Obama supports strategic ties with India, not outsourcing

Washington, Nov 5 (PTI) U.S. President-elect Barack Obama
is a solid supporter of the growing Indo-U.S. strategic
partnership and backs the landmark bilateral nuclear deal, but
has strong views about outsourcing of U.S. jobs overseas, a
cause of concern for Indian businesses.

The 47-year-old, elected as the first black President of
the U.S., is said to have a close affinity with things Indian.
He carries a miniature figure of Lord Hanuman for luck and had
a picture of Mahatma Gandhi placed in his Senate office.

In a message of India's 62nd Independence Day, Obama had
said Gandhi's active role in India's independence movement has
"inspired generations of young people around the world to
pursue freedom in their own countries."

"As freedom faces challenges in many parts of the world,
his (Gandhi's) example is even more relevant. This enduring
legacy is one of the great gifts of India's revolution," Obama
had said.

He felt that it was "only natural" that the world's
oldest and largest constitutional democracies should enjoy
"strong relations". America and India share many common goals
and interests and the U.S. is New Delhi's largest trading and
investment partner, Obama had noted.

"With India, America has one of its most important
relationships in an uncertain world...both countries, India
and America, are working to protect their people and values of
21st century threats while at the same time respecting the
rule of law and cultural pluralism," the African-American
leader said.

Obama initially had reservations about the Indo-U.S.
nuclear deal and had even introduced a 'killer amendment' when
the deal was first debated in the Foreign Relations Committee,
but later backed it strongly both in the floor of Senate and
outside.

Obama told an Indian magazine before the Manmohan Singh
government's July 22 trust vote that the nuclear agreement
effectively balances a range of issues -- from America's
strategic ties with India to its non-proliferation concerns to
India's energy needs.

The Democrat has also ruled out the possibility of
renegotiation of the deal if he came to power.

However, one factor that is creating unease among Indians
is Obama's strong anti-outsourcing stance, which came to fore
repeatedly during the campaign trail.

"....Unlike John McCain, I will stop giving tax breaks
to companies that ship jobs overseas, and I will start giving
them to companies that create good jobs right here in
America," he has said.

This was one of the key issues on which the Indian-
American supporters of his rival John McCain were focussing on
to argue that an Obama presidency will be a bad news for
India's growing B.P.O. sector.

However, some experts have noted that protectionist
measures will be difficult to implement in a globalised world
and felt that the fears were overblown.

Obama's recent remarks that the U.S. should try to help
resolve the Kashmir problem so that Pakistan can focus on
hunting down militants on its restive north-west border have
also been seen in some quarters as suggesting outside
interference in the issue.

Still, Indian-Americans have overwhelmingly backed Obama
amid hopes that his election will open the doors for others in
the migrant communities to strive and succeed like him.

"A large number of the Indian-American community
especially the second generation have enthusiastically
supported Senator Barack Obama and embraced his message of
change," Sanjay Puri, the Chairman of the United States India
Political Action Committee, said.

"For many Indian-Americans, Obama was on all counts, a
transformational candidate who was able to go beyond race," he
said.

Ashok Mago, the Chair of the Dallas-based U.S.INDIA
Forum, voiced hope that under an Obama administration,
"relations between U.S.A. and India should continue to
strengthen because these are based on mutual values and
interests."

Chairman of the American Indians for Democrats Sant
Singh Chatwal, a major fund-raiser for the party, said Obama
along with Vice President Joseph Biden would follow a
pragmatic foreign policy as they understand the reality of the
global situation.

Obama, all through his campaign, took care to reach out
to the Indian-American community, sending wishes to them on
Diwali, independence day and on tercentenary celebrations of
consecration of Guru Granth Sahib.

"Indian-Americans have been strong contributors to the
local communities they have settled in and around the
country," Obama had said in August.

"Indian-Americans balance love of the homeland with a
strong commitment to America, and their knowledge, skills,
values and entrepreneurial spirit have immeasurably benefited
both countries. These efforts have played a significant role
in creating a blueprint for bilateral relations that bring our
nations closer," he had said. PTI SDG
AM