The O Show

BY MARK SHARMA

They came, they spoke and they conquered. For three days, US President Barack Obama and his first lady Michelle Obama sang, danced, played hopscotch, made passionate speeches and conquered the hearts and minds of the Indian people.

No other visit by a head of state to India has engaged with the Indian public like Obama’s did. And why wouldn’t it be? After getting a “shellacking” in the recent US midterm polls, Obama has no choice but to do everything in his power to bring US unemployment down, which currently stands at a whopping 9.6%.

Obama also reciprocated Indian hospitality by making some strong statements in favour of India. “It’s no coincidence that India is my first stop on a visit to Asia or that this has been my longest visit to another country since becoming President. For Asia and around the world, India is not simply emerging, India has emerged,” said Obama pointedly, while addressing a joint session of Indian Parliament.

Apart from all of the above, Obama also signed on billions of dollars worth of trade deals, relaxed export controls on dual-use technology and offered a beautiful tribute to the victims of Mumbai attack.

Obama’s hesitancy to directly blame Pakistan for the terrorist acts on India was disappointing, but not unexpected.

America and Obama’s future are intertwined with the creation of jobs. As US President, the Americans expect him to create jobs and Obama sees India as a major source to make this happen. In the last quarter, Obama had boasted of creating 150,000 jobs in America. Now compare that with the 50,000 jobs he announced as part of the US-India trade on the first day of his trip. Clearly, India is important for the US, no matter which way one looks.

On the Indian side too, stronger ties with the world’s most powerful country is a welcome sign. India’s aim is to be a strong international player and a close relationship with America perfectly fits within that plan. In the last decade, Indo-US military cooperation has gone from strength to strength. America carries out more military exercises with India than any other country. There are also reports of intelligence sharing and Americans provided a lot of input into the investigation of the 26/11 attack on Mumbai.

All the criticism of the first two days when he failed to mention Pakistan was set aside when he addressed the Indian Parliament, and supported India’s bid to UNSC’s permanent seat. “In the years ahead I look forward to a reformed United Nations Security Council that includes India as a permanent member,” stated Obama in his address.

….Obama also signed on billions of dollars worth of trade deals, relaxed export controls on dual-use technology and offered a beautiful tribute to the victims of Mumbai attack.

In between trade and politics, the American couple also visited Humayun’s Tomb, a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, an agriculture expo, a school trip and a town hall style meeting at the Mumbai University. Obama also interacted with villagers from Rajasthan via video conferencing, using optical fibre cable. The only issue on which Obama disappointed Indians was his reluctance to take tough action against Pakistan. America has a very big stake in Afghanistan for which they need Pakistan. Obama’s hesitancy to directly blame Pakistan for the terrorist acts on India was disappointing, but not unexpected.

The fact that India is the largest democracy in the world and shares common values with America also helps. With the decline of Europe and a threatening China, America has realized that it needs India as much as India needs it. This was evident when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh broke protocol and received President Obama at the Delhi Airport. Such a privilege has only been accorded to a select few in the past. It includes George W Bush, Vladimir Putin and Saudi King Faisal. All three of them have been crucial for India. Barack Obama has now joined this elite list.

The three-day whirlwind tour of US President came to a fitting finale when President Prathiba Patil hosted a banquet in honour of the first couple. The Shillong chamber choir which serenaded the Obamas with hymns at the start of the function ended with a fitting tribute. The hit song from old Bollywood hit Sholay was played. Its lyrics “ Yeh dosti hum kabhi nahi todenge ” (We will never break this friendship) aptly describes the mood there.

Whether these bonds of friendship developed over time and nurtured through tough situations will last the test of time is a trillion dollar question. But one thing is for sure; there will be lots of dancing and singing in this friendship.