White House Prepares to Welcome Indian Leader

Ahead of President Obama's state dinner to honor Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Nov. 24, Asia Society President Vishakha Desai writes: "The last time Prime Minister Singh was guest of honor at a state dinner at the White House, I had the privilege of sitting next to him. A great deal of excitement was in the air as the prime minister and President Bush had just announced their intention to forge the civil nuclear energy deal. The initiative established India's bona fides as a 'special' partner of the U.S. and effectively de-linked India from its neighbor Pakistan in U.S.-India foreign relations."

"The question is: What can we expect from this state visit that would strengthen the course laid out in the previous U.S. administration? At the moment there is a feeling in India that the Obama administration is too focused on the Pakistan-Afghanistan problem on the one hand and too pre-occupied with China as its greatest lender on the other, to pay attention to India. The fact that President Obama has a strong personal relationship with Prime Minister Singh and that he personally wanted Dr. Singh to be his first 'state' guest should help in diminishing India's sense of being neglected. More importantly, this is the time to strengthen the partnership on multiple fronts, most importantly in education. The Indo-US commission on higher education, announced by Minister Kapil Sibal, has the potential to be even more far-reaching that the civil nuclear energy deal and can be a 'win-win' for both countries. This could be the major new aspect of this multi-layered, but somewhat new relationship."

Vishakha is in New York. To arrange an interview, please contact the Asia Society communications department at 212-327-9271 or [email protected].