A Monologue With Dr Singh

Mr Prime Minister never thought a banal citizen like me will have something to share with you. Though appearing older, Carla Bruni looks beautiful. Though her husband, Nicolas Sarkozy turns out to be shorter. Since there is no hard and fast rule as to who marries whom, Sir, ideally others should have no objection to what the duo looks like. But since I don’t understand French, only this is what I could make out of the France President’s visit to India. While I am yet to decipher whether Sarkozy really thinks “Viv La India, Viv La France”, few issues are still rankling me about American President Obama’s visit to the country over a month ago, Sir.

Before we get on, just felt like escalating this with you, Doctor. My maa is a very credulous character. The moment Obama turned up in Mumbai; she asked what he was here for. “He is here to improve bilateral ties and create win-win situation for all” a reply from a shallow scribe in me. Maa apparently didn’t get a word of it as, to be frank, she has no clue of what do we eat diplomacy and politics with. As the time progressed, States’ first black President celebrated Diwali with city kids, held parleys with corporate head honchos. While addressing Parliamentarians, he showered praises on Gandhi, Ambedkar and Swami Vivekananda. Thus, before he flew off, maa got a fair idea of what the American had come for.

However, being a yellow journalist, my propensity to be pessimist (even after the Prez emphasizing India being an ‘already emerged country’) is impelling me to fidget. Unlike maa, my father is well-versed with world’s happenings. He had told me that you were instrumental in India embracing open market policy. So, I was expecting a good deal out of Obama’s visit when an economist like you is at the helm of country’s affairs (or at least we think so!). The party you represent believes in Gandhian philosophy of peace, which Obama admires. However, what he sold us are weaponries to generate employment back home. Even as flow of outsourcing jobs to India is not going down well with the US, it wants us to mend things for them. In return, what we are getting is assurances and many of them. I mean berth in UNSC, NSG and what not. It is worth remembering Sir-jee Americans had expressed similar sentiments for Japan and Germany as well in 1993. That place, however, still eludes the two nations. US had once uttered America and India were ‘natural allies’. The alliance, at least for India, is coming at a price as seen from the deals signed recently. Obama’s remarks that India has emerged won a round of applause, but do we need a pundit to tell us, Sir, that basic (if not proper) infrastructure, sufficient water and power supply continue to be distant dreams for most Indians?

Being in good books of the lone Superpower is what most countries across the globe strive for. American influence though seems to be waning with China threatening its position post recession. US’ attempts to develop close rapport with India, therefore, appear as exploitation of our long-standing wish to be its ‘natural ally’. Proximity to India will also help US in keeping a check on the Dragon while it continues to support our archrival Pakistan. Like Obama had said, it indeed is a win-win situation, but only for the US as it scored over us in economic, political and strategic spheres. To be a major global force, India needs to do well in the three areas; berths in world groups will automatically follow. This is what wanted to bring to your notice, Sir.

PS: By the way, maa also noted the American President is far younger than you. Indian democracy will have to grow older to have younger Prime Minister she concluded later.