BY....NRIPRESS/IANS
0ct 06
- Obama signals easing of high-tech exports, unveils $15 bn deals (Intro Night Roundup)
- Obama salutes Mumbai, Gandhi as he begins India journey (Evening Roundup)
- India, US finalise $5-bn defence pacts
- SpiceJet to add 30 Boeing aircraft in its fleet
- Michelle Obama meets young fans in Mumbai
- US media hails Obama's India visit
- Reliance Power signs $750 mn deal with General Electric
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Obama signals easing of high-tech exports, unveils $15 bn deals (Intro Night Roundup)
Mumbai, Nov 6: US President Barack Obama began his maiden visit to India Saturday by promising to remove restrictions on sensitive high-tech exports, a nagging irritant in the evolution of bilateral ties, even as he declared deals worth $15 billion that would support some 54,000 American jobs and seek to answer critics back home.
Arriving shortly after noon on Air Force One with First Lady Michelle and senior cabinet colleagues like secretaries of treasury and commerce, Obama said all the right things that would please Indians even as he told his audience back home to shed old stereotypes about the country as growing ties with India would benefit both nations which he said were set for a "defining and indispensable partnership of the 21st century".
"We not only welcome India's rise, but we ardently support it," the president told a business summit at Oberoi's Trident Hotel - one of the targets of the 26/11 attackers that struck Mumbai - on the first day of his four-day visit to India, the first halt in a four-nation Asian tour.
Obama said the US will work with India to reform export laws as Washington readies to express "in-principle" support to New Delhi's membership of elite nuclear clubs like the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
"Today I am pleased to announce that we will work with India to to fundamentally reform our control on exports which will allow greater cooperation in the range of high-tech sectors and strengthen our non-proliferation efforts," Obama said.
The US is set to remove three banned Indian entities from its Entities List, freeing them to export sensitive technologies, informed sources said. They include: Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Indian Space Research (ISR0) and the Hyderabad-headquartered Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
This could be reflected in the joint statement India and the US are expected to come out after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Obama Monday.
The United States will support India's full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes, Mike Froman, Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs, said.
"These are the Nuclear Suppliers Group; what's called the MTCR regime -- the Missile Technology Control Regime; the Australian Group; and the Wassanaar Arrangement," said .
He was referring to top nuclear non-proliferation multilateral regimes that control global trade in dual-use and sensitive technologies.
Earlier, Obama - standing before the iconic Taj Hotel that was also ravaged by the terrorists that left over 160 people dead - pledged to deepen counter-terror cooperation with New Delhi, saluted Mumbai for its resilience and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi whom he called the "hero to the world".
His India visit, Obama said, would be the longest he had undertaken to any country in his 22-month presidency. "I believe the relationship between United States and India will be one of the defining and Indispensable partnerships of the 21st century," he said, as some 400 top executives from the two sides watched in rapt attention.
"Americans have helped build India and India has helped to build America," he said in a speech, that elicited wide applause at least five times, ending with a standing ovation after his 25-minute address.
"And (yet) there still exists a caricature of India as a land of call centres and back-offices that cost American jobs. That's a real perception," the president added in reference to critics who say outsourcing to countries like India has caused thousands of job losses in the US.
Nudging India to open up key sectors like retail and agriculture, which hold a huge potential for American companies, Obama said: "Here in India, I know many still see perceive the arrival of American companies and products to small shop keepers and to India's ancient and proud culture."
"But these old stereotypes, these old concerns ignore today's reality. In 2010, trade between our countries is not just a one-way street of American jobs and companies moving to India," said Obama.
"It is a dynamic two way relationship which is creating jobs, growth and higher living standards in both our countries and that is the truth. As we look to India today, the United States see the opportunity to sell exports to one of the fastest growing markets in the world."
Obama, who made a passing reference to the Congressional election where the Democrats lost control in the House of Representatives to rival Republicans, told his audience back home that Americans stood to "benefit from strengthening ties with India".
Among the corporate leaders invited for the event included Honeywell's David Cote who co-chairs the India-US CEO Forum with Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata, PepsiCo chairperson Indra Nooyi, Boeing Co's Jim McNerney and General Electric Co's Jeffrey Immelt.
Ahead of Obama's speech, the White House announced commercial deals worth over $15 billion that will also address the domestic constituency by supporting nearly 54,000 jobs in the US - a key issue in a recession-hit America.
The deals include the purchase of as many as 33 Boeing-737 aircraft by the Indian budget carrier SpiceJet and an order on General Electric to supply 414 engines to power India's indigenous light combat aircraft.
Obama, who flies to New Delhi Sunday afternoon for talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with whom he has developed a close relationship, made a stirring impression on his hosts when he mixed freely with survivors and kin of the Mumbai attack victims that included six Americans.
But walking a tight diplomatic rope, Obama refrained from naming or alluding to Pakistan, a US ally New Delhi blames for the Mumbai terror attack.
From the Taj, Obama and Michelle reached Mani Bhavan, where his "hero" Mahatma Gandhi used to stay and which is now a museum, to pay tribute to the apostle of non-violence who has wielded enormous influence on African Americans.
After the 30-minute tour, a visibly moved president wrote: "I am filled with hope and inspiration as I have the privilege to view this testament to Gandhi's life. He is a hero not just to India but to the world."
Michelle wrote: "This visit will be one I will always treasure."
Obama leaves for Indonesia Tuesday.
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Obama salutes Mumbai, Gandhi as he begins India journey (Evening Roundup)
By Quaid Najmi and Mauli Buch
Mumbai, Nov 6: US President Barack Obama Saturday pledged to deepen counter-terror cooperation with India as he flew into the country at the start of a four-nation Asian tour, saluting Mumbai for its resilience and Mahatma Gandhi for rewriting history.
Standing in the very Taj Mahal hotel where Pakistani terrorists went on a killing spree two Novembers ago, with the historic Gateway of India monument in the backdrop, Obama paid homage to those who died in the 2008 terrorist savagery popularly referred to as 26/11.
The dead included six Americans - which Obama underlined. But walking a tight diplomatic rope, Obama refrained from naming or alluding to Pakistan, a US ally New Delhi blames for the Mumbai terror attack.
"Those who attacked Mumbai wanted to demoralize this city and this country but they failed," he said. "The very next day Mumbaikars came back to work... Within weeks, this hotel was welcoming guests from around the world."
All the while, Michelle, clad in a grey dress and sporting a string of pearls around her neck, stood gracefuly by his side.
In a memorial book, Obama wrote: "We will always remember the events of 26/11; not only the sorrow, but also the courage and humanity displayed that day. The US stands in solidarity with all of Mumbai and all of India in working to eradicate the scourge of terrorism, and we affirm our lasting friendship with the Indian people."
Within an hour of getting off from the US Air Force One after landing at 12.48 p.m., Obama and Michelle reached the Taj hotel, one of the main targets of the terrorists. From the airport, they first boarded a Marine helicopter and then took the Cadillac.
The Obamas are staying at the hotel as a sign of solidarity. They placed a white rose at the memorial to the victims of the Mumbai carnage -- a stone wall carved with the names of the dead and a tree sculpture.
Speaking with the Gateway of India and the Arabian Sea in the backdrop, the president said he would "never forget the awful images of 26/11" as the heavily armed terrorists went on a killing spree in Mumbai for three long days.
"Taj has been a symbol of strength and resolve. Mumbai has been a symbol of incredible energy and optimism," Obama said, addressing select families of the Mummbai terror attack, some survivors and hotel employees.
"I look forward to deepening counter-terror cooperation when I meet Prime Minister Singh," he said. "The US and India are working more closely together than ever to keep our nations safe."
From the Taj, Obama reached Mani Bhavan, where his "hero" Mahatma Gandhi used to stay and which is now a museum, to pay tribute to the apostle of non-violence who has wielded enormous influence on African Americans.
Obama and Michelle walked through the rooms filled with books, pictures and other memorabilia of Gandhi. The sense of history was palpable as they flipped through the bulky visitors' book.
After the 30-minute tour, a visibly moved president wrote: "I am filled with hope and inspiration as I have the privilege to view this testament to Gandhi's life. He is a hero not just to India but to the world."
Michelle wrote: "This visit will be one I will always treasure."
With great interest, Obama read the remarks written by American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, another hero of his and who visited Mani Bhavan in 1959.
The US president's maiden visit to India, coming days after the Democrats suffered stunning reverses in the American mid-term polls, focuses largely on Washington's hunt for markets and jobs.
Top American firms feel the visit will help improve market access for their goods and also go a long way in creating jobs back home - which tops the Obama administration's agenda.
Three out of six engagements on Day One of the Obama visit were business-oriented, underscoring the importance his administration attaches to bilateral economic ties.
Ahead of his visit, Obama said in an article in the New York Times that the US would explore ways to reduce barriers to its exports and increase access to the Indian market to find new customers for American goods.
Obama will reach New Delhi Sunday and leave for Indonesia Tuesday after two event-packed days in the Indian capital, including meetings with Indian leaders on subjects ranging from economy to the war on terror in Afghanistan. He will also visit South Korea and Japan.
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India, US finalise $5-bn defence pacts
Washington/Mumbai, Nov 6 (IANS) India and the US have reached agreements on two lucrative defence deals worth nearly $5 billion that will give employment to nearly 26,500 people in job-starved America.
According to a White House statement Saturday, US' Boeing Company and the Indian Air Force have reached a preliminary agreement on the purchase of 10 C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft and are now in the process of finalizing the details of the sale.
The statement came hours after US President Barack Obama arrived in India for a four-day visit during which the two countries are expected to finalise many trade pacts.
The statement said once all the heavy transport aircraft have been delivered, the IAF will be the owner and operator of the largest fleet of C-17s outside of the US.
"Each C-17 supports 650 suppliers across 44 US states and that this order will support Boeing's C-17 production facility in Long Beach, California, for an entire year. This transaction is valued at approximately $4.1 billion, all of which is US export content, supporting an estimated 22,160 jobs," the statement said.
India has also declared the lowest bidder and selected the US-based General Electric Company for a contract to provide the Indian Aeronautical Development Agency with 107 F414 engines to be installed on the indigeniously produced Tejas light combat aircraft.
"Upon finalizing the contract, General Electric will be positioned to export almost one billion dollars in high technology aerospace products. This transaction is tentatively valued at approximately $822 million, all of which is US export content, supporting an estimated 4,440 jobs," the statement said.
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SpiceJet to add 30 Boeing aircraft in its fleet
Mumbai, Nov 6: In a significant development, private Indian carrier SpiceJet announced the purchase of 30 Boeing aircraft in the presence of US President Barack Obama here Saturday evening, a senior official said.
SpiceJet has recently signed a deal to purchase 30 Boeing 737-800 state-of-the-art aircraft in a deal worth around $2.8 billion.
SpiceJet will deploy these aircraft, scheduled to be delivered over the next couple of years, on its low-cost services.
The announcement was made by SpiceJet chief B. Kansagara in the presence of Obama, union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Boeing India president Dinesh Keskar at a function at the Trident Hotel.
This is billed as one of the most important business deals which has been struck as part of the US president's visit four-day visit to India that began Saturday.
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Michelle Obama meets young fans in Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 6 (IANS) It was a "dream come true" for US First Lady Michelle Obama as she mingled with her young fans at the University of Mumbai Saturday evening.
Michelle tried to coax her audience -- comprising young Mumbaikars, runaways and orphans between the age of 8 and 13 -- out of their shell when she visited the university.
She played hopscotch, correctly spelled AMERICA - "I know that one. I live there" - and danced to the theme song from the Bollywood hit "Rang de Basanti".
She then threw the floor open for questions from the young audience.
"Do you guys want to ask any questions? Is there anything that you want to know... anybody?"
A little girl seated about five seats to Michelle's right chimed up: "I feel like my dream come true."
"You feel like your dream come true," an incredulous US First Lady repeated.
"Yes."
"Why? Because of me," Michelle wondered.
"Yes," the little girl exclaimed.
"No," was Michelle's rejoinder.
Undaunted, the girl again shouted: "Yes!"
"No, you are my dream come true," the US First Lady insisted.
"This is a dream for me," the girl persisted to peals of laughter.
The event was organised by the NGO Making a Difference (MAD). Michelle interacted with the children even as her husband, US President Barack Obama, was talking business with industry executives in another part of the city.
The Obamas are on a four-day visit to India Nov 6-9.
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US media hails Obama's India visit
By Arun Kumar
Washington, Nov 6 (IANS) Mainstream US media has underlined the importance of President Barack Obama's "passage to India", saying it comes at an opportune moment for both countries.
"Indians are still feeling anxious and insufficiently loved. But the trip is a clear a sign of the importance that Obama places on the relationship. As he should," said the New York Times in an editorial titled "Working With India."
"The Clinton and Bush administrations talked that way, too. President George W. Bush was so eager to woo New Delhi that he gave away the store in a 2006 nuclear energy deal," it said suggesting "It is up to Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take this complex relationship to a more sustainable level."
The San Francisco Chronicle editorially commenting on "President Obama's passage to India" noted that "over the past several years, India has become one of the United States' most important emerging economic relationships".
The Chronicle suggested "this will be more of a ceremonial trip than a substantive one."
"But even ceremonial trips can go a long way toward building relationships, and there are few relationships that will be more important to America's long-term future than this one," it said.
The Washington Post said: "It may look as if President Obama is fleeing the country for friendlier shores" after his Democratic party's rout in Tuesday's elections. "In fact, his tour of India, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea is important."
India, it said, "ought to be a focal point of US policy since it's a relationship that "is going to be indispensable to shaping the 21st century," as the White House puts it.
"Yet so far this administration's partnership with New Delhi has been less warm and productive than that of the Bush administration," the Post said.
It advised Obama to "offer Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the assurance that the United States is committed to maintaining stability in the region - beginning with Afghanistan - and that India will have US support in checking overreaching by China.
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Reliance Power signs $750 mn deal with General Electric
Mumbai, Nov 6: Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) firm Reliance Power Saturday signed a $750 million (Rs.3,500 crore) deal with US engineering major General Electric (GE) to procure turbines for its gas-based power project in Andhra Pradesh in the presence of President Barack Obama here.
The order to GE is for the capacity expansion of the Samalkot power plant from the existing 200 MW to 2,400 MW, which will create nearly 5,000 jobs in the US, Reliance Power said in a statement.
The total cost for the expansion is estimated at Rs.10,000 crore.
Reliance Power's partnership with GE and deals with other American firms would result in over $2 billion of manufacturing exports from US to India over the next two years, said the ADAG firm.
During the occasion, Obama said the deals barely scratched the business potential between the two countries and dubbed India as the market of the future, with Washington willing to step up investments in the country.
"This is defining moment in Indo-US energy cooperation," ADAG Chairman Anil Ambani said after signing the deal with GE Chairman Jeff Immelt.
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Obama for better ties in education sector
Mumbai, Nov 6: US President Barack Obama expressed the need for increased America-India partnership in the field of education, both in his speech at the Oberoi's Trident Hotel here and at a private meeting with a select group of people from Mumbai Saturday evening.
Among those present at the meeting with the select group was the head of Ryan International Group of Schools, Mumbai, Grace Pinto, who spoke about the contributions in the field of education in the US by her group in the past few years.
"I briefed him about our education projects in India and US, and other parts of the world. President Obama appreciated the efforts and said we were doing a great job," she said.
"He asked us to continue with the same zeal to spread education among the largest possible number of students, especially those from the deprived sections," a beaming Pinto old IANS.
The Ryan Group is the co-ordinator of the US-India Business Council's education initiative which has, among others, Pepsico chief Indra Nooyi as one of the advisory panel members, said Ryan Pinto, group chief operating officer, international operations.
