Obama Visit To India

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Rekha

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Obama's India Visit was the 3rd Visit by any American president to India in this decade. Barak Obama is the first Afro-American and sixth US president to visit India. Though, Mr. Obama recently stated that this century is going to be the century of Indo American relationship and showering business tie-ups and aids on India, still we have to analyze critically regarding the intention of this visit. What are the possible reasons behind it? Is it including India in the global war against terrorism, reckoning India as an emerging economic superpower, or just s formal visit? In this article we will focus upon two possible but unavoidable reasons behind world's most powerful man's visit to India.

Major worries for Obama back in US are the nexus between Afghanistan and US's old ally Pakistan, and the rising china. Obama and his cabinet are of the perception (rather opinion) that India can be involved as a major and crucial factor in both of the above issues bothering US. China’s increasing assertiveness in global forums has become a severe headache for US after terrorism issue. Hence, a shining India can counter this in a more effective manner. That is perhaps one of the most important reasons behind Obama’s India visit. Along with, India is also not happy with America's Pakistan policy. It has recently announced an aid of two billion dollars to Pakistan army. And, there is a bright chance that a large amount of this money will be spent on terror against India. Mr. Obama's visit to India is to pacify the situation and convince India regarding the strategic role of Pakistan in war against terror.

The next possible reason behind Obama’s India visit is its impact of US Mid-term elections scheduled on 6th November. Many exist polls are of the view that Obama Charisma is fading out. There is growing demand in US for more job creation and the movement against outsourcing is granulating. By Visiting India and signing lots of business tie-ups, Barak Obama wants to give clear message to Americans that India is going to be a strategic business partner not a mere outsourcing hub.
 
Obama in Mumbai

Many thought that the unprecedented commercial success of Slum dog Millionaire was one of the major attractions behind Obama’s Mumbai Visit. He might visit Dharavi, the biggest slum of India. However nothing such happened. Obama's Mumbai visit can be analyzed from a serious point of view or in a lighter vein. If we take the statement of US National Security Adviser Tom Donilon that America is amazed with the economic rise of India and Wants to broaden bilateral relatioships in both length and breadth. More than 200 business leaders of US accompanied him on his Mumbai Visit. It is the largest ever delegation accompanying with head of the state to India. Hence, business was the most vital aspect as far as Obama's Mumbai Visit is concerned.

After being greeted by the dignitaries of Maharashtra Government, Obama went to have view of the downtown from the sky. Smile was the only constant on Barak Obama’s stay in Mumbai. In next morning, according to the schedule h e had conversations with farmers and students. However, the entire discussion of the world's most powerful politician was without any political content. During his conversations with students regarding Jihad and Pakistan, Mr. Obama trickily avoided the questions by saying India has a greater role to play to create a successful and stable Pakistan. It will help in enhancing the ties between the two neighbors. On sixth November, Obama made serious comments regarding ground zero and 26/11 from Taj Hotel. He also visited Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum in Mumbai and paid his homage to the father of Nation. Earlier, Mr. Obama has already admitted that Mr Gandhi is his ideal.

Obama’s moments at Mumbai On Sunday can be taken as the lighter side of the most powerful man of the world. It was Diwali and the Obama couple celebrated this festival in a traditional Indian manner at a school with children.
 
Obama at St. Xavier's College

The toughest part of Obama's stay in Mumbai was his conversation with students of St. Xavier's College. He addressed to an audience of 300 students chosen from different colleges and universities of Mumbai. Students asked questions ranging from Jihad, Afghanistan to bilateral trade, outsourcing and Indo-American Nuclear deal. However, it was Mrs. Obama, the first lady of US to interact with students. Michelle Obama encouraged the students to ask some tough and tricky questions to Mr. Obama that would keep him on his toe.

Mr Obama with his trademark smile accepted the challenge and asked the students to ask some simple but tricky and it gave the golden opportunity to students. One among them asked Obama's views on declaring Pakistan as a terrorist country. Obama smiled and told that it was an expected question. However, he only shook hand with the student who raised the question and avoided the answer. Then, the real conversation between the students and the most powerful man of the world started. Obama asked the youth regarding their dreams about India in 2020. He asked them regarding their willingness to represent which type of India by 2020. On this context Obama told that nobody in the world except Indian youth can answer it. The way you dream, the way you will shape it. U.S is ready to provide India superior technology for further research in clean energy development and other scientific aspects. The youth should take utmost benefit of these programs for a better world.
He reminded the audience regarding the threat their democracy is facing from terror and made them aware that future of this great land lies in the hands of the youth. Citing the fact that most of the Indians are under the age of thirty, Mr. Obama told, "Every single child holds promise of greatness".

For most of the students, it was a highly helpful conversation and a memory for their rest of life.
 
Obama in Delhi

Obama’s four day visit to India and his statements made in have much more broader ramifications than they have. In Delhi, Obama made the statement aloud that both US and India can stand for better out if there will be strategic collaborations. For this purpose, both of the countries have to get rid of the old dogmas. Spreading the feeling that both Americans and Indians are indispensable for each other for a brighter 21st century is the need of the hour. The sooner they realize this reality, brighter is the scope for mutual development and benefit. Obama promised that the name of ISRO, DRDO and Bharat Dynamics limited will be removed from US's black list very soon.

In Delhi, American President Obama promised to the lift the unnecessary and time-lagging restrictions related to scientific and technical product exports from U.s to India. Along with, he announced several commercial deals summing up to $15 billion. However, there is a problem inherent with this announcement of Mr. Obama. This announcement might put 54,000 US jobs in danger at juncture while movement against outsourcing is granulating in U.S. This meeting was attended by 400 business leaders of both the countries.

As far as Business, tie-ups among both the countries, Mr. Obama emphasized on a complete revamp. The conventional view of American products in Indian shops should no more be the definition of Indo American business tie-up. The tie-up needs to be the more comprehensive and indispensable in nature. Obama's stay in Delhi was not confined to business only. He put emphasis on many aspects that can change the way of living of people of both the countries. However, in none of his speech in New Delhi, he coined the word Pakistan. It was a major concern of India and its stand on Pakistan.

In most of his speeches in Delhi, he focused on youth and their role in making a nation.
 
so far, President Obama's visit has remained engaging, entertaining and interactive but we still keep our fingers crossed on what's coming up on counter terrorism, spread of nuclear weapons, job scenario, trade relations and what not !!!
 
Obama’s India visit-A success

Before Obama’s India visit, many analysts were skeptic regarding its outcome due to several factors. They are U.S’s inclination towards US, U.S’s interest in Kashmir issue, its impact upon Ind0-china relationship, removal of Indian organizations like DRDO, BARC and ISRO And many more. However, Obama’s 3 days stay in India has cleared the clouds of doubt up to a greater extent and created a win-win situation for both India and America Relations.

Obama supported India’s venerable wish of permanent membership of UN Security Council. Whatever might be the intention of Obama in the changing south-Asiatic political and economic situation; this declaration will definitely give the desired boost to India for permanent membership in UN Security council. Along with, Mr. Obama strictly asked his country’s faithful and old ally Pakistan to bring perpetrators of Mumbai attack before justice. From this statement, one can easily draw the conclusion that Obama has realized that Pakistan is the breeding ground of terror and terrorism. During his 2-days stay in Mumbai, he stayed at the same Taj Hotel sending the terrorists a strong message.

Matching to the expectation of the skeptics, Obama also showed interest to mediate if both the countries want him to become the mediator to reduce Indo-Pak Tension. However, For India, Kashmir issue is always a bilateral political issue to be resolved by both parties concerned only.

As far as Business is concerned, Business leaders of both the countries agreed on several points and in presence of Mr. Obama a bunch of business deals worth $10 billion were signed. Me. Obama promised to enhance US’s cooperation towards enhancing India’s internal security by providing latest state of art technologies. He also promised to remove sanction on different Indian companies and research organizations. Another noteworthy promise made by Mr. Obama is setting up a research center for civil nuclear use in India.

Obama’s visit acknowledged the fact that India is an emerging economic power of the world. He repeated this point and suggested for better strategic partnership between the two counties in different forum during his visit. Along with, Obama’s warning to Pakistan strengthens the grounds of India’s long continuing war on terror. From Many aspects, it can be safely said that Obama’s India visit was a success on different front like better bilateral relationship, terrorism, commerce and India’s growth.
 
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Obama's speech to Joint session of Indian Parliament

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BASIS AND PURPOSE

Mr. Barack Obama’s was a visit to reaffirm the faith and co-operation of people of India and the US, the oldest democracy in the world.

OBAMA’S DREAMFUL FAITH

Mr. Obama’s visit ensures that he has high regards for India’s ancient civilization of science and innovation. He praised the efforts of India in launching Green Revolution that was helpful to millions of people who are the greatest resource.

THE CHANGING OLD ORDER

Mr. Obama had indicated the days of cold war between India and US was over with the re-establishment of an environment of cooperative friendship and mutual understanding for betterment of people of both the nations. He

expressed the better hope for the partnership between these two nations on business and bilateral agreements.

SECURITY FOR PROPER WORLD ORDER.

Stressing the need to promote world peace and security through global cooperation, he indicated that prosperity of any growing economy was possible only through seeking a just and sustainable international order that could promote peace and security. He reaffirmed his commitment to whatever is needed through mutual cooperation between his country and India – the indispensable partners in meeting the challenges of the days ahead.

CHALLENGES AHEAD

Mr. Obama assured that his government would always be ready and had worked to help get solutions to the challenges that are common to both nations by working together.

G20 FORUM

He praised India’s efforts and contribution to United Nations peacekeeping mission and making of G20 premier forum for international economic cooperation and increasing the role of emerging economies like India at international financial institutions. This has created a solid foundation for a good for a longstanding relationship between two countries in the days ahead in the areas of prosperity, high tech, high wage jobs, and civil nuclear agreement.

At the end of his address, Obama said, ''Jai Hind'
 
Obama India Visit 2010

India has gained alot from Obama's India visit.India has become a trusted ally from a distant acquaintance. The goodies, I hope, will come soon.

Highlights of Remarks at the Joint Press Conference
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Long Live India- America Friendship​
 
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