India-US Relations : News and Discussion

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 04 Feb 2015 19:57

matrimc and shreeman, Guys don't do this. We have Off Topic and nukkad for all general discussions. When senior members indulge in OT posts it leads to a slippery slope requiring Admin clean up. Its so pervasive that we have about given up on clean up.

In the GDF we have a thread to discuss the trends that forum is showing. Some need correction.

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 04 Feb 2015 22:19

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL6Wh6Fi_OA

Al Jazeera debate on Obama visit - observe the Sourav Roy guy. Almost certain Chinese lifafa. Need to keep an eye on him.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 04 Feb 2015 22:32

writes for HuffPo.

svenkat wrote:Jayant Sinhas tweets

https://twitter.com/ibnlive/status/559255080143044608

I find it difficult to figure out where India ends & US begins. Such is our relationship:
https://twitter.com/jayantsinha
Incredible Super Bowl win for the New England Patriots! Justice for them after losing two. I had discussed this with President Obama

Wonderful to spend time chatting with President Obama @BarackObama and discussing snowfall in Boston!

The President gave a moving speech featuring the hymn Abide With Me.
What a young confident MoS.

sounds sycophantic to me.

Vayutuvan · Post by **Vayutuvan** » 04 Feb 2015 23:27

ramana: sorry. just got carried away.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 04 Feb 2015 23:36

Sure no problem.

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 05 Feb 2015 01:29

In Forbes: (Feb 2015)
Nuclear Options - Obama In India

India is dramatically expanding its nuclear energy and its nuclear weapons – separately. Both are inevitable.

On the energy side, President Barack Obama and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached an agreement that will open the door to the sale of U.S. nuclear power plants and nuclear industry support to India, a step that could rejuvenate the American nuclear industry like nothing has in a long time. (Reuters).

There were other mutually-critical areas discussed by the two leaders during the President’s trip in addition to nuclear:

- Defense: developing cooperation through the Defense Trade and Technology Initiative (Business Standard),

- Counterterrorism: cooperating on anti-terrorism and homeland security,

- Economic ties: through increased trade and investment, especially in infrastructure,

- Climate change and clean energy: the two countries are developing a Partnership to Advance Clean Energy, in addition to nuclear.

But the nuclear deal was the big one. When India developed their own atomic weapons in the 1970s, the relationship between America and India became rocky, to say the least. But nuclear energy is a huge part of India’s energy future, as a way to bring hundreds of millions of people up into the middle class without increasing the use of coal. Therefore, it was in the best interest of both countries to find a way to address the nuclear issues.

India needs 3 trillion kWhs per year of electricity to bring its people out of poverty and into the middle class. Nuclear power will be a major part of this growth. Shown here are the new nuclear power plants expected to be constructed in the next 20 years. Even more are planned by 2050. Source: World Nuclear Association.
India needs 3 trillion kWhs per year of electricity to bring its people out of poverty and into the middle class. Nuclear power will be a major part of this growth. Shown here are the new nuclear power plants expected to be constructed in the next 20 years. Even more are planned by 2050. Source: World Nuclear Association.

India’s nuclear industry is largely indigenous and relies mainly on small pressurized heavy-water reactors. The country rejected the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and was subsequently excluded from international nuclear trade as a result of the lack of safeguards brought in under the treaty by other countries.

This issue was corrected outside the non-proliferation treaty, and India was then able to buy uranium, nuclear fuel and services on the open market. As a result, the existing nuclear power plants in the country have attained record performance. The time is ripe for outside investment in nuclear and this agreement could not have come at a better time.

Over the next 25 years, India needs to raise about 800 million people up out of poverty by producing 3 trillion kWhs of electricity per year. That means India must triple its present power production by 2040. They plan on nuclear power to supply a considerable portion, as much as a third. And they want the United States to be a major contributor to this effort.

In particular, the nuclear agreement reached between Obama and Modi solved a six-year stalemate over India’s nuclear liability law that shut American nuclear firms out of the Indian market (Hindustan Times).

Under global norms, the primary liability lies with the power plant operator, but all nuclear power plants in India are run by the government-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL).

So India’s law made foreign equipment suppliers responsible for any future accidents.

That was not acceptable to foreign companies, especially in France and the United States, so the new plan stipulates that insurance is bought by the companies contracted to build the nuclear reactors who would then recoup the cost by charging more for their services. Thisoutcome was predicted by Neutron Byteslast fall.

Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said the new arrangement doesn’t require the nation to weaken its strict liability laws to which U.S. companies have objected in the past(Times of India, RT of Russia).

What is the size of the commercial nuclear market in India that this agreement opens up to American firms?

Six new reactors are under construction in India, and 40 more are planned. In just the next 20 years, India expects to increase its present nuclear fleet from 21 reactors, producing 5 GWe, to over 60 reactors producing 40 GWe (see figure above).

However, 100 reactors are planned by mid-century to produce the better part of a trillion kWhs per year. This represents almost a trillion dollars in likely nuclear builds and related industries. Competition for this market is fierce among the U.S., French, Russian, and South Korean nuclear companies, but the U.S. still does nuclear better than all the rest, and India has wanted to work with us for a long time.

Dr. Nachiketa Das, Professor of Geology at Ravenshaw University of Cuttack in India, feels that the Indo-U.S. Nuclear Deal signed by President Obama and Prime Minister Modi “will provide the much needed legitimacy to the entire nuclear establishment of India on the world stage.” Which translates into a big expansion of nuclear activity with many international partners. Having worked in uranium geochemistry to clean-up of Fukushima, Professor Das even predicts that India will close the entire Nuclear Fuel Cycle.

The push to expand nuclear five-fold in India comes from coal still being the king, providing over 70% of the country’s electricity. Instead of building 500 new coal-fired power plants, India wants to build 100 new nuclear power plants. The government’s plan is ambitious but doable, especially with United States’ assistance.

At the same time, nuclear weapons are growing in India. Expansion of China’s nuclear weapons program, particularly the development of multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) has stimulated India to do the same. Which has gottenPakistan all nervous. Throw in Russia’s fear of losing its nuclear edge over China, and the Asian continent could become an even more dangerous place (The 5 Most Dangerous Nuclear Threats No One Is Talking About; India’s Mobile Nuclear Launchers).

Increasing the standard of living in the world is the only way to reduce poverty and its evil stepchildren, war and terrorism. So expanding nuclear and all other forms of energy, is also a way to decrease tensions. But everyone has to benefit.

It will take some smart diplomacy, especially on the part of the United States, to pull this off without blowing up the whole continent.

That’s why the invitation to President Obama to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations was a truly historic event (Brookings). Being the chief guest is one of the most significant honors that India can bestow on any foreign leader, and it presages a closer relationship between the two countries.

Something the jostling pool of 2016 candidates needs to understand.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 05 Feb 2015 04:26

Who is this Dr. Nachiketa Das of Ravenshaw Uty in Cuttack, Odissa? What is his expertise? Looks like Geology.

I guess it relates to ore, mining, extraction, weaponization, fuel cycle all in one.

Not questioning but surprised to her a new name.

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 05 Feb 2015 04:30

http://odissi.blogspot.de/2008/02/dr-nachiketa-das.html

Bio claims he is "dual citizen" of australia & india, which is bogus, since India does not allow dual citizenship -- he is an australian citizen. Must be familiar with U mining in Oz.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 05 Feb 2015 06:07

from Amber G's linked link:

http://nationalinterest.org/feature/the ... bout-12160
As we witnessed during the Cold War, the introduction of MIRVed missiles greatly destabilizes nuclear balances, by making nuclear arsenals more susceptible to being destroyed by an enemy first strike. Compensating for this greater danger requires states to build more nuclear weapons and disperse them to more and more places. This will be especially true for India and China, which have maintained extremely small nuclear arsenals relative to the U.S. and Russia.

what stupidity! an NFU MaRV from India means, Indian cities are decimated and Indian Kali is angry to destroy the enemy. what is the point in disbursement for a second strike? they might only return home (if at all) to see destruction of infrastructure and living things. a disbursement strategy is what India would do.. deep, and undetected to deliver assured second strike.

the world soon would look at ahimsa as the model instead of MAD and NFU.

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 05 Feb 2015 06:20

Less or more are what they call -- adjectives/adverbs. Does anyone know the total? Is there a limit or even a toal number that is known? Is anyone not building missiles or warheads? Have the factories stopped producing the raads?

The challenge is while the "world" is comfortable with two dozen paki bumbs, 2000 becomes a problem. Even for china. And any encouragement needed to get it up there is necessary, imho. Once they reach a threshold where every hut and cave has a bum in it, the disarmament will start via "lethal assistance". Until thrn, its equal equal and indias problem alone.

svenkat · Post by **svenkat** » 05 Feb 2015 07:00

Rahul M wrote: sounds sycophantic to me.

That was meant to be .....

Pulikeshi · Post by **Pulikeshi** » 05 Feb 2015 11:00

JE Menon wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL6Wh6Fi_OA
observe the Sourav Roy guy. Almost certain Chinese lifafa....

Thanks for the link - that Roy dude seemed to just present a ideological point, nay rant!
Just curious - where is Singapore in this balance of Asia business?

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 05 Feb 2015 11:07

pankajs wrote:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 116890.cms
India a fundamental provider of security and economic growth: White House - PTI via ET
WASHINGTON: A day after President Barack Obama unveiled his annual budget, giving a new thrust to the Asia Pacific re-balance, the White House has said it sees India as a "fundamental provider" of security and economic growth across the region.

So, we are just a "service provider" now?? presumably with a separate service entrance and all??

yes massa.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 05 Feb 2015 11:12

From twitter

Here is how US NSC's Senior Director clarified Obama's comments misinterpreted by Indian media -(as usual)

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 05 Feb 2015 21:09

Shreeman, India would never tell in numbers but only perhaps in response. That is the crux of NFU deterrence. We can't do a quantitative projection from both mil and strategic perspective. Once we do it, we become MADly equated that we don't want.

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 05 Feb 2015 22:18

https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/02/04/su ... ationship/

Article on the US-India relations -- has the usual bromides but does not mention QUAD or QUAD+ and adds the usual "I am not calling you a pimp but you should reduce the price of your women" kinda views on India and the toilet bowl terrorist nation to the west.

t is important to find common ground looking West as well. Without in any way re-hyphenating Washington’s relationships with India and Pakistan, the United States should work with New Delhi to find ways to reduce Indo-Pakistani tensions, support mutual goals in Afghanistan, jointly counter violent extremist threats, and minimize the risk of conflict between the two nuclear-armed states.

Who the eff are these strat-e-geric mofos in the Pentagon to pretend India needs to find "common ground" with terrorists that they are funding to the tune of billions of $s? Maybe they should first clean up all the dog vomit the US "strategic community" and CIA has created in Syria and Ukraine before advising India on how it needs to deal with terrorist nations in its neighbourhood.

Joshua White another exbert from the Stimson Center -- that wonderful institution that produced non proliferation Ayotollahs like Michael Krepon and the rest of the turds in armscontrolwonk.com, so this cr@p is on expected lines.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 05 Feb 2015 22:44

Speaking of Krapon, here's another article that came out today.
http://krepon.armscontrolwonk.com/archi ... #more-5170

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 05 Feb 2015 22:55

The absence of dialogue diminishes India. Another attack against India by the LeT or another group finding sanctuary within Pakistan will further diminish Pakistan.

"Absence of dialogue diminshes India" according to this NPA Krepon -- perhaps one of these days he can explain himself, but we already know why he says that. This tool, like the rest of the Amreekan mofos think that flattery will do the job on today's Indians like in the past...keep trying your old stunts boys.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 05 Feb 2015 23:17

perhaps he meant to crap: 'absence of dialogue with India, diminishes anyone'

Vamsee · Post by **Vamsee** » 05 Feb 2015 23:29

What Obama said in India were not innocent comments. It is a warning to Modi Govt not to interfere in religious conversions.

Religious intolerance in India would have shocked Gandhi: Obama

"Michelle and I returned from India - an incredible, beautiful country, full of magnificent diversity - but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs -- acts of intolerance that would have shocked Gandhiji, the person who helped to liberate that nation," Obama said in his remarks at the high-profile National Prayer Breakfast.

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 05 Feb 2015 23:33

but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs

This can also be construed as referring to all the muslim riots when hindus took a procession in their neighbourhood -- no need to get all worked about it and pretend he was talking only about hindus....raises the whole "if you aren't guilty why are you so worked up about it" argument.

It is pretty clear that the John Dayal types are actively spreading this disinformation with a political agenda (helps only the INC..or rather does not help the ruling govt.)

http://www.outlookindia.com/news/articl ... ers/880355

The Christian leaders, including John Dayal, Jenis Francis, A C Michael and Vijayesh Lal, alleged that the violence peaked between August and October 2014 with 56 cases and there were 25 cases reported during Christmas season.

The evangelists are deliberately being obtuse as to which communities were victims in the N cases, and do not provide comparative figures to support their claims, which are false. John Dayal recently appeared before a congressional committee in the US to repeat such claims to the US govt. -- JD fits the textbook definition of an agent provocateur pushing evangelical interests -- much like your average mullah who benefits from creating animosity between muslims and others.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 05 Feb 2015 23:38

I think US is on a declining power mode when all sorts of American experts push for US to prop up India against China.

IOW, US is now reduced to playing balance of power in Asia grand strategy just as England did in Europe.

Now all India has to do is wait and watch as China expands and self contains. Not in our life time but definitely in this century.

Asia is not Europe.

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 05 Feb 2015 23:52

I think he is talking about Kashmiri Pandits.
link

Who were they to throw them out of their homeland? Calling them kafirs and making death announcements over speakers; asking them to choose between bullets and their homeland, their sweet homes, their temples, their birthplace, their beautiful memories of a lifetime.

In fact, a US ambassador to India was known to push paki views in India, and coordinated various secessionist bunched up as Hurriyat.

From Robin Raphel: “goddess of Indian terrorists, secessionists and other outlaws”

Robin - Raphel

she was actively interacting with the various anti-India groups in Jammu & Kashmir and it was reportedly on her advice that the Hurriyat, as an umbrella organization of these groups, became very active.

It was during her tenure as the Assistant Secretary of State that the Clinton Administration declared Jammu & Kashmir as a “disputed territory” and started calling for the resolution of the dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people. This refrain has once again been taken up by the Obama Administration.
..
Even after she left the State Department and joined the faculty of the National Defence University, she reportedly maintained active contacts with anti-India elements in J&K.

She may have contacts even with Taliban! link

As far as Gandhiji's views are concerned, there are many articles on his views about conversion.
link 1
link 2

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 06 Feb 2015 00:26

I would refer to her as Godmother of Kashmiri terrorshits.

Vayutuvan · Post by **Vayutuvan** » 06 Feb 2015 01:13

svenkat wrote:
Rahul M wrote: sounds sycophantic to me.
That was meant to be .....

I think it is more of a message in the vein of "We do have US watchers as high ranking ministers who advise our PM. They know all the positive things about the US as well all the negatives too. If the US starts acting too uppity, we can publicize the negatives too". President Obama's "Religious Tolerance" has been re-interpreted now by both Ambassador Verma and another official.

Reminds me of the dialog between Ryan and Ramius when Mancosu and team board "Red October" in the movie "Hunt for Red October".

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 06 Feb 2015 01:29

SaiK wrote:Shreeman, India would never tell in numbers but only perhaps in response. That is the crux of NFU deterrence. We can't do a quantitative projection from both mil and strategic perspective. Once we do it, we become MADly equated that we don't want.

SaiK,

This is sort of the point.

You cant be asking for a reduction, expansion, polisHing, anything when there arent any declared number. The eunuchs of world politics cant get a number out of any of the non signatories. Pakistan, by the way, will sell their mother and give up the jewels when push really comes to shove and the pantry is really empty. Israel wouldnt.

There is no point in preaching to anyone in India non-proliferation, NFU, or MAD. There are several bigger cases, basket cases ahead. So the is pure defense-of-my-employment debate. Only irritating to Indians, never seen or read by anyone else.

The whole "I am more nuclear than you" is the same as "I am more green than you" and will be greener still tomorrow.

Seperately,

Re. Obama, he needs to handle things with a little bit more care if he wants to stay away from religious conversion agenda. Once was a mistake, twice isnt. Kerry would hate to see an Indian partnership with US, and so would the republican head haunchos. So if he is planning anything institutional with India, he needs to lay off religion. Its never been Hussains cup of tea from day 1. Plenty of ways to pray without calling people names.

The religious business is quickly becoming "we need more religion" in the US. Frankly, I hate it. Personally I am going to start handing freeze dried pasta hats to the next idiot who comes to the door with a bible. My books cost money.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 06 Feb 2015 02:32

The only way to finesse in bridge is by knowing your friendly cards with good protocol. even there, one can't open about anything bare. there is no game then.. the trick is to make them commit mistakes.

and om baba or someone in the future will... if not, we have to set it up

, unfortunately in such games.

India's entry to UNSC can't be driven by just numbers alone.. then, we have to ask for nth intercept in the quadratic equations game, with maal, delivery options, profiles, roles, treaties, etc in the power projections. I don't think we have our equations derived yet, and we want to make this as slow as possible. But, the world want us madly in so that they can ensure we don't have the equations done for few of the directions we want to establish.

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 06 Feb 2015 02:58

Shreeman wrote:...
The religious business is quickly becoming "we need more religion" in the US. Frankly, I hate it. Personally I am going to start handing freeze dried pasta hats to the next idiot who comes to the door with a bible. My books cost money.

Keep in mind that our hysterical media is determined to find something anything to hit Modi with. I agree that Obama should steer clear of this conversion issue. It can derail the partnership. He has not said anything in PRC about religion or in KSA/Israel for that matter. So, even if his remarks were amplified out of context by our media, the danger remains that it will raise hackles among many in India.

The evanjehadis see India as the last big pool of souls to harvest. Particularly since Hinduism is not a proselytizing religion. The Ghar Wapsi stuff has put them on the backfoot. For their part, the RSS et al ought not to connect Ghar Wapsi with the demand to bring an anti conversion law. They should offer the same kind of incentives the EJs do (schools, networking, community). They can win the battle for minds in a more enduring way. Currently, the GW stuff just seems a pressure tactic to bring an AC law and that is self defeating in PR terms.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 06 Feb 2015 03:52

what can cause the khujli to amir khans would be a ghar wapsi program subsidy linked via aadhar.

.. well put in under 'organic farming bill' !

amir khans protect their farmers to the core. they will send raptors too for their farm protection. we should do the same.

Vayutuvan · Post by **Vayutuvan** » 06 Feb 2015 05:03

SaiK: When Dr. Vandana Shiva says something similar she is termed a traitor, extreme left, dirty hippie and the like. She may not be dyed in the wool hardcore high-IQ liberal RW and not right (IMHO most times), she has a point on matters of opensource seed banks. Yes, either she was a member or was supporting the extra-constitutional NAC and members but then her PhD is earned not casua honoris.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 06 Feb 2015 06:36

is it because of non-local hidden quantum variable?

but heck, that is a wonderful concept and strategic here too.

arshyam · Post by **arshyam** » 06 Feb 2015 06:55

Vamsee wrote:What Obama said in India were not innocent comments. It is a warning to Modi Govt not to interfere in religious conversions.

Religious intolerance in India would have shocked Gandhi: Obama

"Michelle and I returned from India - an incredible, beautiful country, full of magnificent diversity - but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs -- acts of intolerance that would have shocked Gandhiji, the person who helped to liberate that nation," Obama said in his remarks at the high-profile National Prayer Breakfast.

Agreed. What's that saying about 'fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...'. Posters here want everyone to believe that Ombaba was well meaning onlee, was calling out a warning to all communities onlee; it was not a warning to Modi onlee, question is: where else and how many times has he uttered such statements in his 2 terms?

Tuvaluan wrote:
but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs
This can also be construed as referring to all the muslim riots when hindus took a procession in their neighbourhood -- no need to get all worked about it and pretend he was talking only about hindus....raises the whole "if you aren't guilty why are you so worked up about it" argument.

Somehow I am not very convinced by that, especially given friendly commentary from the beltway in the past (USCRIF, etc.). As for getting worked up, one can criticize something without getting worked up, right? Fact is, Ombaba did give a gratuitous comment before leaving, and is now talking about it again - and this is a guy who is known to measure his words when speaking publicly.

svenkat · Post by **svenkat** » 06 Feb 2015 07:02

matrimcji,
imho you are finding merit in someone who is pretty ordinary.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 06 Feb 2015 07:05

Vamsee wrote:What Obama said in India were not innocent comments. It is a warning to Modi Govt not to interfere in religious conversions.

Religious intolerance in India would have shocked Gandhi: Obama

"Michelle and I returned from India - an incredible, beautiful country, full of magnificent diversity - but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs -- acts of intolerance that would have shocked Gandhiji, the person who helped to liberate that nation," Obama said in his remarks at the high-profile National Prayer Breakfast.

1. All kinds of religious faiths survived & flourished in India only because of Hindu pluralistic foundations of Bharat & nothing else.

2. Quoting India's National Security Adviser Sri Doval (refer his speech in Kashmir) There is no indic heritage & beliefs that Islam & Christianity can claim. "The cultural & civilizational heritage of India belongs to Hindus and Hindus alone". So if there is any damage to native heritage & culture it is an onslaught by non-Indic faiths on Hindu heritage & culture.

3. Gandhiji, if alive, will be shocked to see how Pakistan & Bangladesh evolved over past 60 years and will repent his experiments with truth vis.a.vis Hinduism.

member_22733 · Post by **member_22733** » 06 Feb 2015 07:34

Ombaba should look up what Gandhi thought of Black South Africans.

Vayutuvan · Post by **Vayutuvan** » 06 Feb 2015 07:38

Svenkat Saar: vandana shiva is a woman. Are you referring to another post of mine?

svenkat · Post by **svenkat** » 06 Feb 2015 07:44

Replying in OT thread.

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 06 Feb 2015 08:19

Thats like reports of Digvijay Singh going to temples or Lalloo distributing laddoos or Leela Samson saying "I too am a Hindoo".

Have to admit looks like KP Nayars analysis of Obama was spot on.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 06 Feb 2015 08:21

arshyam wrote:
Vamsee wrote:What Obama said in India were not innocent comments. It is a warning to Modi Govt not to interfere in religious conversions.

Religious intolerance in India would have shocked Gandhi: Obama

{quote}"Michelle and I returned from India - an incredible, beautiful country, full of magnificent diversity - but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs -- acts of intolerance that would have shocked Gandhiji, the person who helped to liberate that nation," Obama said in his remarks at the high-profile National Prayer Breakfast.{/quote}
Agreed. What's that saying about 'fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...'. Posters here want everyone to believe that Ombaba was well meaning onlee, was calling out a warning to all communities onlee; it was not a warning to Modi onlee, question is: where else and how many times has he uttered such statements in his 2 terms?

Tuvaluan wrote:{quote}
but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs
{/quote}

This can also be construed as referring to all the muslim riots when hindus took a procession in their neighbourhood -- no need to get all worked about it and pretend he was talking only about hindus....raises the whole "if you aren't guilty why are you so worked up about it" argument.
Somehow I am not very convinced by that, especially given friendly commentary from the beltway in the past (USCRIF, etc.). As for getting worked up, one can criticize something without getting worked up, right? Fact is, Ombaba did give a gratuitous comment before leaving, and is now talking about it again - and this is a guy who is known to measure his words when speaking publicly.

I agree with you. If it walks like a duck etc........

This guy is being pushed or is placating the extreme right in the US. In any case, his comments are unwarranted and uncalled for especially just before the dilli elections. He definitely has an agenda. His comments in India were extremely ungrateful, in very bad taste and unbecoming of an honored guest and now the follow up comments in the US is not a mere coincidence. The white house well knows how the comments would be reported in the Indian DDM media.

The USCRIF lot do not want a powerful NaMo govt in India. They want khujiliwal to win and consolidate an orchestrated and controlled opposition on the lines of the ford foundation agenda.

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 06 Feb 2015 08:49

The point is that whatever cr@p Obama wants to spout can be read in a manner convenient to us and explicitly stated as such -- why start wailing that he is talking about hindus when they are hardly the only ones who are getting all aggressive about their "faith" and rearing for a fight? Yes, there are more hindus than muslims or xtians in India, so what is Obama going to do about it, personally contribute to the xtian population in India or just create a racket that hindus are hatemongers without saying so? He is welcome to do either, but that will not win any friends for the US in India now or ever.

What the eff can USCIRF do other than write annual reports that can double as toilet paper, and have no effect on the ground in India? As the PM said, Obama was invited to do business, and he is welcome to do business, and as for the rest of that mofo's unsolicited views about India and Indians, he can shove them up some cool, dry place. Seriously, WTF can USCIRF or any foreign organization do to influence votes in Delhi? If the Delhiites are stupid enough to vote the lying tool Kejriwal back to power, they deserve all the misery headed their way, but that will happen regardless of whether or not the USCIRF writes a report on religious freedom in India. The worst the USCIRF can do is get the John Dayal and evangelicals to create a furore before the election to influence it, but the likes of John Dayal have been doing that for a decade now with no results to show. Why all this insecurity?