Should we also learn Reverse-engineering?
New Recruit
Be like China, India told
Ashwani TalwarExpress News ServiceFirst Published : 02 Nov 2010 02:44:35 AM ISTLast Updated : 02 Nov 2010 03:53:13 PM IST
NEW DELHI: “Be like China” - This is the advice Pete Dagher, American President Barack Obama’s former campaign manager, offers India. He compares China to a squeaky wheel that gets the grease because it makes so much noise. India, in contrast, was too “respectful.”
At an interaction organised by the Observer Research Foundation ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit, the discussion veered to comparisons between how China and India handle their relationships with the United States.
Dagher said Obama was unlikely to make a public statement during the trip acknowledging India’s concerns over China.
He was also unlikely to announce any change in the policy that allows tax breaks for companies that outsource parts of their business.
Dagher, who made clear he was speaking in his personal capacity and not on Obama’s behalf, conceded that China was more likely to get what it wants from the US.
He didn’t agree completely with former diplomat Arundhati Ghose’s observation that this was because China was a stronger country. Ghose also reminded that India too had been making a lot of noise -- an apparent reference to issues like outsourcing and sale of arms to Pakistan. “But nobody listens,” she said.
Dagher said China gets what it wants because it doesn’t take no for an answer. “If the slightest thing is said against the Chinese, they react. They do sabre-rattling. You have heard the expression, the squeaking wheel gets the grease,” he reminded.
India has to assert itself, he said. “It has to realise its power. It has to say that - and say we don’t want to be the younger brother.’’
