Posts
THE BOTTOM LINE
Obama's visit to India more than just symbolic
By Leon Hadar 23 January 2015
IN
a discussion on a recent CNN news panel, an American reporter
commenting on US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to India argued
that it was the kind of non-essential foreign travel that lameduck
American presidents conduct during their last months in office. "He's
going to India basically for a parade and a visit to the Taj Mahal,"
said the reporter Julie Pace.
Indeed,
it is not surprising that some observers such as Ms Pace are
downplaying Mr Obama's second visit to India and describing it as
nothing more than a huge media event full perhaps with symbolism, but
having minimal impact on the substance of the relationship between New
Delhi and Washington.
But
sometimes the images produced by media events can be so powerful that
they overwhelm simple policy considerations. Even if one disregards the
important business deals or military agreements that are announced and
signed during visits by American and Indian leaders to each other's
capital, the sense of diplomatic momentum that such trips create is very
powerful in terms of its impact on their respective publics and elites.http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion/obamas-visit-to-india-more-than-just-symbolic
No comments:
Post a Comment