India-US News and Discussion

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 24 Nov 2009 05:56

US restricts import of matches
http://telegraphindia.com/1091124/jsp/n ... 777936.jsp

FICCI inks 3 pacts with US institutes
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/det ... 9/Business

Dollar influx hurting exports: FIEO
http://beta.thehindu.com/business/Indus ... e53461.ece

pgbhat · Post by **pgbhat** » 24 Nov 2009 05:57

SwamyG wrote:Russia-India-China: The Bush curse

It is not only its Chinese neighbour that India can’t get along with. Deriving from its perennial distrust of anything to do with Pakistan, Delhi refuses to acknowledge the fact that the Taliban are an Afghan political reality and are part (let alone “all”) of any solution. Having drifted into the US orbit (curiously, along with its rival Pakistan), India risks being left behind, as the US-inspired war in Afghanistan continues to go nowhere, Pakistan descends into anarchy, China surges ahead, and the Russians and Chinese intensify their cooperation.

Condescending piece of garbage.

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 24 Nov 2009 06:19

MMS address at the Center for Foreign Relations . (Audio here link on cfr's site)

Excellent IMO - Few very blunt things:

(India would not be budged from pursuing its interests in Afghanistan ... No turning of country toxic under Pakistan’s malignant influence or American uncertainty...)
Appox quotes:

ndia has enduring civilizational links with Afghanistan. India will continue to assist Afghanistan in building its institutions and ...

..The road to peace on Afghanistan will be long and hard. But given the high stakes involved, the commitment of the international community must be sustained by firm resolve and unity of purpose.

[For Paki's talks to happen ] for that to happen Pakistan must make a break with the past, abjure terrorism and come to the table with good faith and sincerity ...
...We should not harbour any illusions that a selective approach to terrorism , tackling it on one place while ignoring it in others, will work

Added later: TOI has a story :Stay the course in Afghanistan, PM Manmohan Singh urges US

Also check out the answers MMS gave in the end wrt to "Will Pakis fail (as nation)?" and more interesting to me was his answer about ' will MMS has second thought about remarkable restraint India shown after 26/11.. and if god forbid another attack happens..."

(On a personal note and small tidbit from Ohio: One nice young man I know for quite some time (he is about the same age as my sons) and who took some interest in public life here in Ohio (Believe he is the first one of Indian origin to win an election in Ohio state Assembly) is invited to this white house dinner and he is going to attend it along with his mother !) )

Also may be of Interest: the interview with Burns:
Reassuring India
("Nicholas Burns, lead negotiator on the U.S.-India nuclear deal in the Bush administration, says Washington must reassure New Delhi that it is a "valued strategic partner." Bilateral relations are under scrutiny as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets President Barack Obama this week.")

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 24 Nov 2009 07:14

pgbhat wrote:
SwamyG wrote:Russia-India-China: The Bush curse

It is not only its Chinese neighbour that India can’t get along with. Deriving from its perennial distrust of anything to do with Pakistan, Delhi refuses to acknowledge the fact that the Taliban are an Afghan political reality and are part (let alone “all”) of any solution. Having drifted into the US orbit (curiously, along with its rival Pakistan), India risks being left behind, as the US-inspired war in Afghanistan continues to go nowhere, Pakistan descends into anarchy, China surges ahead, and the Russians and Chinese intensify their cooperation.
Condescending piece of garbage.

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Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 24 Nov 2009 09:59

Amber G,

Thanks for the link to CFR.

On the Nick Burns interview, (and by the way he is a Clinton administration appointee that was retained by Dubya), brings up a very valid point which I've been trying to make before being criticized by the Ombaba followers:

But, we have not yet heard a clear statement from the Obama administration that India's rise to power is in the strategic interest of the United States. That was clearly the policy of the last two presidents.

From the Beijing statement and actions in AfPak, including the largess of $1.1 + $7.5 billion aid, and reviving of NPT/FMCT related treaties, the Ombaba administration is attempting to inhibit India's rise to power. Although we won't see statements similar to Nixon about IG, since its politically incorrect given the 24/7 news cycle, the sentiment is the same. For this reason NRIs/PIOs must work for Ombaba's political defeat in legislative matters and elections. It is difficult as incumbents are generally re-elected in the US, but doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

BTW, congratulations to your family friend Jay Goyal being invited to the state dinner. Ombaba will need Ohio's congressional votes in 2010 and electoral votes in 2012. Noticeably, John Boehner (R) of Ohio turned down the invitation. The Republicans sense weakness with high unemployment (Ohio is in the 10%+) and lower Ombaba popularity (48%). What this means from India's PoV is that the administration is not going to use its political capital for advocating India's cause since they have a higher priority legislative agenda which will be needed for winning elections.

Sumeet · Post by **Sumeet** » 24 Nov 2009 10:03

Cannot ignore China's assertiveness: PM

Against the backdrop of some provocative steps by China, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said there was a "certain amount of assertiveness" by China lately, which had to be taken note of.

In a hard-hitting statement, he also sought to ridicule China's growth, suggesting that it was achieved by the "writ of the ruling group in an undemocratic set-up" while ignoring values like respect for human rights and multi-ethnic and multi-cultural rights.

"There is certain amount of assertiveness on the part of Chinese. I don't fully understand the reasons for it. That has to be taken note of," Singh said during an interaction at the US Council for Foreign Relations here.

He did not elaborate but the statement assumes significance considering that China has recently been involved in some provocative steps like issuing visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir on stapled sheets of paper rather than passport, to send out a message that the state was not a part of India.

Besides, China has objected to the Prime Minister's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, is participating in projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir despite India's objections and mentioned Indo-Pak relations in Joint Statement with the US.

Sumeet · Post by **Sumeet** » 24 Nov 2009 10:25

There is also a video of MMS saying all that.

I don't understand China's assertiveness: PM

Washington: India's relation with Pakistan, China and the terror scourge is weighing heavily on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's mind as he get ready to meet US President Barack Obama as his first state guest in Washington on Tuesday.

Admitting that Sino-India relationship hit a new low especially after Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's trip to Arunachal Pradesh recently, Singh said he failed to understand the reason behind the assertiveness on the Chinese part.

"We want the world to prepare for the peaceful rise of China as a major power. So, engagement is the right strategy for India as well as for United States. We ourselves have tried very hard to engage China in the last five years and today China is one of our major trading partners. We also recognise that we have a long standing border problem with China. We are trying to resolve it through dialogue. In the meanwhile both our countries have agreed that pending the resolution of the border problem, peace and tranquility should be maintained in the border line. Having said tat I should say that I have received these assurances from Chinese leadership from the highest level. There is but a certain amount of assertiveness on the Chinese part. I don't fully understand the reasons for it," Singh said at the Council on Foreign Relations.

India had also rejected Obama's offer to China to assume the role of supercop in the region especially in Indo-Pak matters.

Singh also pointed out that China also has much to learn about human rights and rule of law.

"There is no doubt that Chinese growth performance is superior to Indian performance. But I have always believed that there are other values which are important than the growth of the gross domestic product. I think the respect for fundamental human rights, the respect for the rule of law, respect for multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious rights, I think those have values. So, even the Indian perforce with regard to the GDP might not be as good as the Chinese, certainly I would not like to choose the Chinese path," he added.

Singh on Monday outlined the progress made with respect to the peace process with Pakistan.

He also stressed for the need of an environment of peace, friendship and prosperity in South Asia. He also discussed the need for Pakistan to break away from the past and abjure terrorism.

"India has invested heavily in normalising relations with Pakistan. We are ready to pick up the threads of the dialogue including Jammu and Kashmir," said Singh.

Days before the first anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks the Indian Prime Minister also said that the trauma still continued to haunt India.

"We are three days away from the first anniversary of Mumbai attacks. The trauma of 26/11 continues to haunt us," he said.

He also thanked the US for its fight against terror.

"We deeply appreciate US cooperation in the area of counter terrorism. We can do much more together and combat sophisticated terror networks," he said.

VikramS · Post by **VikramS** » 24 Nov 2009 12:12

negi wrote:
VikramS wrote: =>If one of the primary purpose is to create awareness about nationalist issues among the everyday Macualay-RomilaThapar educated Indian, then posts like the once I have referred to defeat the purpose. I have personal experience about people who I have referred to BR not being particularly impressed; there are others who have said the same.
You mean speculating whether a certain Bollywood handle 'Rahul' is SRK or someone else is against the interests of Country ?

I hope you understand there is a difference between speculation and allegation.As far as I can recollect the posts in question were merely talking about the possible people , SRK's name came up for he is sported that name in most of his movies . You seem to be reading too much into it .

And what has Macualayite propaganda has to do with the above example ? I see a clear case of creating fuss over nothing.

Btw last I checked 'Rahul Roy' was also mentioned , but I guess his name does not cause much takleef.

You are right about takleef.
(1) Bringing SRK's name causes more takleef than a Mahesh Bhatt sponsored nobody called Rahul Roy; especially when it is speculated that that SRK's connection with Headley must have been the reason he was stopped and questioned at a US airport.
(2) When Mahesh Bhatt was supporting his nephew Hashmi when he was

about not getting a flat, it was SRK (and SK) who asked Bhatt and co. to stop the discrimination tamasha. SRK also downplayed the US airport incident, when he could have easily made a ruckus out of it.

The nationalists anyway have an up-hill task with attack on their credibility coming from many sides; allow these insinuations and you hurt the cause more. The BR-reeducated can perhaps understand the thought behind it; those who are not. are not likely to be attracted to BR.
Know your audience.
What good are these so called nationalists whose definition of nationalism is so fickle that it is shaken by inane in fact non issues as above ?

--corrected typos

You have completely misunderstood me when it comes to the Macauly-Thapar reference. Read my posts again

The issue is not how the 0.1% of Indians who have had BR-reeducation feel about something. It is the 99.9% whose education is limited to Macaulay/RomilaThapar will perceive something. You may feel that such fickle (sic) people do not serve any nationalist purpose. Continue along those lines and the success of the nationalists in increasing their ranks is likely be stuck in the Hindu growth rate (sic). Opinions drilled in by generations of brainwashing will not change overnight. Start making lose, unsubstantiated allegations against one of the most popular and liked Indians, and you strengthen the hands of those whose raisin-dieter is to denigrate the nationalists.

Again know your audience and your objective before you start speculating.

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 24 Nov 2009 12:23

I don't understand why you hurt at speculation. This is the media's job. Why blame BRF or those who post here. Try Google:

http://www.google.co.in/search?q=specul ... =firefox-a

You would be surprised how many news sites national and international carried that story. Rediff did it prominently too..

http://movies.rediff.com/report/2009/oc ... ng-for.htm

So it's not the .001% Indians who post it did that. It was honest, informed speculation. Thats it. Being unnecessarily 'sensitive' to some one's feelings is what descends slowly into dhimmitude.

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 24 Nov 2009 12:33

Reading Rajeev Srinivasans' column in Rediff after a long time:

It is entirely possible that, given the trial balloon of the Sino-US statement on China's role in South Asia, the Americans will convince Manmohan Singh to endorse the idea of the G-2. There will be the usual round of 'clarifications' and 'retractions' and howls about 'misquotes', but at the end of the day, it would be plain as daylight that India had publicly accepted banana-republic-dom in the Asian Century.

We have to be prepared for such an eventuality. And that is why the US does not respect India as a potential ally. India is only a source of raw materials and a market, just as the imperialists saw it. India does not deserve any respect, either. A wimpy India -- which cannot deter even a failed state like Pakistan -- is merely an extra in the big scheme of things.

A nation that has no long-term strategic intent, and whose leaders can be easily manipulated through flattery, is a banana republic. Unlike China, which intends to rule the world, India, which can only imagine itself as a second-rate power, will remain one. Welcome to realpolitik.

http://news.rediff.com/column/2009/nov/ ... -visit.htm

VikramS · Post by **VikramS** » 24 Nov 2009 12:44

harbans:

I was not aware of all the stuff going on in Indian media. Thanks for pointing that out.

The SRK case was just an example of a tendency I have observed over the years; the SRK posts had stuck in my mind. Perhaps I am a bit more sensitive because of some personal observation where over eager, black and white classification has backfired.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 24 Nov 2009 14:18

Unless the US stops major arms sales to Pak,which from the Pakis own mouths have been misusd and directed at India,why should we support US arms manufacturers and allow them to make billions at the expense of both India and pak?They are laughing all the way to the bank making money out of our misery.The US in addition places massive conditions for any arms sales and generally fobs off its obsolescent stuff on its non-allies,like the offered F-16/F-18,after both aircraft have been bought by almost every ally of it decades ago and whose production has ceased or about to cease,with its allies buying newer aircraft like the JSF,etc.!

What is more important is that India and the US work out a working relationship,firstly for the sub-continent,where Pak is the rogue state and China eyeing the region for annexation or establishing its suzerainity.The US's abdication of Asia to China is detrimental to India and any secondary status envisaged by the US in any sphere is unacceptable to us.If a little state like Sri Lanka can send the upturned finger to the US on its own security issues,a giant like India should be able to achieve far more merely with a glance of the eye."The glance of the eye moves more rapidly than fate",said famous shogun,Yoritomo Tashi.

PS:Is Barrack a fraud?

Former British policeman backs Barack Obama 'birthers' conspiracy theory
A former British policeman is using his Scotland Yard training to help the Birthers, a group of conspiracy theorists, in trying to unseat President Barack Obama.

Published: 11:00AM GMT 23 Nov 2009

Conspiracy theorists claim Barack Obama is not eligible to be US President Photo: GETTY
Neil Sankey, who has almost 20 years experience serving in Special Branch and the Bomb Squad, is now devoting his energies to proving that Mr Obama is not a natural born US citizen.

He joined the Birthers after meeting Orly Taitz, one of the leaders of the group, which disputes Mr Obama’s claim that he was born in Hawaii.

Over the past year, Mr Sankey has been integral in some of the most aggressive efforts to remove him from office by claiming that his presidency is illegitimate.

He tried to block Obama's inauguration last year by contacting all 538 electoral college representatives who formally elect the president.

Mr Sankey has also carried out an investigation into Mr Obama's personal identification history which he claims shows a suspicious number of social security numbers

He has refuted allegations that his attempts are racially motivated, claiming that he disagrees with Mr Obama’s politics and is convinced that he is not genuine.

Mr Sankey, who moved to California in the 1980s to set up his own private detective agency, told the Guardian: “The objection is not Obama's colour but his politics.

“I like him as a person, I just wish he was genuine.

“It's quite obvious to me — America is heading towards a socialised state just as has happened in Europe. Socialised medicine, everyone on the dole, and when everything collapses you tip the scales into Marxism."

Mr Sankey joined Hampshire Police in 1961 before being seconded as a detective sergeant to Scotland Yard. During the 1970s he tracked left wing political groups and the IRA. He became a naturalised American in 1985.

He believes that his British police training is proving crucial to the work he is now pursuing for the Birthers. He said he uses the same techniques he employed to analyse the IRA's associations, to trace Mr Obama’s past.

Taitz added: “He has had superb training. I have the greatest respect for Scotland Yard.”

Most recently, Mr Sankey carried out a search of databases that he claims produced 140 different identification numbers and addresses for "Barack Obama". He admits the findings prove nothing — there is nothing to link the entries to the president — but he believes it raises further doubts that need investigating.

He told the Guardian that his fascination with Mr Obama’s heritage began with the realisation "that this man wasn't what he said he was. He wasn't an ordinary Democrat — he was far more extreme than that."

During the 2008 US presidential election, rumours began to circulate on the internet that Barack Obama had not been born in the US, and was therefore not eligible for the presidency.

Mr Obama's campaign rebutted the claims, publishing his birth certificate proving that he was born in Hawaii, however, conspiracy theorists have dismissed it as a forgery.

Doubters believe that Mr Obama was born in Kenya and that he cannot be president because the US constitution states that "no person except a natural born citizen... shall be eligible to the office of President".

A number of lawsuits have been filed by people who question Mr Obama's eligibility, including Taitz, but all of them have been dismissed at the earliest stages.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... heory.html

Ujjal · Post by **Ujjal** » 24 Nov 2009 15:11

During the early years (70s-80s), US treated China as a "possible rising power" among the ghettos. Emphasis on ghettos. Now they are facing the consequences. Sam realized his mistake after seeing China's GDP quintuple during the 1980-2000 period. (Interestingly, India's GDP = China's in 1990).. Do you know where's the caste-system still prevalent? Hint: State Department. Say what you want, but GOTUS looks at things myopically..They can't see/plan/act beyond four years. Strategically, this is good for us. One day, Sam will regret his mistakes. Hopefully, I'll be alive to rejoice.

Ujjal · Post by **Ujjal** » 24 Nov 2009 15:34

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD1EHG_rr1Q

A Munna vlogs.. found this while searching for MS on Youtube.

biswas · Post by **biswas** » 24 Nov 2009 19:55

If you go quick you can see a live stream of MMS in the US.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live

Uttam · Post by **Uttam** » 24 Nov 2009 20:06

From NPR

For India's P.M., A White House Pampering And Feast
by KEVIN WHITELAW
November 24, 2009

President Obama hosts his first state visit Tuesday, calling on the full ceremonial power of the White House as he meets with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The relationship between the two countries is perhaps the warmest and most productive it has ever been. But Indian leaders remain worried that Obama will be distracted by issues like Pakistan that could prevent him from treating India as a true global power in the same way as his predecessor.

The Bush administration viewed India, the world's largest democracy, as a key strategic partner in Asia and as one of the world's most dynamic economies. Under Bush, Washington and New Delhi overcame decades of tension and mutual suspicion, signing a landmark deal in 2005 on civil nuclear cooperation.

What India wants is that Obama will continue treating them as a center of power in Asia.
- Ashley Tellis, former State Department official and expert on South Asia

"I don't think President Obama has convinced the Indians yet that he would be willing to go the extra mile for India that President Bush did," says Lisa Curtis, a former U.S. diplomat now at the Heritage Foundation. "They've seen the Obama administration very focused on Pakistan and Afghanistan, and there is uncertainty about how India fits in with President Obama's thinking."

The selection to host the Indian prime minister as Obama's first state visitor, complete with a formal state dinner on Tuesday night, was designed as a deliberate signal of India's prominence in Washington.

"Few relationships will matter more to the course of human events in the 21st century than the partnership between India and the United States," William Burns, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, said in a Washington speech last week.

But the Obama administration has some cleaning up to do after a few perceived missteps during the president's swing through Asia earlier this month.

Indian officials were worried after Obama delivered a major policy address in Tokyo on the "rising powers" of Asia without a single mention of India.

Separately, the formal statement issued by China and the United States during Obama's Beijing visit said the two countries would play a joint role in managing issues in South Asia. With no mention of India, the statement fueled additional doubts in New Delhi.

"What Bush did was, he treated India as one of the big two or three centers of power in Asia," says Ashley Tellis, a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "What India wants is that Obama will continue treating them as a center of power in Asia."

Still, the Obama administration has been cooperating actively with India in a number of areas, including energy, health, education and agriculture.

"That's going to be part of the story — that the U.S.-India relationship is no longer a single-issue relationship," says Tellis, a former State Department official. "It's moved beyond the old obsessions with the nuclear issue."

The two leaders are expected to announce several new initiatives in these areas during the visit. Singh told a Washington audience on Monday that he and Obama will sign a memorandum aimed at boosting cooperation on energy security, clean energy and climate change.

"This will provide a framework for pursuing bilateral cooperation in specific areas," Singh said.

But when it comes to climate change, no breakthroughs are expected because India remains opposed to accepting binding restrictions on its emissions.

Obama and Singh will also be talking about nonproliferation issues and the war in Afghanistan, as well as counterterrorism. India is hoping that the United States will be able to put additional pressure on Pakistan to crack down on the group believed to be responsible for the Mumbai attack last year.

But Pakistan will be watching the meeting anxiously for its own reasons.

"Pakistan is paranoid about the U.S. relationship with India," says Curtis. "They recognize that India is moving forward economically and is having much greater influence on a global scale, and, unfortunately, Pakistan seems to be moving in the opposite direction."

The U.S. has historically had close relations with Pakistan, but tensions over Islamabad's seriousness in tackling terrorism have strained the relationship in recent years.

While India's economy is a vibrant success story, Pakistan remains deeply dependent on foreign aid.

"When you think of Pakistan, it's how can we avoid the worst," says Tellis. "When you think of India, the first thing you think about is opportunity. The trajectories are so different."

vera_k · Post by **vera_k** » 24 Nov 2009 21:00

Ujjal wrote:Interestingly, India's GDP = China's in 1990

Don't you mean India's GDP 2008 = China's in 2002? Or is this the other one the prevailing impression in State?

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 24 Nov 2009 21:33

Philip wrote: PS:Is Barrack a fraud?
l

Philip: No offence but the Birthrates make Zaid Hamid look like a genius.
Check this out, and enjoy:
Caused by a Virus

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 24 Nov 2009 21:33

CFR :: A Conversation with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh

A very interesting article:

FT :: Singh backs US mission in Afghanistan

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 24 Nov 2009 21:35

^^^^Nrao Thanks for posting it. (I posted the audio link before, and this was shown on CSPAN)

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 24 Nov 2009 21:36

Tunku Varadarajan on the MMS visit and the state of India-US relations

Finally, a broader word about India and its relationship with America: Unlike China, which is inherently competitive for global leadership—and which will never accept American leadership or direction—India is a country that would, like Britain or Japan or Germany, settle for a partnership with the United States that guaranteed mutual benefit and respect. India’s natural state, if nations can be said to have such a thing, is neither triumphalist nor antagonist; it is cooperative and redemptive, much as America’s tends to be. One trusts that Mr. Obama will come to see these qualities as clearly as his predecessor did. If not, this could be one area in which history will judge Mr. Obama to have been “dumb,” and Mr. Bush to have been the “smart” one.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 24 Nov 2009 21:42

Tunku, IMVVHO, is right.

And, MMS has made the very same argument. And, I think MMS has painted Obama into a corner - Obama will be forced to make a public decision. But, MMS has done it in a very nice and polite way.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 24 Nov 2009 21:51

Here's the flickr WH photostream:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse

Its worthwhile downloading the full high resolution shot to see the expression on peoples faces.
It should be updated with more.

The one thing I like about Ombaba is that his official photographer uses my favorite body and lens combinations.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 24 Nov 2009 22:07

India Indispensable to a Future We Want to Build: Obama

US President Barack Obama today warmly welcomed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh telling him that India was "indispensable" to a future "we want to build".

Obama and First Lady Michelle personally received Singh, the first State Guest of the 10-month-old Obama Administration, and his wife Gursharan Kaur at the White House.

"Yours is the first official state visit of my presidency, its fitting that you and India be so recognised," 48-year-old Obama told the 77-year-old Indian leader.

"We want to build a future in which India is indispensable," he said adding, "India and US can strengthen the global economic recovery."

"As nuclear powers, we can be full partners in preventing the spread of the world's most deadly weapons, securing loose nuclear materials from terrorists, and pursuing our shared vision of a world without nuclear weapons," Obama said.

.........................................

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 24 Nov 2009 22:34

Can someone please find the guest list and post the link for it? We need to find out who's on it and what possible strategic implications it has.

Mr Ambani will not be at the White House tonight, according to sources in the Indian delegation, but his older brother, Mukesh, will. He will join a third Indian billionaire, Ratan Tata, in a 13-strong group of business leaders whose presence in Washington with Mr Singh underlines the central theme of the first state visit of Mr Obama’s presidency: commerce.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 24 Nov 2009 22:39

Mort Walker wrote:Can someone please find the guest list and post the link for it? We need to find out who's on it and what possible strategic implications it has.

Mr Ambani will not be at the White House tonight, according to sources in the Indian delegation, but his older brother, Mukesh, will. He will join a third Indian billionaire, Ratan Tata, in a 13-strong group of business leaders whose presence in Washington with Mr Singh underlines the central theme of the first state visit of Mr Obama’s presidency: commerce.

Chicago Suntimes reports 320 guests.

Starter list:

From the US side, Vice President Joseph Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel were present. India was represented by External Affairs S M Krishna, Sam Pitroda, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Indian envoy to the US Meera Shankar.

From the corporate world, Ratan Tata, Sunil Mittal, Chanda Kochar, Deepak Parekh, Kiran Majumdar-Shaw attended the ceremony, among others

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 24 Nov 2009 22:42

Thanks NRao.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/2 ... 68894.html

No comments.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 24 Nov 2009 22:48

MEETING THE PRESS: Speaking before reporters with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President Obama called India a "rising and responsible global power."
"The relationship between the United States and India will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century," Obama said. "I have happily accepted [Singh's] gracious invitation to visit India next year." (12:07 p.m.)

"We’ve made progress in confronting climate change. I commended the prime minister for India’s leadership in areas like green building and energy efficiency," Obama said.

After acknowledging the anniversary of the attacks on Mumbai, Obama told Singh: "You will have no better friend than the United States of America." (12:16 p.m.)

SINGH'S TURN: Singh took over from Obama, telling reporters the two leaders "agreed to further intensify our trade investment and economic cooperation in a way that creates jobs and prosperity in both our two countries and stimulates global economic recovery."

"The global economic crisis has brought home the fact that our prosperity is interlinked," Singh said. (12:20 p.m.)

Had to post the whole thing since the link will change content.
http://www.politico.com/politico44/

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 24 Nov 2009 22:52

Maroof raza on Times Now making no bones about his disappointment re the joint press conference. Great opportunity lost. Claims no regional security angle was brought up.

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 24 Nov 2009 22:56

Huffington Post headings creator are some of the worst available online.

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 24 Nov 2009 22:57

Hari Seldon wrote:Maroof raza on Times Now making no bones about his disappointment re the joint press conference. Great opportunity lost. Claims no regional security angle was brought up.

Disappointed!?! I have the TV remote in one hand and whiskey in another.

Talk about Chai-biskoot -- goody good. Let us buy make those PHWR and the 3 cycle stuff. Keeping US at arms length on any matters of strategic imporatance is best.

Their goals and ours dont align at all, and wont align till US sufficiently agrees to cede the control of Near west to Java back to Indians.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 24 Nov 2009 22:59

Ombaba is stuck since Dec. 1st will be the announcement for Afghanistan's future. Had the administration been thinking about India and regional security, the Afghanistan plans would have been announced a few days earlier. Making any announcement with MMS would only then be of consequence. Ombaba's administration is only humoring MMS and India. Sometimes pictures are a thousand words, and look at Ombaba, Biden and Clinton's expressions. The look is one of humor and the guests will be the butt of jokes later.

karthik · Post by **karthik** » 24 Nov 2009 23:00

Is it just me or does anyone else feel nervous when MS speaks? I was afraid he would chock but he did a good job..

He is great man and i think others see as an honest man who they can trust, so he gets a lot of deal done that way.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 24 Nov 2009 23:01

Their goals and ours dont align at all, and wont align till US sufficiently agrees to cede the control of Near west to Java back to Indians.

Or at least until US-India trade is 1/3 of the US-China trade.

Jarita · Post by **Jarita** » 24 Nov 2009 23:02

Huge buzz about state dinner
http://m.www.yahoo.com/

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091124/ap_ ... s_us_india
The White House is eager to show that, despite what some Indians see as a lack of attention during Obama's first 10 months, it values Singh's country as a key partner in dealing with extremists in South Asia, in settling international trade and global warming pacts and in steering the world economy out of turmoil.

Indians will be looking for Obama to reverse a perception that he neglected India during his recent trip to Asia and seemed to endorse a stronger role for China in India's sensitive dealings with Pakistan.

Obama wants to re-establish the strong feelings of goodwill the countries enjoyed during George W. Bush's presidency. Bush is credited with transforming the relationship after decades of Cold War-era distrust.

Victor · Post by **Victor** » 24 Nov 2009 23:02

Glad that this was pointed out by Dr. Singh on US soil for all to reflect on:

And I am confident our growth is, unlike China, not dependent on external stimulants. Our growth is largely fueled by our domestic demand.

It sends a very important message as the US sorts out its short and long term priorities.

Jarita · Post by **Jarita** » 24 Nov 2009 23:03

Mort Walker wrote:
Their goals and ours dont align at all, and wont align till US sufficiently agrees to cede the control of Near west to Java back to Indians.
Or at least until US-India trade is 1/3 of the US-China trade.

I also fear that Indian babus and media will fall for all the flattery. They really need to keep the big picture and real issues in mind.
This occasion reminds me of the "slobbering over the old hag" episode

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 24 Nov 2009 23:04

Mort Walker wrote:Sometimes pictures are a thousand words, and look at Ombaba, Biden and Clinton's expressions. The look is one of humor and the guests will be the butt of jokes later.

Well (and no one ever called me a admirer of Shri Singh) while looking at the press conference, Ombaba looks as if he has swallowed something not very nice, and Manmohan Singh seems unperturbed as if thinking of clause 12 of 4 section of 5 plan of........

This is not what I was expecting. This is not the MMS of S e S.

Something has happened.

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 24 Nov 2009 23:06

Sanku wrote:Their goals and ours dont align at all, and wont align till US sufficiently agrees to cede the control of Near west to Java back to Indians.

Sanku ji: You are making the same mistake that several people here, often, make - i.e. expecting Unkil to do this or that for the sake of India. It is not in US rashtra dharma to cede the control; its is ofcourse India's rashtra dharma to snatch the control. If Unkil thinks that it can not manage the said region on his own, then it is essential that they will look for partners. India will not be made partner because we were great in the past or now emerging slowly to our potential. Desh aur desh ki neta should stand up only then they will get noticed. Be it the animal kingdom or the field of statecraft the Strong recognizes the Strong.

But will anyone do, if desh ki neta decides to re-align desh ki goals to aling with Unkil's goals?

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 24 Nov 2009 23:08

Mort Walker wrote:Thanks NRao.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/2 ... 68894.html

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[image of PYT in saree behind HRC was here]

Who is that PYT in saree in DoS ?