On air: India, America and your many questions
| 09:49 UK time, Monday, 8 November 2010
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This topics was discussed on World Have Your Say on Monday 8 November 2010. Listen to the programme. We talked over a number of issues that are clearly being raised by President Obama's visit to India. At first we looked to choose one over the other, but in the end we decided we should touch on them all. So here they are... 1. Where does the balance of power lie between these two countries? 2. Do relations warrant being called a 'defining' relationship for this century? 3. Should President Obama offer more criticism of Pakistan? And should India refuse such an extensive trade relationship with the US, while American support for Pakistan continues? 4. What, if anything, does the out-sourcing of jobs tells us about the relative strengths of the two countries' economies and their leaders? 5. Is President Obama right to support India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council? That should keep us going for the hour
KRUPA'S ORIGINAL POST
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Twinkle toed President Obama might need to to impress his Indian audience. His usual oratory flair has become cause for suspicion during his trip to the subcontinent. And here's why: he's friends with the enemy.
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Posting on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Soutik Biswas's blog, Chinmay_BVB_Dort comments,
'For Indians 'very important strategic partner in USA's international policy' has no meaning ! What's more meaningful (and highly unlikely to happen) is to 'officially' declare Pakistan a terrorist nation, explain why USA is giving $2bn military aid to 'rogue' elements and when will the strategically important' partnership translate into permanent membership in UN security counsel. Everything else will be just an entertainment program for Diwali vacations!'
Dancing aside, Mr. Obama .
"We want nothing more than a stable, prosperous and peaceful Pakistan...it may be surprising to some of you to hear me say this, but I am absolutely convinced that the country that has the biggest stake in Pakistan's success is India."
He's right on one thing -ÌýIndians need convincing.
highlights how Pakistan has always been tied to America's security and strategic goals and how generosity towards its ally in the War on Terror shows no limits; the money has disappeared, much of it towards militarising Pakistan's border with India.
Yet amidst the emerging pessimism, India and US have announced $10bn worth of new trade deals. As Indian defense analyst Ìýthe relationship between India and the United States is the one to watch.
"If America needs a partner, Europe is aging, Japan is aging and China is going to age," he said. "The only two major nations in the world who will not be aging, at least for the next 30 years, are the United States and India."
But how far will India need to compromise in this relationship? Somrup Pal in Bangalore is bewildered by the 'needless appreciation for Obama in India all over Facebook' and posts,
'Why do we forget that Uncle (Obama) is here to save his own back by clinching mega deals and taking back "JOBS" . Uncle doesn't care about our Pakistan concern, donates weapons and funds for Islamic extremism in the name of the war on terror.'And on the subject of jobs, CelticWombat in Mississippi tweets: President Obama concludes his goodwill tour of India today. Now if he could just find the will to bring back all of our good jobs with him.
What's clear is that .Some crave more attention from the US, whilst others worry about getting too close to Washington.Ìý So who needs who more? The Hindu writes that expectations from India of Obama have been
'The United States and India do not share the same interests on key issues and their politicians will irritate each other when they let electoral pressures impede compromise. Building a lasting, productive relationship will thus require both countries to better balance their parochial priorities with the need to meet bigger global challenges.'
Does and should business come before security? Or does the US need to chose whose side it's on?
