Obama india visit

[Sir john]

whole world have eye on this visit, can we get a permanent seat at security council. :nervous::nervous:

[Sir john]

Obama visit short on substance Experts call for commitment on UNSC permanent seat for India Barack Obama’s mother instilled in him from a very early age an interest in other cultures. An anthropologist, Stanley Ann Dunham had worked in India and it was only natural that one of the cultures and traditions her son would learn about would be Indian. “Throughout my life, I have always looked to Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration, because he embodies the kind of transformational change that can be made when ordinary people come together to do extraordinary things,” Obama told this correspondent when he was just a Democratic senator from Illinois running on a message of change for the highest office in the USA. Obama’s abiding interest in Gandhi is reflected in his itinerary while in India. Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive in Mumbai on November 6. Their stay there will be marked by a visit to the Gandhi museum. In New Delhi, they will pay their respects to the Father of the Nation at Raj Ghat. Obama’s trip is the first in many years by an American President to India in his first term. His two immediate predecessors — Bill Clinton and George W. Bush — visited India in their second terms in office. Clinton’s visit, which took place in the twilight of his presidency, was high on symbolism. It was the first visit by an American President to India in more than two decades. Jimmy Carter was the last to visit India in January 1978. Bush’s visit, on the other hand, was loaded with substance. His administration removed perhaps the biggest thorn in the US-India relationship by offering New Delhi a civil-nuclear agreement. The comparisons are inevitable. Will Obama’s visit be Clinton 2.0, with symbolism trumping substance, or Bush 2.0? Much will depend on what the President packs in his VIP luggage.For it to count as a success as far as substance goes, Obama will need to pack some deliverables. While there is no equivalent of a relationship-boosting nuclear deal on the horizon, New Delhi has been dropping heavy hints for a US endorsement of its bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Also, the continued presence of Indian companies on an Entities List has been viewed as an obstacle to US-India trade as the transfer of sensitive high-technology to these blacklisted firms is prohibited under US law. The Obama administration is conducting a review of the US export control regime and this is one area where India may find something to cheer when Obama visits. Back in America, it is the state of the economy and the high rate of unemployment that has dominated the political discourse. While Obama’s references to Bangalore in the outsourcing debate and promises of tax incentives to firms that create jobs in the U.S. have been viewed by some in India as the beginning of protectionism, others see in the President’s comments a purely political compulsion to favour job creation in a sagging economy. “I see it has political pandering on the eve of the November elections,” said Sumit Ganguly, a visiting fellow at Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi. “I think that the President is far too intelligent a man to believe that U.S. economic woes are a direct result of outsourcing,” he added. The U.S. is a key trading partner for India. The total trade for the period of January to July this year stood at $27.96 billion. Two-way trade in services has also shown a steady growth. Indian companies are present in 35 of the 50 US states and have done their bit to boost the U.S. economy and create jobs. About 239 Indian firms have invested $21 billion in the U.S. through 267 acquisitions between 2004 and 2009. These have been spread over manufacturing, IT, biotechnology, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications. In fact, many Americans are unaware of the extent of such activity. An Indian official recalled how she received a confused look when she congratulated a friend who had purchased a Jaguar for buying an ‘Indian’ car. Jaguar was acquired by Tata in 2008. The U.S.-India relationship has been eclipsed by the Obama administration’s preoccupation with a recession at home, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and international crises that span Pakistan, Iran and North Korea. Candidates from Obama’s Democratic Party face the prospect of humiliating defeats in mid-term elections on Tuesday. The outcome of that vote could see the Democrats losing control of the House of Representatives and perhaps even the Senate. The fact that Obama’s visit to India takes place in this backdrop explains the lack of American media attention to the trip. But U.S. officials insist India is a priority for the President. Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser for strategic communication, described India as an “indispensable partner in the 21st century.” In a town riven by partisan politics, the importance of the U.S. relationship with India is one issue politicians on both sides of the aisle agree on. Successive U.S. administrations - Republican as well as Democratic - have sought to nurture this relationship. William Burns, Under Secretary of state for political affairs, said the “U.S.-India partnership for a number of years has been a genuine bipartisan priority in Washington -- the same is true in India.” He added, “Over the last decade through three administrations of both of our parties and two Indian governments of different parties, we’ve transformed the relationship.” A vibrant and influential Indian-American community also deserves much credit for strengthening the bonds that hold the U.S.-India relationship together.Some analysts say the problem lies not in the USA but in India where divergent political views are forced together in a coalition government. Richard Fontaine, senior fellow at the Centre for a New American Security, says U.S. domestic politics are not a drag on the relationship. In fact, he added, “I see broad bipartisan support for a strong U.S.-India relationship.” In India, on the other hand, Fontaine said the confluence of domestic politics that produced a nuclear liability law that is viewed in Washington as an obstacle to nuclear commerce is a "real problem." At the end of the day, personal chemistry plays a large part in determining the success of any relationship. U.S. and Indian officials say Obama has gone out of his way to build a strong personal relationship with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh - the President frequently turns to the Prime Minister for advice on matters concerning the global economy. He even hosted his administration’s first state dinner for Manmohan Singh last November. In his toast at that dinner, Obama raised his glass to realising “all the triumphs and achievements that await us.” Many here in Washington believe the President’s visit to India will be one such triumph. What India expects l New Delhi has been dropping heavy hints for a US endorsement of its bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. l The Obama administration is conducting a review of the US export control regime and this is one area where India may find something to cheer. What eclipses the ties The US-India relationship has been eclipsed by the Obama administration’s preoccupation with a recession at home, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and international crises that span Pakistan, Iran and North Korea. Past presidential visits Dwight D. Eisenhower (December 1959) Richard Nixon (July 1969) Jimmy Carter (January 1978) Bill Clinton (March 2000) George Bush (March 2006)

[Clarke]

:fail:

[Ram]

Very significant visit. Our Prime Minister was the first head-of-state to be hosted in a State dinner. Now, Obama has chosen India as his destination of his first major visit outside the Americas. More importantly, what separates this visit from the previous ones that he isn’t clubbing this visit with a trip to Pakistan (I think), clearly suggesting that the State Department is clearly delineating their relations b/w India and Pakistan. Don’t follow the Indian news much these days, but am pretty sure they’re right now holding mid-night orgies, going crazy over every single detail of the presidential entourage like the Secret service, the Limo etc.. But from an American standpoint, this visit will probably be overshadowed by the Democratic reversal in the house and senate during tomorrow’s mid-term election.

[Clarke]

Very significant visit. Our Prime Minister was the first head-of-state to be hosted in a State dinner. Now' date=' Obama has chosen [u']India as his destination of his first major visit outside the Americas.

Am i missing something here ? This is from last yr.

[seedhi]

Very significant visit. Our Prime Minister was the first head-of-state to be hosted in a State dinner. Now' date= Obama has chosen India as his destination of his first major visit outside the Americas.

Err .. Obama visited China almost a year ago in 2009.

[Ram]

Am i missing something here ? This is from last yr.

Err .. Obama visited China almost a year ago in 2009.

My bad guys.. I should have said ‘One of his first major visits outside the Americas..’

[kumble_rocks]

Sangh Parivar not happy with this visit. What's up with these Hindutvas !

[yoda]

Sangh Parivar not happy with this visit. What's up with these Hindutvas !

http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/nov/02/obama-visit-sikhs-protest-at-un-ahead-of.htm And we all know what the Muslims think of him. So that essentially covers them all. :hehe:

[yoda]

For KR: Arun Jaitley on Indo-US ties and Obama's visit. http://www.rediff.com/news/special/arun-jaitley-on-what-bjp-expects-of-obama/20101029.htm

[Sachinism]

Coconuts removed in India ahead of Obama visit The authorities in the Indian city of Mumbai have taken extraordinary measures to protect President Obama ahead of his visit. In their effort to provide maximum security in the run-up to his visit on Friday, they have removed coconuts which may fall on his head from trees. All coconuts around the city's Gandhi museum have now been cut down, an official told the BBC. Every year in India people are injured or even killed by falling coconuts. 'Why take a chance?' Mani Bhavan, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his freedom struggle against the British, is among five places the US President is visiting apart from a school, college and hotels attacked by Islamic militants in 2008. "We told the authorities to remove the dry coconuts from trees near the building. Why take a chance?" Mani Bhavan Executive Secretary Meghshyam Ajgaonkar told the BBC. Mahatma Gandhi has been cited by the president as an inspiration to him - he has a portrait of the independence leader in his senate office. President Obama once famously said that he would like to have dinner with Mr Gandhi. Heavy security arrangements and preparations are going on in the city which also celebrates the religious festival of lights, Diwali, during the president's visit. Mani Bhavan is a two-storey building in south Mumbai, housing a museum, a research centre and a room where Mahatma Gandhi stayed. Today it is a tourist attraction. Mr Ajgaonkar said the building was ready to receive the president and had been recently painted and renovated. It will be closed on 5 and 6 November for security reasons. Last week American security officers inspected Mani Bhavan and its surroundings along with other places the president is likely to visit. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11684382 :|

[Sir john]

obama car cost 150 crores and our pm car cost only 25 lakh.:woot:

[SachDan]

US to spend Rs 900 cr a day on Obama's Mumbai visit Press Trust of India / Mumbai November 02, 2010, 21:26 IST The US would be spending a whopping $200 million (about Rs 900 crore) per day on President Barack Obama's visit to the city. "The huge amount of around $200 million would be spent on security, stay and other aspects of the Presidential visit," a top official of the Maharashtra government privy to the arrangements for the high-profile visit said. About 3,000 people including Secret Service agents, US government officials and journalists would accompany the President. Several officials from the White House and US security agencies are already here for the past one week with helicopters, a ship and high-end security instruments. "Except for personnel providing immediate security to the President, the US officials may not be allowed to carry weapons. The state police is competent to take care of the security measures and they would be piloting the Presidential convoy," the official said on condition of anonymity. Navy and Air Force has been asked by the state government to intensify patrolling along the Mumbai coastline and its airspace during Obama's stay. The city's airspace will be closed half-an-hour before the President's arrival for all aircraft barring those carrying the US delegation. The personnel from SRPF, Force One, besides the NSG contingent stationed here would be roped in for the President's security, the official said. The area from Hotel Taj, where Obama and his wife Michelle would stay, to Shikra helipad in Colaba would be cordoned off completely during the movement of the President. :omg:

[Sachinism]

That is ridiculous, how the eff can you spend $200m/day something doesn't quite add up

[Sir john]

in delhi also. security getting tight.

[Ram]

Its ironical that we spare no effort, leave no stone unturned and even go to the ridiculous extents of chopping off all coconuts to protect a foreign dignitary, but terrorists can simply catch a boat in Karach, calmly sail across the Arabian Sea, get off Mumbai, storm some of the most high-profile locations in city, even as they go on a merciless shooting spree killing innocent civilians.

[yoda]

wow $200m/day is that for real? Given the state of the US economy and unemployment, seems a little excessive. I am guessing that some of these numbers are bloated.

[Patriot_Nikhil]

Heard this on the radio this morning... The figure doesn't sound right though, I doubt even Obama is this reckless...

[punjabi_khota]

No way that number is right. No credible news service in US is carrying this news. Only right wing loony websites.

[Sir john]

US dims India’s hopes on UNSC Obama says it’s a difficult and complicated issue Ahead of his visit, President Barack Obama today described India as a “cornerstone” of the US engagement in Asia. But he held out no assurances on the key topics of support for India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council and ending curbs on the export of dual-use technology, saying both were “very difficult and complicated” issues. Outlining the objectives of his three-day maiden trip beginning Saturday, Obama said building “a true strategic partnership” with India had been one of his “highest foreign policy priorities” since he assumed office in January last. The visit would give him an opportunity to work with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to bring Indo-US cooperation on a broad range of issues “to a new level”, he told PTI. “The Indo-US partnership is based on both our shared values and our shared interests, and for these reasons, I welcome and support India's rise as a global power,” the President said. “India’s rise was in the best interests of both the countries (India and the US), of the region and the world.” The President answered a wide range of questions covering contentious issues like US curbs on the export of dual-use technology items, outsourcing, UNSC membership and Pakistan’s failure to take action against the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks. Asked about the possibility of his announcing lifting of curbs on export of dual-use technology items and more concrete support for India's permanent membership of UNSC, Obama described the two issues as “very difficult and complicated”. “Our teams continue to work hard to reach an agreement that strengthens the international non-proliferation system while treating India in a manner that is consistent with our strategic partnership,” he said in a reference to export restrictions that cover items that have both peaceful and military usage. Without committing himself to a firmer support for India's bid for permanent seat in UNSC, Obama said, “I do also expect to discuss India's role as an actor on the global stage during my visit.” When told that there did not seem to be any “big ticket items” on the agenda, Obama responded, “I do not want to pre-empt the announcements that the Prime Minister and I will make while I am in India. “I think you can expect a series of announcements on how we are going to deepen and broaden our cooperation on a range of things that will have a direct and very positive impact on millions of people both in India and the United States.” “There will be big items on the agenda, and -- just as importantly -- I believe that we will build an even stronger foundation for the US-India partnership going forward.” The President went on to emphasise that Indo-US relationship "now goes well beyond any one particular issue". Outlining his vision of the relationship between the two countries, the President said, “My vision is a US-India partnership in which we work together to shape a more secure, stable, and just world… My visit gives me an opportunity to experience first hand your fascinating country, discuss issues of mutual concern with my friend Prime Minister Singh, and work with him to bring our cooperation on a broad range of issues to a new level.” When asked about reports that the US companies were unhappy with some of the provisions of the Nuclear Liability Act passed recently by India, he said: “I believe that Indian officials are aware of our concerns over the law”.— PTI India as global power: US President says India a cornerstone of America’s engagement in Asia Building a true strategic partnership with India has been a foreign policy priority with him Lifting curbs on export: Remains non-committal, but says teams at work Nuclear Liability Act: Says US has some concerns and both the countries were in talks to resolve them 26/11 terror attacks: Says Pakistan has a special responsibility to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice