"As president, I have a responsibility to support jobs and opportunity for the American people, and I believe the U.S.-India economic relationship can and should be a 'win-win' relationship for both of our countries."
President Barack Obama
President Obama’s visit to India is one that is of great interest to me.
India and the US over the last few years have started to build their relations, with closer defence and trade ties not to mention the civilian nuclear co-corporation accord that was signed in 2008 (by Bush). This deal meant that the US would grant India access to civilian nuclear technology and fuel ...but of course just like many other states the Yanks never do anything for nothing. This was granted on the condition that India would allow the US to inspect its civilian (but not military) nuclear facilities...oh the pressures one faces when one refuses to signs the NPT.
So what’s it all about, I hear you ask...
Well...let me enlighten you my precious...most believe it’s to do with the economy...the American economy that is. The US is facing a real problem with the lack of jobs at the moment which has understandably led many US citizens to lunacy and a lack of confidence in their president’s ability... (No need to mention the mid-tern elections or the Tea Party then!).
The fact of the matter is that India are doing very well and are producing their own global giants which are giving American companies a serious run for their money, 20 years ago India had very few global companies that were of any real creditability in the global market.
Obama’s goal partly is to revive the US economy and gain the public support he once had, in this case India are able to help him with this by securing an estimated $10bn in deals which could untimely create 100,000 jobs for the American people. As it stands India is America's 14th largest trading partner, up from 25th in 2003, no wonder why Obama went on the “public diplomacy/PR” charm offense by making the decision to lift controls on transfer of technology and also massaging the Indians desires and having them salivate over the possibility of becoming members of the United Nations Security Council with Obama’s backing. This was described as a “full endorsement” and also by Brahma Chellaney, professor at the centre for policy research as “not really a genuine assurance”, “These kinds of complexities are all going to be lost in the media reaction. In India we have a tendency to believe the hype".
This visit has not gone without its critics. Pakistan’s government were greatly disappointed in Obama’s support for the Indians in the Security Council as it is said that India have failed to adhere to the UN charter principles by carrying out human rights violations in Kashmir and had also ignored the UN resolution on the region. As the good book say’s “you can not serve two masters”, it is important that the US also focus on building good relations with Pakistan especially in terms of protecting US security...it appears that Obama has decided to play mediator between the two states saying that “Pakistan and India, needed to reduce tensions and resolve their disputes.
I can see a real need for public diplomacy; in this new age it is a necessity. To be taken note of, to have point put across everything needs to be advertised and publicised, the media has become a vital tool and transparency is welcomed amongst the public. Public diplomacy is about gaining support from every angle possible to sustain personal and collaborative interest. This goes beyond support of a government, equally as important is the support of the public whether at home or abroad, public opinion matters. Globalisation has changed the world massively, power is based not solely on the amount of warheads one may have but on the strength of ones economy (as we have seen) and the strength of state relations. Which somehow falls in to a popularity contest as a marketing machine is used to sway public onion. Whether right or wrong, I believe public persuasion is imperative when playing the game of politics ...can we call this propaganda...yes we can.
For further stories and videos relating to this fascinating tale, please check out the following links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1N8Mrk9Gkw (Very interesting watch)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSIo6Xj_NvQ
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Obama-backs-India-for-UN-seat/articleshow/6891755.cms
Hope you enjoyed the read....
LaLa Lola x
This is an interesting case study, again written with your usual flair - although I'm not sure I would refer to Americans as "Yanks" in my final submission of this work for assessment!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think Obama hoped to gain by making his overtures to India in such a public manner?