“What can you do for us?”

Delhi Diary

Am I the only one who is a bit nauseated by the constant demand from the American side: “What can you do for us?”

VINOD MEHTA

The Foreign Indian Hand

Am I the only one who is a bit nauseated by the constant demand from  the American side: “What can you do for us?” In all the discussions and debates with US policymakers and the media, only one question is being asked: “What does Modi bring to our table?” The list of requirements is formidable. They all revolve around India making life easier for US multinationals. As a result, on this visit our prime minister is always on the defensive­—he needs to “walk the talk”, “cut red tape”, “make environmental clearances instant”, “change the country’s laws to suit American companies”, “woo US corporate chiefs” etc etc. Unfortunately, Modi has fallen into the trap. It would seem India is the supplicant. It seems India must go the extra mile for enticing Kentucky Fried Chicken to invest more.

It is all hopelessly one-sided. In fact, the US should be wooing India. America needs India more than India needs America. Of course, we must remove unnecessary hurdles hindering business development, but not just for the US, we should do it for the entire international community. With our 1.2 billion population and 400-million-strong middle class, India offers a market no other country can match. It is we who should be setting the terms. Alas, it is the other way round. Who is pushing India into the beggar’s role? The same people who were chanting “Modi, Modi, Modi” at the Madison Square Garden. The three million NRIs and PIOs, who have suddenly discovered how much they love India, play an extremely negative and selfish role in boosting Indo-US relations irrespective of the consequences to their home country. It is time we woke up to that fact.

http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Delhi-Diary/292121