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Obama pledges to make history with India in November visit
WASHINGTON: Pledging that he will make history with India and "progress that will be treasured not just by this generation but by generations to come," US President Barack Obama on Thursday announced he will visit the country early November this year.
In brief, witty, and eventually rousing remarks at an elegant reception Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosted for her Indian counterpart S M Krishna at the State Department, Obama, rising to counter the perception that he has sidelined New Delhi, repeatedly spoke of how central and important India was in the US, and his, scheme of things.
"It's rising power and a responsible global power. That's why I firmly believe that the relationship between the United States and India will be a defining partnership in the 21st century," he said in a statement that has now become a signature tune in Washington, repeated by officials high and middling.
Describing the relationship between the United States and India as "fundamentally unique" because of their common interests and common values, Obama said Washington values the partnership "not because of where India is on a map, but because of what we share and where we can go together," a sly dig at countries that sell their geographic importance.
"India is indispensable to the future that we seek a future of security and prosperity for all nations," Obama said, joking, "That's why a third of my Cabinet has already visited India -- not only for the chapatis."
As first reported in this newspaper, Obama made the special gesture of turning up at the State Department and then turned on the charm offensive. His sideways banter during the speech included a dig at Hillary Clinton about a food platter named after her in a New Delhi restaurant; he was going to India to ensure there is an "Obama platter."
The President was in a particularly jokey mood with his Secretary of State (Washington scuttlebutt is they still have their differences), subtly challenging her hold on the India portfolio and trumping her Mark Twain quote rhapsodizing about India with a Max Mueller observation he dug up about the glory of India.
"So when it comes to the sphere of our work -- building a future of greater prosperity, opportunity and security for our people, there is no doubt: I have to go to India. But even more, I am proud to go to India," Obama, who has visited Pakistan as a student but never come to India, said.
Obama, when he makes the trip, will be the sixth American President to visit India after Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George Bush (43).
Skeptics, including some former Indian diplomats, remained underwhelmed by the Presidents soaring rhetoric, wanting to know what specific deliverables US had for India. They pointed to the still limited engagement on counter-terrorism, the fact that some Indian science and defense entities are still under sanctions, and Washingtons reluctance to explicitly endorse India for a permanent U.N Security Council seat.
"All in good time," counselled a senior administration official, on the margins of the event, insisting that there were more than just fine sentiments about India now. Another official, waving his hand around the stately Benjamin Franklin Room, laden with treasures such as the desk used by John Quincy Adams to draft the Declaration of Independence and portraits of the Founding Fathers, said, "With which other country do you think we can celebrate our common values here? China? This is the real stuff. The rest is detail."
It was certainly impressive and engaging. As Obama worked the short ropeline holding back some 400 guests after his address, he had many Indian-Americans eating out of his hands not surprising after his platter jokes and chapatti references as they jostled to greet him. Momentarily at least, the idea that he had sidelined India seemed preposterous.
After his motorcade sped away amid a thunderstorm outside, it turned out that he dropped by at his daughter Malias school. Later in the night, White House officials said he telephoned Indonesias President Yudhodhana and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to tell them that he was having to again postpone (for the third time) his visit to their countries scheduled for middle of this month.
Its a scheduling wrinkle New Delhi may have to watch out for. On the other hand, it is possible he will segue visits to Indonesia and Australia to the India trip.
Hillary Clinton quoting Mark Twain on India: "India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great-grandmother of tradition." "And I love the fact that it's mothers," Clinton added.
President Obama quoting Max Mueller on India: "Whatever sphere of the human mind you may select for your special study, whether it be language, or religion, or mythology, or philosophy, whether it be law or customs, primitive art or science, you have to go to India." Because, he said, "some of the most valuable and instructive material of the history of man are treasured up in India and India only."
Obama pledges to make history with India in November visit - India - The Times of India
WASHINGTON: Pledging that he will make history with India and "progress that will be treasured not just by this generation but by generations to come," US President Barack Obama on Thursday announced he will visit the country early November this year.
In brief, witty, and eventually rousing remarks at an elegant reception Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosted for her Indian counterpart S M Krishna at the State Department, Obama, rising to counter the perception that he has sidelined New Delhi, repeatedly spoke of how central and important India was in the US, and his, scheme of things.
"It's rising power and a responsible global power. That's why I firmly believe that the relationship between the United States and India will be a defining partnership in the 21st century," he said in a statement that has now become a signature tune in Washington, repeated by officials high and middling.
Describing the relationship between the United States and India as "fundamentally unique" because of their common interests and common values, Obama said Washington values the partnership "not because of where India is on a map, but because of what we share and where we can go together," a sly dig at countries that sell their geographic importance.
"India is indispensable to the future that we seek a future of security and prosperity for all nations," Obama said, joking, "That's why a third of my Cabinet has already visited India -- not only for the chapatis."
As first reported in this newspaper, Obama made the special gesture of turning up at the State Department and then turned on the charm offensive. His sideways banter during the speech included a dig at Hillary Clinton about a food platter named after her in a New Delhi restaurant; he was going to India to ensure there is an "Obama platter."
The President was in a particularly jokey mood with his Secretary of State (Washington scuttlebutt is they still have their differences), subtly challenging her hold on the India portfolio and trumping her Mark Twain quote rhapsodizing about India with a Max Mueller observation he dug up about the glory of India.
"So when it comes to the sphere of our work -- building a future of greater prosperity, opportunity and security for our people, there is no doubt: I have to go to India. But even more, I am proud to go to India," Obama, who has visited Pakistan as a student but never come to India, said.
Obama, when he makes the trip, will be the sixth American President to visit India after Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George Bush (43).
Skeptics, including some former Indian diplomats, remained underwhelmed by the Presidents soaring rhetoric, wanting to know what specific deliverables US had for India. They pointed to the still limited engagement on counter-terrorism, the fact that some Indian science and defense entities are still under sanctions, and Washingtons reluctance to explicitly endorse India for a permanent U.N Security Council seat.
"All in good time," counselled a senior administration official, on the margins of the event, insisting that there were more than just fine sentiments about India now. Another official, waving his hand around the stately Benjamin Franklin Room, laden with treasures such as the desk used by John Quincy Adams to draft the Declaration of Independence and portraits of the Founding Fathers, said, "With which other country do you think we can celebrate our common values here? China? This is the real stuff. The rest is detail."
It was certainly impressive and engaging. As Obama worked the short ropeline holding back some 400 guests after his address, he had many Indian-Americans eating out of his hands not surprising after his platter jokes and chapatti references as they jostled to greet him. Momentarily at least, the idea that he had sidelined India seemed preposterous.
After his motorcade sped away amid a thunderstorm outside, it turned out that he dropped by at his daughter Malias school. Later in the night, White House officials said he telephoned Indonesias President Yudhodhana and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to tell them that he was having to again postpone (for the third time) his visit to their countries scheduled for middle of this month.
Its a scheduling wrinkle New Delhi may have to watch out for. On the other hand, it is possible he will segue visits to Indonesia and Australia to the India trip.
Hillary Clinton quoting Mark Twain on India: "India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great-grandmother of tradition." "And I love the fact that it's mothers," Clinton added.
President Obama quoting Max Mueller on India: "Whatever sphere of the human mind you may select for your special study, whether it be language, or religion, or mythology, or philosophy, whether it be law or customs, primitive art or science, you have to go to India." Because, he said, "some of the most valuable and instructive material of the history of man are treasured up in India and India only."
Obama pledges to make history with India in November visit - India - The Times of India
