Obama in India

US President Barack Obama’s four day visit to Delhi has been applauded by India and the US as a successful and timely one, particularly in his declaration of support for New Delhi’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.

Obama flew into India on November 6 and spent a night in Mumbai, where he stayed at the Taj Mahal Hotel, one of the key targets of Pakistani terrorists in November 2008.

He flew into New Delhi on November 7, for two hectic days of engagements. Besides visiting and admiring the Humayun’s Tomb with Michelle, Obama held talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and addressed members of both houses of Indian parliament.

The US’ declaration of support for India for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council formed the high-point of Obama’s maiden visit to this country. Here are excerpts from his visit.

US supports India’s rise:

Obama

President Obama said ties with India constitute a “defining and indispensable” partnership of this century that cannot be wished away, and asked businesses from the two sides to look at each other as partners and not threats.

“We not only welcome India’s rise, but we ardently support it, as we live in an inter-connected world. Commerce between America and India will benefit both,” the president told a business summit at Oberoi’s Trident Hotel on November 6, the first day of his maiden four-day visit to India, his longest to any country.

“I believe the relationship between the United States and India will be one of the defining and Indispensable partnerships of the 21st century,” he said, as some 400 top executives and business leaders from the two sides listened with interest.

“Economic relations between our countries still has enormous untapped potential. Of all the goods that India imports less than 10 percent comes from US and of all that the US exports, less than 2 percent goes to India,” he said.

“Americans have helped build India and India has helped to build America,” he said in a speech that received at wide applause at least five times, ending with a standing ovation after his 25-minute address.

Obama, who made passing reference to the Congressional election where the Democrats lost control in the House of Representatives to rival Republicans, told his audience back home that Americans stood to “benefit from strengthening ties with India”.

Both Democrats and Republicans support the growing partnership with India, though a section of Republicans have criticised the Obama visit for the expense factor.

Obama’s comments came against the backdrop of trade between the US and India more than doubling to $37 billion in 2009 compared with 2003, according to data available with the US Commerce Department, which has also been worried over the trade imbalance skewed in favour of India.

In the first eight months of 2010, total trade topped $32 billion, with imports by India up 20 percent and exports higher by 40 percent. The two sides feel bilateral trade can top $50 billion in the next couple of years.

Among the corporate leaders invited for the event included Honeywell’s David Cote who co-chairs the India-US CEO Forum with Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata, PepsiCo chairperson Indra Nooyi, Boeing Co’s Jim McNerney and General Electric Co’s Jeffrey Immelt.

The event was organised by the United States-India Business Council (USIBC), and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the US Department of Commerce were co-hosts of the event, also attended by over 200 business leaders from the US.

Ahead of President Obama’s speech, the US side unveiled commercial deals worth over $15 billion that will also address the domestic constituency by supporting nearly 54,000 jobs in the US.

The deals include the purchase of as many as 33 Boeing-737 aircraft by the Indian budget carrier SpiceJet and an order on General Electric to supply 414 engines to power India’s indigenous light combat aircraft, knowledgable sources here said.

The US side also eased export control norms on some Indian defence firms.

These entities could include the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and guided weapons maker Bharat Dynamics, all of which are state-run agencies, officials said ahead of the business meeting.

Obama salutes Mumbai, Gandhi on beginning India journey

US President Barack Obama pledged to deepen counter-terror cooperation with India on November 6, while saluting Mumbai for its resilience and Mahatma Gandhi for rewriting history.

Standing in the very Taj Mahal hotel where Pakistani terrorists went on a killing spree two Novembers ago, with the historic Gateway of India monument in the backdrop, Obama paid homage to those who died in the 2008 terrorist savagery popularly referred to as 26/11.

The dead included six Americans - which Obama underlined. But walking a tight diplomatic rope, Obama refrained from naming or alluding to Pakistan, a US ally New Delhi blames for the Mumbai terror attack.

“Those who attacked Mumbai wanted to demoralize this city and this country but they failed,” he said. “The very next day Mumbaikars came back to work... Within weeks, this hotel was welcoming guests from around the world.”

All the while, Michelle, clad in a grey dress and sporting a string of pearls around her neck, stood gracefully by his

In a memorial book, Obama wrote: “We will always remember the events of 26/11; not only the sorrow, but also the courage and humanity displayed that day. The US stands in solidarity with all of Mumbai and all of India in working to eradicate the scourge of terrorism, and we affirm our lasting friendship with the Indian people.”

The Obamas stayed at the Taj as a sign of solidarity. They placed a white rose at the memorial to the victims of the Mumbai carnage -- a stone wall carved with the names of the dead and a tree sculpture.

Speaking with the Gateway of India and the Arabian Sea in the backdrop, the president said he would “never forget the awful images of 26/11” as the heavily armed terrorists went on a killing spree in Mumbai for three long days.

“Taj has been a symbol of strength and resolve. Mumbai has been a symbol of incredible energy and optimism,” Obama said, addressing select families of the Mummbai terror attack, some survivors and hotel employees.

From the Taj, Obama proceeded to Mani Bhavan, where his “hero” Mahatma Gandhi used to stay and which is now a museum, to pay tribute to the apostle of non-violence who has wielded enormous influence on African Americans.

Obama and Michelle walked through the rooms filled with books, pictures and other memorabilia of Gandhi. The sense of history was palpable as they flipped through the bulky visitors’ book.

After the 30-minute tour, a visibly moved president wrote: “I am filled with hope and inspiration as I have the privilege to view this testament to Gandhi’s life. He is a hero not just to India but to the world.”

Michelle wrote: “This visit will be one I will always treasure.”

With great interest, Obama read the remarks written by American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, another hero of his who visited Mani Bhavan in 1959.

Obama’s outsourcing stand relieves Indian IT industry

On November 10, the Indian IT industry expressed relief over US President Barack Obama’s stand on outsourcing and his commitment to do away with protectionism.

“Obama did a great job for our industry by terming them (anti-outsourcing lobbies) stereotypes. I think his administration will also do a great job in terms of changing those stereotypes,” IT industry body Nasscom president Som Mittal told reporters.

For positioning India as the market for US businesses and declaring India was no longer emerging but had emerged, Mittal said the industry would support the US administration’s efforts to change the stereotypes.

“I think we too have to do our job to change those stereotypes and ensure there is a much larger community that understands our business model that we are part of the solution rather than creating the problem,” Mittal said on the margins of Nasscom’s annual Product Conclave & Expo 2010.

Expressing the industry’s satisfaction over the outsourcing issue figuring in discussions between Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mittal said both the governments had committed to do away with protectionism.

“Obama and Manmohan Singh have both spoken out against protectionism and curbs on outsourcing. It was part of their discussions. Both the governments have committed to protectionism not being the way forward,” Mittal asserted.

‘Kesariya balam’, Indian delicacies, wow Obamas at state banquet

Lighted earthen diyas lining the steps, colourful rangolis on the floor, pretty string lights on the bushes, and the melodious welcome song - Kesariya balam, padharo mhare des... - US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama were left captivated during the state banquet at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on November 8.

The state banquet, hosted by President Pratibha Patil, was held on the lush green Mughal Garden lawns at the brightly illuminated presidential palace, specially done up to welcome the US first couple.

The Obamas called on Patil and held a half-an-hour meeting with her at 7.30 p.m. in the Morning Room of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which was personally redecorated by the Indian president.

Highly placed sources said the entire passage leading from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the Mughal Garden lawns was lit up with earthen diyas, string lights, and decorated with flowers and rangoli, adding to the ambience.

The Obamas were taken on a round of the beautifully lit Mughal Gardens where Rajasthani singers sang Kesariya balam, padharo mhare des... - meaning “welcome to my land, beloved”.

In her speech, Patil said India and the US should work together for global peace and stability and be partners in diverse sectors like international economic development, clean energy, food and health security.

She also said the two countries have “responsibilities to work together for peace, stability and security in the world”.

Obama once again showered praises on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying his country and India were working together to build a global partnership in the new century.

Later, the Obamas met the invited guests along with Patil and her husband Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat, the sources said.

Over 100 guests were part of the banquet, including Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her son and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitely, Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and business magnates like Tata Group head Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita were present.

Clad in a cream and green sari, Patil had Obama, Michelle, who was in a grey dress, seated at her table, along with Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and former president A.P.J.Abdul Kalam.

India was showcased in a cultural extravaganza through a 20-minute performance that included a percussionist group were led by known musician Guruvar Dorai and V. Raja Rao; Maitrayee - a mix of India’s diverse classical dances; a performance by the 16-member Shillong Chamber Choir and finally, Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge.. - the hit Bollywood number - was sung by the group, bringing smiles to the faces of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Obama, who are known to have high regard for each other.

The cultural show was organised to showcase India’s rich culture and heritage, said the sources.

As the guests settled down to a sumptuous dinner, the Navy Band took over, playing lilting music from old Bollywood hits of the 1960s and 70s, including Awara Hoon..

The banquet consisted of a mouthwatering repast of Indian delicaciesfrom pineapple halwa , to achari fish tikka , chicken shami kebab and even palak papdi chaat.

Obamas’ India experience to be showcased at Maximum India fest

Maximum India - a festival of India - will be held in Washington in March next year, showcasing Indian textiles, dance, music and cuisine to allow Americans “experience” what US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle experienced in India.

This was stated by US Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer recently. The festival of India in US is being held after 26 years, and will be in Washington on March 1-11 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts culture hub.

Romer said: “Maximum India will take Indian textiles, dance, music, jewellery, literature and cuisine to US to allow Americans to experience what Barack Obama and his wife experienced in India.”

The festival will be a collaboration between the Kennedy Center and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Some of the programmes at the festival will travel beyond Washington to a broader audience in mobile clusters - a series of performances - under heads like literature, tourism, fashion, Bollywood and archaeological heritage woven around a common theme, ICCR Director General Suresh Goel said.

“It has also been ICCR’s dream to have a cultural centre in Washington for a long time. We are moving in the way to have it in place during the festival,” Goel said.

A separate section in the festival will focus on Rabindranath Tagore on his 150th birth anniversary next year. The US plays an important part in the Tagore celebrations by hosting several expositions of the Nobel Laureate’s art and works across the country.

The last India festival was a joint initiative between the Indian government and the Smithsonian Institute.

Besides big names like Zakir Husain, Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, ‘Maximum India’ will celebrate cultural diversity of the country with unique performances such as concerts by the National Symphony Orchestra featuring repertoire influenced by India’s vibrant culture.

The ‘Manganniyar Seduction’ will bring 43 Muslim musicians spanning three generations from the deserts of Rajasthan whose music is a mix of folk and classical Indian styles.

Indian dances will be represented by Odissi performer Madhavi Mudgal, Bharatnatyam exponents Alarmel Valli, Priyadarshini Govind, the Daksha Sheth

Dance Company and several others.

According to Alicia B. Adams, vicepresident of international programming of the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, one of the high points of Maximum India will be a gastronomic carnival.

“Twelve Indian chefs from The Taj Group of Hotels, one of the sponsors of the festival, will camp at Kennedy Center from March 1 to cook Indian food for participants and visitors,” Alicia Adams said.

The Kennedy Center does not have many Indian presentations. “One of the reasons we host international festivals is to tap into those regions which are underserved,” Adams said.

Adams was in India to announce the festival.

The focus of the art and crafts sections will be on “offbeat”. “Contemporary artist Jatin Das will display 40 hand fans that he has collected from all over the country,” Adams said.

An interactive space for children, “Hi, I am India” by pop artist duo Thukral and Tagra will break common ground that will allow children to create their own artwork while the Ishara Puppet Theatre will present theatres combining “puppetry and imagination”.

“American audiences like Indian music, books and films. Personally, my family and I were able to appreciate the tradition of India at the opening of the Commonwealth Games that came out through music. I have been to Tagore’s home in Kolkata (Jorasanko)... I enjoyed meeting Aamir Khan at Barack Obama’s dinner as well,” Roemer said.

“It will increase people-to people contact and strengthen diplomatic ties between both the nations. The first lady had been thanking the Indian people for their hospitality,” the ambassador said.