Apropos the editorial "Time for a rethink" (September 4), it is depressing that some Indian industrialists are approaching the US to compel the government to adopt pro-business measures to revive the economy. US policies, whether in war or commerce, are guided by high self-interest, though they are masked as steps to save democracies or help emerging economies. The recent nuclear deal with the US is essentially to provide a market for idle US suppliers. The curb on engaging Indian software specialists in the US is also for the same purpose. To expect that country to assist our businesspersons to revive their dwindling fortunes would be, if at all, essentially on US terms.
Besides, barring a few noteworthy exceptions, our business community was also guided by self-serving strategies. However, after 1991 they got new wings and more confidence to promote India as a model of fast growth. They prospered and went abroad. In this context, their current request to the US to help them is out of tune with their new image. They should have desisted from this. But this is a warning sign for our government - our enterprises have become desperate and must be provided with requisite infrastructure and opportunity to make full use of their business acumen.
Y G Chouksey Pune
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