to regular consultations in this regard. The United States welcomes, in particular, India's leadership in expanding prosperity and security across the region. The two leaders agreed to deepen existing regular strategic consultations on developments in East Asia, and decided to expand and intensify their strategic consultations to cover regional and global issues of mutual interest, including Central and West Asia.

The two sides committed to intensify consultation, cooperation and coordination to promote a stable, democratic, prosperous, and independent Afghanistan. President Obama appreciated India's enormous contribution to Afghanistan's development and welcomed enhanced Indian assistance that will help Afghanistan achieve self-sufficiency. In addition to their own independent assistance programs in Afghanistan, the two sides resolved to pursue joint development projects with the Afghan Government in capacity building, agriculture and women's empowerment.

They reiterated that success in Afghanistan and regional and global security require elimination of safe havens and infrastructure for terrorism and violent extremism in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Condemning terrorism in all its forms, the two sides agreed that all terrorist networks, including Lashkar e-Taiba, must be defeated and called for Pakistan to bring to justice the perpetrators of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. Building upon the Counter Terrorism Initiative signed in July 2010, the two leaders announced a new Homeland Security Dialogue between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Homeland Security and agreed to further deepen operational cooperation, counter-terrorism technology transfers and capacity building. The two leaders also emphasized the importance of close cooperation in combating terrorist financing and in protecting the international financial system.

In an increasingly inter-dependent world, the stability of, and access to, the air, sea, space, and cyberspace domains is vital for the security and economic prosperity of nations. Acknowledging their commitment to openness and responsible international conduct, and on the basis of their shared values, India and the United States have launched a dialogue to explore ways to work together, as well as with other countries, to develop a shared vision for these critical domains to promote peace, security and development. The leaders reaffirmed the importance of maritime security, unimpeded commerce, and freedom of navigation, in accordance with relevant universally agreed principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and peaceful settlement of maritime disputes.

The transformation in India-U.S. defense cooperation in recent years has strengthened mutual understanding on regional peace and stability, enhanced both countries' respective capacities to meet humanitarian and other challenges such as terrorism and piracy, and contributed to the development of the strategic partnership between India and the United States. The two Governments resolved to further strengthen defense cooperation, including through security dialogue, exercises, and promoting trade and collaboration in defense equipment and technology. President Obama welcomed India's decision to purchase U.S. high-technology defense items, which reflects our strengthening bilateral defence relations and will contribute to creating jobs in the United States.

The two leaders affirmed that their countries' common ideals, complementary strengths and a shared commitment to a world without nuclear weapons give them a responsibility to forge a strong partnership to lead global efforts for non-proliferation and universal and non-discriminatory global nuclear disarmament in the 21st century. They affirmed the need for a meaningful dialogue among all states possessing nuclear weapons to build trust and confidence and for reducing the salience of nuclear weapons in international affairs and security doctrines. They support strengthening the six decade-old international norm of non-use of nuclear weapons. They expressed a commitment to strengthen international cooperative activities that will reduce the risk of terrorists acquiring nuclear weapons or material without reducing the rights of nations that play by the rules to harness the power of nuclear energy to advance their energy security. The leaders reaffirmed their shared dedication to work together to realize the commitments outlined at the April 2010 Nuclear Security Summit to achieve the goal of securing vulnerable nuclear materials in the next four years. Both sides expressed deep concern regarding illicit nuclear trafficking and smuggling and resolved to strengthen international cooperative efforts to address these threats through the IAEA, Interpol and in the context of the Nuclear Security Summit Communiqué and Action Plan. The two sides welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership being established by India.

Both sides expressed deep concern about the threat of biological terrorism and pledged to promote international efforts to ensure the safety and security of biological agents and toxins. They stressed the need to achieve full implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and expressed the hope for a successful BWC Review Conference in 2011. The United States welcomed India's destruction of its chemical weapons stockpile in accordance with the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Both countries affirmed their shared commitment to promoting the full and effective implementation of the CWC.

The two leaders expressed regret at the delay in starting negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament for a multilateral, non-discriminatory and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the future production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

India reaffirmed its unilateral and voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing. The United States reaffirmed its testing moratorium and its commitment to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and bring it into force at an early date.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to diplomacy to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, and discussed the need for Iran to take constructive and immediate steps to meet its obligations to the IAEA and the UN Security Council.

Technology, innovation, and energy

Recognizing that India and the United States should play a leadership role in promoting global nonproliferation objectives and their desire to expand high technology cooperation and trade, Prime Minister Singh and President Obama committed to work together to strengthen the global export control framework and further transform bilateral export control regulations and policies to realise the full potential of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Accordingly, the two leaders decided to take mutual steps to expand U.S.-India cooperation in civil space, defense, and other high-technology sectors. Commensurate with India's nonproliferation record and commitment to abide by multilateral export control standards, these steps include the United States removing Indian entities from the U.S. Department of Commerce's "Entity List" and realignment of India in U.S. export control regulations.

In addition, the United States intends to support India's full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes (Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group, and Wassenaar Arrangement) in a phased manner, and to consult with regime members to encourage the evolution of regime membership criteria, consistent with maintaining the core principles of these regimes, as the Government of India takes steps towards the full adoption of the regimes' export control requirements to reflect its prospective membership, with both processes moving forward together. In the view of the United States, India should qualify for membership in the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement according to existing requirements once it imposes export controls over all items on these regimes' control lists.

Both leaders reaffirmed the assurances provided in the letters exchanged in September 2004 and the End-Use Visit Arrangement, and determined that the two governments had reached an understanding to implement these initiatives consistent with their respective national export control laws and policies. The Prime Minister and President committed to a strengthened and expanded dialogue on export control issues, through fora such as the U.S.-India High Technology Cooperation Group, on aspects of capacity building, sharing of best practices, and outreach with industry.

The possibility of cooperation between the two nations in space, to advance scientific knowledge and human welfare, are without boundaries and limits. They commended their space scientists for launching new initiatives in climate and weather forecasting for agriculture, navigation, resource mapping, research and development, and capacity building. They agreed to continuing discussions on and seek ways to collaborate on future lunar missions, international space station, human space flight and data sharing, and to reconvene the Civil Space Joint Working Group in early 2011. They highlighted the just concluded Implementing Arrangement for enhanced monsoon forecasting that will begin to transmit detailed forecasts to farmers beginning with the 2011 monsoon rainy season as an important example of bilateral scientific cooperation advancing economic development, agriculture and food security.

The two leaders welcomed the completion of steps by the two governments for implementation of the India-U.S. civil nuclear agreement. They reiterated their commitment to build strong India-U.S. civil nuclear energy cooperation through the participation of the U.S. nuclear energy firms in India on the basis of mutually acceptable technical and commercial terms and conditions that enable a viable tariff regime for electricity generated. They noted that both countries had enacted domestic legislations and were also signatories to the Convention on Supplementary Compensation. They further noted that India intends to ratify the Convention on Supplementary Compensation within the coming year and is committed to ensuring a level playing field for U.S. companies seeking to enter the Indian nuclear energy sector, consistent with India's national and international legal obligations.

India will continue to work with the companies. In this context, they welcomed the commencement of negotiations and dialogue between the Indian operator and U.S. nuclear energy companies, and expressed hope for early commencement of commercial cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector in India, which will stimulate economic growth and sustainable development and generate employment in both countries.

Just as they have helped develop the knowledge economy, India and the United States resolved to strengthen their partnership in creating the green economy of the future. To this end, both countries have undertaken joint research and deployment of clean energy resources, such as solar, advanced biofuels, shale gas, and smart grids. The two leaders also welcomed the promotion of clean and energy efficient technologies through the bilateral Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE) and expanded cooperation with the private sector. They welcomed the conclusion of a new MoU on assessment and exploration of shale gas and an agreement to establish a Joint Clean Energy Research Center in India as important milestones in their rapidly growing clean energy cooperation.

The leaders discussed the importance of working bilaterally, through the Major Economies Forum (MEF), and in the context of the international climate change negotiations within the framework of the UNFCCC to meet the challenge of climate change. Prime Minister Singh and President Obama reiterated the importance of a positive result for the current climate change negotiations at the forthcoming conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Mexico and affirmed their support for the Copenhagen Accord, which should contribute positively to a successful outcome in Cancun. To that end, the leaders welcomed enhanced cooperation in the area of climate adaptation and sustainable land use, and welcomed the new partnership between the United States and India on forestry programs and in weather forecasting.

Inclusive growth, mutual prosperity, and economic cooperation

The two leaders stressed that India and the United States, anchored in democracy and diversity, blessed with enormous enterprise and skill, and endowed with synergies drawn from India's rapid growth and U.S. global economic leadership, have a natural partnership for enhancing mutual prosperity and stimulating global economic recovery and growth. They emphasize innovation not only as a tool for economic growth and global competitiveness, but also for social transformation and empowerment of people.

Prime Minister Singh and President Obama celebrated the recent growth in bilateral trade and investment, characterized by balanced and rapidly growing trade in goods and services. They noted positively that the United States is India's largest trading partner in goods and services, and India is now among the fastest growing sources of foreign direct investment entering the United States. The two leaders agreed on steps to reduce trade barriers and protectionist measures and encourage research and innovation to create jobs and improve livelihoods in their countries.

They also welcomed expanding investment flow in both directions. They noted growing ties between U.S. and Indian firms and called for enhanced investment flows, including in India's infrastructure sector, clean energy, energy efficiency, aviation and transportation, healthcare, food processing sector and education. They welcomed the work of the U.S.-India CEO Forum to expand cooperation between the two countries, including in the areas of clean energy and infrastructure development. They also encouraged enhanced engagement by Indian and American small and medium-sized enterprises as a critical driver of our economic relationship. They looked forward to building on these developments to realize fully the enormous potential for trade and investment between the two countries.

Recognizing the people-to-people dynamic behind trade and investment growth, they called for intensified consultations on social security issues at an appropriate time. The two leaders agreed to facilitate greater movement of professionals, investors and business travelers, students, and exchange visitors between their countries to enhance their economic and technological partnership.

To enhance growth globally, the Prime Minster and President highlighted both nations' interests in an ambitious and balanced conclusion to the WTO's Doha Development Agenda negotiations, and in having their negotiators accelerate and expand the scope of their substantive negotiations bilaterally and with other WTO members to accomplish this as soon as possible. They agreed to work together in the G-20 to make progress on the broad range of issues on its agenda, including by encouraging actions consistent with achieving strong, balanced, and sustainable growth, strengthening financial system regulation, reforming the international financial institutions, enhancing energy security, resisting protectionism in all its forms, reducing barriers to trade and investment, and implementing the development action plans.

Building on the historic legacy of cooperation between the India and the United States during the Green Revolution, the leaders also decided to work together to develop, test, and replicate transformative technologies to extend food security as part of an Evergreen Revolution. Efforts will focus on providing farmers the means to improve agricultural productivity. Collaboration also will enhance agricultural value chain and strengthen market institutions to reduce post-harvest crop losses.

Affirming the importance of India-U.S. health cooperation, Prime Minister and the President celebrated the signing of an MOU creating a new Global Disease Detection Regional Center in New Delhi, which will facilitate preparedness against threats to health such as pandemic influenza and other dangerous diseases.

Embracing the principles of democracy and opportunity, the leaders recognized that the full future potential of the partnership lies in the hands of the next generation in both countries. To help ensure that all members of that generation enjoy the benefits of higher education, the Prime Minister and the President agreed to convene an India-U.S. Higher Education Summit, chaired by senior officials from both countries in 2011, as part of a continued effort to strengthen educational opportunities. They welcomed the progress made in implementing the Singh-Obama 21st Century Knowledge Initiative that is expanding links between faculties and institutions of the two countries and the expansion in the Nehru-Fulbright Programme for Scholars.

Noting that the ties of kinship and culture are an increasingly important dimension of India-U.S. relations, President Obama welcomed India's decision to hold a Festival of India in Washington DC in 2011. Recognizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage, both governments resolved to initiate discussions on how India and the United States could partner to prevent the illicit trafficking of both countries' rich and unique cultural heritage.

A shared international partnership for democracy and development

Consistent with their commitments to open and responsive government, and harnessing the expertise and experience that the two countries have developed, the leaders launched a U.S.-India Open Government Dialogue that will, through public-private partnerships and use of new technologies and innovations, promote their shared goal of democratizing access to information and energizing civic engagement, support global initiatives in this area and share their expertise with other interested countries. This will build on India's impressive achievements in this area in recent years and the commitments that the President made to advance an open government agenda at the United Nations General Assembly. The President and Prime Minister also pledged to explore cooperation in support of efforts to strengthen elections organization and management in other interested countries, including through sharing their expertise in this area.

Taking advantage of the global nature of their relationship, and recognizing India's vast development experience and historical research strengths, the two leaders pledged to work together, in addition to their independent programmes, to adapt shared innovations and technologies and use their expertise in capacity building to extend food security to interested countries, including in Africa, in consultation with host governments.

Prime Minister Singh and President Obama concluded that their meeting is a historic milestone as they seek to elevate the India-U.S. strategic partnership to a new level for the benefit of their nations and the entire mankind. President Obama thanked President Patil, Prime Minister Singh, and the people of India for their extraordinary warmth and hospitality during his visit. The two leaders looked forward to the next session of the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue in 2011.


Read more at: Full Text: India-US joint statement

[ramana]

Yes its the actions that count from now on. Due to the isolation/silo around India we were in rapture when folks recognize we exist. However, thanks to the miracle of India since 1991, we are now a force to reckon with and US has to take our sensitivities into account when dealing with their outsourced terrorist mongrel. And we see that in play here. Parakram is first time the duet got interrupted.

So far this is the first US visit without a fly-in to Isalm a bad.

In future its not the rhetoric but actions that count.

Also cant India now charge DCH for all the terrorism he did which he hanst admitted to in the plea bargain?

Did he admit to the train bombing in the plea bargain? I dont think so. There is are loopholes and we are not seeing it with legal eyes. getting DCH is a good faith measure of dismantling the terrorist appartaus between the US and TSP.

[chetak]

Sorry for the OT

Spotted sri deve gowda on TV looking very glum, both at the parliament session and at the state banquet for obama.

After the failed shenanigans at Bangalore and the public drubbing of his favored son, he may have tried to cobble up something with sonia gandhi and got snubbed badly.

Too glum to even sleep in public??


BTW, why would burqa be wearing a big red bindi?

Any significance of the bindi in the north like it has in the south of India??

[ramana]

In North elites the bigger the bindi the badder you are! All from watching Zeetv and taking notes!

[negi]

eg: Brinda Karat

[putnanja]

US should identify 26/11 perpetrators, Sushma tells Obama

...
"The US and India share a common perception of the war against terror. However, every Indian would appreciate if the US is clear in identifying the perpetrator of this terror attack - namely Pakistan," Swaraj, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said.

She also said that occasional utterances on behalf of the US such as granting the special status relationship to Pakistan or treating it as a major non-NATO ally had caused concern in India and that an impression should not be allowed to be created in India that "Pakistan is an ally and India a market".

Swaraj also asked the US to take effective steps to ensure justice to the victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy and adequate punishment to the guilty. She pointed out that the US should realize the importance of finding "a solution on the pattern of the BP oil spill case".

She stressed the need for a solution to the confiscation of the social security payments of Indian workers in the US under the totalisation agreement and also issues pertaining to outsourcing.

"Outsourcing is mutually beneficial to both the Indian and the US economies. It gives jobs to Indians but makes corporations in the US more competitive and adds to the efficiency of the US economy. This in turn creates jobs in India and helps a more competitive US economy to generate more jobs in United States of America," Swaraj said.

She also underlined that China "cannot have a role in resolving any issue in South Asia. The United States must dispel this notion."

...
...

[putnanja]

eg: Brinda Karat

And Sushma Swaraj ??

[putnanja]

Gibbs threatens to pull Obama from India talks after press dispute

...
But during President Obama's trip to India, Gibbs assumed the role of press advocate and threatened to pull Obama out of bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh because three U.S. reporters were blocked from covering the meeting.
...
The Washington Post's Scott Wilson—who was on White House pool duty Monday and filed the report for the White House press corps—wrote that "Gibbs announced loudly and persistently on steps of Hyderabad House that he would pull" President Obama out of the meeting "unless 'the White House 8,' as we've come to be known, were all allowed in."

As the discussion continued, Gibbs grew more animated.

"At one point, Gibbs literally had his foot lodged in the closing front door, asking if the Indian security officials pushing hard to shut it were going to break his foot," Wilson continued. "More angry words ensued, and after Gibbs convinced them, through high volume and repetition, that he was serious" about pulling Obama, the press secretary had the security retinue's full attention.

...

Gibbs' intervention worked: The Indian officials eventually allowed the full American press delegation into the event, along with a larger group of Indian reporters.
...

[ramana]

We should also note this moving vist to Gandhiji's samadhi....

From Pioneer 8 Nov 2010...

FRONT PAGE | Tuesday, November 9, 2010 | Email | Print | | Back


‘Gandhian’ guests charm with simplicity
November 09, 2010 1:39:56 AM

Rakesh Ranjan | New Delhi

The Gandhi Samadhi volunteers at Rajghat have seldom received a more ‘Gandhian’ State guest at the memorial of the Father of the Nation.

US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle walked barefoot to the Mahatma’s memorial on Monday and placed a wreath at his final resting place. Much to the surprise of the Rajghat officials, the Obamas politely refused to wear the slippers offered to them when they took off their shoes while entering the memorial.

The President also stunned the handful of people surrounding him when he revealed that he had already read the Mahatma’s autobiography, My Experiments With Truth, and was well aware of the scroll with ‘Seven Sins’ inscribed on it. The book and the scroll were presented to the visiting dignitary during his visit to Rajghat.

A visibly elated Obama enquired about the opening and closing hours of the memorial and the number of people visiting it on an average day. “The President asked us when does it (Rajghat) open for public every day and how many people visit here daily,” said Rajnish Kumar, the Gandhi Samadhi Committee secretary who welcomed the First Couple of the United States at Rajghat. When he was informed that the memorial generally opens at 8 am, Obama asked in a lighter vein, “When will it open today?” He received the reply, “Immediately after your visit.”

During his 20-minute stay at Rajghat, Obama was visibly impressed with the memorial’s simplicity and beauty. “Simple and very beautiful,” he said as Michelle nodded to second the comment, “Very beautiful.” The officials were pleased to see the President placing a wreath of white flowers on the samadhi and later describing white colour as the symbol of peace.

“President Obama and Michelle are simple (people). The President acknowledged the influence of Mahatma Gandhi on him. He surprised us by sharing with us his knowledge of the Mahatma,” Kumar said. Obama’s gesture on Monday was keeping in with his assertion — which he made on the eve of his arrival in India — that the modern-day America has its roots in the India of Mahatma Gandhi.

The US First Couple reached Rajghat at 10.15 am, bowed their heads, stood in silence for a minute, placed a wreath at the samadhi and showered flower petals on it. “We will always remember the great soul who changed the world with his message of peace, tolerance and love. More than 60 years after his passing (away), his light continues to inspire the world,” Obama wrote in the visitor’s book.

Unlike his predecessors Bill Clinton and George W Bush, who too had visited the memorial in 2000 and 2006 respectively, Obama showered candid praise on the Mahatma, terming him the apostle of peace.

The visiting dignitaries were presented with a charkha, a Gandhi bust, a copy of his autobiography and a khadi scroll listing the seven social sins, which were first mentioned by Mahatma Gandhi in Young India in 1925.

The US President also had something to offer at Rajghat. “It was a rare gift from US President Barack Obama to the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi — a stone (bearing Obama’s autograph) that had been used to build the memorial of civil rights icon Martin Luther King, who too was inspired by the Father of the Nation,” said Kumar, who received the memorabilia from Obama. An overwhelmed Obama also gave a silent consent to revisiting Rajghat when he was informed that Indians do not traditionally say ‘bye’ but ‘visit again’ to the guests going away.

Shopping for divinity

New Delhi: A giant idol of Hanuman was among the items bought by First Lady Michelle Obama from the Crafts Museum at Pragati Maidan on Monday. US President Barack Obama, who spent his initial years in Indonesia where there is significant influence of Hinduism, is known to have deep faith in Hanuman and had famously carried a small idol of the Hindu god as lucky charm during his presidential campaign in 2008. A group of well-wishers from Delhi had also sent him a gold-plated two-ft-high idol of Hanuman in 2008 for good luck.

[ramana]

That cooperation agreement between Indian NCDC, Delhi and CDC Atlanta is good to ensure future bio attacks are quickly idenitfied.

In 1994 there was suspicion that TSP used modified plague bacteria from Central Asia in India. The story died after some months without closure. Some DRDO lab had identified heavy molecular weight components in the bacteria and this pointed to alteration in a lab or other facility.

[CRamS]

US should identify 26/11 perpetrators, Sushma tells Obama

IMO, SushmaJi's views are the most dignified and practical responses to US; without sounding arrogant and preachy (as someone pointed out, 80% of Indians live in poverty, and so all this tough talk about US needing India more than India needing US is hollow hot air), and yet placing the relationship on as much an equal footing as is possible given the power disparities between the 2 countries.

[suryag]

Will the cirrus CEO's sentence be cut short, now that the dual use entities are trimmed ?

[abhishek_sharma]

U.S. - India Transactions

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-off ... ansactions

Heavy Transport Aircraft: The Boeing Company and the Indian Air Force have reached preliminary agreement on the purchase of 10 C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft ...

Engine Sale for the Light Combat Aircraft: ...

Commercial Aircraft Sale: Boeing Company, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and SpiceJet, a leading private airline in India, concluded a definitive agreement for the sale of 30 B737-800 commercial aircraft. ...

Gas and Steam Turbine Sale: The General Electric Company, headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, was selected to supply six advanced class 9FA gas turbines and three steam turbines for the 2,500-megawatt Samalkot power plant expansion to be constructed by Reliance Power Ltd....

Reliance Power and U.S. Ex-Im Bank Agreement: Reliance Power Ltd.,...


Diesel Locomotive Manufacturing Venture: ...

Motorcycle Assembly Plant: Harley-Davidson Motor Company, ...


Sale of U.S. Mining Equipment and Related Support Equipment: ...

Tunneling Equipment for Underground Water Channel: ...

Maharashtra Homeland Security Pilot Projects: ...

Medanta Duke Research Institute (MDRI): Duke Medicine, located in Durham, North Carolina...

Long-range Antenna System for Rural Telecommunications: SPX Communication Technology...

Production Equipment for the Manufacture of Pre-fabricated Housing: ...

The Unique Identification Project: L-1 Identity Solutions, ...

Sale of Precision Measurement Instruments for Fuel Cell Research: ...

Trace Explosive Detection Equipment: Implant Sciences, ...

Sales of Pre-owned Refurbished Healthcare Equipment: ...

Monitoring Equipment for Greening Buildings: ...

Dredges for Maharashtra Maritime Board: ...

[ramana]

I think the slieght of hand in the UNSC seat will be creating a new class of non-veto permanent members. This is only way PRC will agree.
And this will be sold to India that at a latter date or in future majority vote will be the basis and not the veto.

And as usual DDM will go on overdrive as to how great the day is for India and vote for whatever the ruling dispensation at that time.

[ManuT]

3 points

1. UNSC seat should be a worthy cause for India. It ties TSP's 'small' diplomatic corps in knots. It knows once India has a seat at the table as a veto member, even a peon from GOI can use it at any hint of K for eternity to come. IMO, the clock for a negotiated settlement ticks a little faster for TSP, even with just the noises about it.

Besides it doesn't cost much for Indian foreign office to mention it repeatedly, at this point as it has the momentum, but as a result TSP's foreign office will be a little more stretched.

2. The only thing of use I see, is the future link up of DHS and MHA.

3. At a minimum, BO made the right noises for most part. The potential advantage for BO is that, he possibly has 6 years as the American President, unlike Clinton and Bush Jr. which visited India in their second term, with Clinton in his last year. I say 6 years because, if Bush Jr can get elected and then get re-elected, I think it will not be easy to beat BO in 2012.

So it will be interesting to watch.

[hnair]

That cooperation agreement between Indian NCDC, Delhi and CDC Atlanta is good to ensure future bio attacks are quickly idenitfied.

In 1994 there was suspicion that TSP used modified plague bacteria from Central Asia in India. The story died after some months without closure. Some DRDO lab had identified heavy molecular weight components in the bacteria and this pointed to alteration in a lab or other facility.

Based on the '93 Mumbai Blasts lost evidence story, one can only hope those CDC blokes dont "accidentally" loose the evidence collected in India during such incidents.

You bring a major aspect of deniable mass murder, ramana-saar. Despite Kamal Hasan's "stellar efforts" in spreading panic through Dasavatharam, we hardly have level3s in all major areas of India and need at least a few more level4 facilities than the two we have. Panda's jernail class loves these sorts of games and one can never be careful, if they feel inadequate over something.

[RamaY]

I think the slieght of hand in the UNSC seat will be creating a new class of non-veto permanent members. This is only way PRC will agree.
And this will be sold to India that at a latter date or in future majority vote will be the basis and not the veto.

And as usual DDM will go on overdrive as to how great the day is for India and vote for whatever the ruling dispensation at that time.

If PRC can be convinced to make space for Indian-nuke deal, it can be convinced for UNSC veto-yielding seat. If all other P5 members make the recommendation, it will convince PRC to live with India. UK, France, and Russia have already their support. If BO is serious about it, then it is a done deal.

In a way it is a boon to India to have a (allegedly) rightist BJP as the main opposition. It allows INC to make right deals; something similar to a republican majority congress is somehow good for BO on issues like outsourcing, Af-Pak war, Iraq withdrawal etc.,

[Prem]

Regarding UNSC seat , has the case of Japan and Germany now weaken with the financial crisis?
2 Seats for Asia ( India and China) 2 for Europe ( already held) 2 for America ( US and Brazil) and One for Russia and Africa make pretty fair council.