So what are the learnings from the Obama visit?
That the PM’s understanding of timing and occasion is indeed unique and laudable ( a meticulous figuring out of who fits in for what, and when…and then, how and where…and how much)
That India has chosen to be aligned with the US
That Modi needs Barrack more
That even the US President cannot escape Modi’s Mann Ki Baat
That the US and Obama cannot ever match India and Modi on engaging Non-Residents; Non-Resident Americans (NRAs) will never match NRIs
That Modi clearly has more energy than his younger counterpart (who admittedly has lost some of his mojo – he needs more sleep now)
That the civil nuclear deal is most symbolic of a US-India strategic intent
That clinching it has also been Modi’s bold message to the Congress/UPA…and to all Indians
That the ratcheting up of the Indo-US defence agreement(s) and actions could lead to the start of a new Cold War
That global-minded Indian industrialists, while still hedging their investment bets, are expecting their American counterparts to soon start ‘Making in India’; but they themselves will continue to hedge unless they are given generous handouts in the Budget and a further lowering of interest rates
That the media loves to pick on ‘essential trivia’…often missing the woods for the trees; helped equally by party spokesmen, who must ‘seriously’ comment on every (mis)statement or ‘lapse’ – thus making everything strategic!
That the arrangements at the R-Day Parade could have been better, having known well in advance of the possibility of rain
That Modi himself, and through him the US President and Michelle, could have been more enthusiastic in their appreciation of the Parade and the participants
That the Finance, Foreign and Home Ministers will stay limited to just their turf
That it is poor form to chew gum at State functions, especially away from home; that it is even poorer form to try and ‘slyly’ target your host, especially in his absence
That every dog does have its day…as did the one that nonchalantly strolled into Rashtrapati Bhavan, to check out the security just before the advent of President Obama!
That the Obamas may just become India’s Brand Ambassador Family come 2017.
Onwards to Modi in China…and Israel.
Vote for the aam aadmi of Delhi
After a wonderful strategic US-India R-Day intervention that augurs well for India’s future, it’s time to pad up for the 5 Year Test – in the Capital. So who should head Delhi? Congruence says BJP, Governance says AAP. For the benefit of the aam aadmi, governance should win hands down. It’s a local model that must be allowed to deliver…for a full 5 years. Modi and BJP will surely deliver for the country.
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