Despite the hype generated over the visit of US President Barack Obama, the first joint agreement signed between the two nations was on the nuclear deal, followed by military engagements generating billions of dollars in revenue for American businessmen back home. They hold nothing for ordinary citizens of this country, by way of reducing poverty, creating jobs or enhancing their living standards. Meanwhile, issues such as intellectual property rights and accountability of nuclear suppliers group are still hanging fire. Since not an iota of change is going to take place on the ground in the wake of these agreements, excitement over the new paradigm shift in the Indo-US relationship is grossly exaggerated.
Obama's offer of investing $4 billion in India is tokenism that can be summed up as a favour for India for offering business on a platter. Though both Narendra Modi and Obama are said to have enjoyed a good personal rapport, the remarks from the visiting dignitary on religious tolerance exposed the true feelings about India.
R Prabhu Raj Chennai
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