India: mysteries of the Indian Establishment is its one-sided love affair with the US

The Economic Times

PM Modi's US Visit: Indians love the people of the US, but is the reverse also true?
26 Sep, 2014, 05.04AM IST

By: Vinod Mehta

One of the great mysteries of the Indian Establishment is its one-sided love affair with the US. When Manmohan Singh told 'the worst US president in history', George Bush, "the people of India love you", he may have sounded dotty but he was mostly accurate. The people of India do love the people of the US. The question to ask is whether the reverse is also true.

As I write, breathless Indian journalists journeying excitedly to New York on their own expense — Mr Modi refused to give them a free ride — report extravagantly on our prime minister finally being allowed entry into the sacred land where the pursuit of happiness is a constitutional right. Now, I don't wish to be critical of my colleagues, but their hoopla and hype in covering the 'historic visit' is completely over-the-top.

Hack-a-thon

No detail is unworthy of mention. What will Modi wear: frenzied speculation prevails whether we will get a chance to see him suited-booted since his designated designer, Troy Costa, doesn't do ethnic wear. What will he eat: not much, it turns out, except sip lime juice. Who will he meet: small fry, if you exclude Barack Obama, and no Nawaz Sharif. Where will he stay: in a suite at the Taj's Pierre. How many receptions will he attend and what is the entry fee for seeing Modi at Madison Square Gardens?

So many critical questions, all answered lovingly at prime time. Incidentally, it is worth pointing out, our press corps was conspicuous by its absence in Japan and China — countries less 'sexy' than America but more useful from our perspective.

When I wrote one-sided love affair, I meant the country we are wooing appears indifferent to our charms. Indeed, it has always been indifferent. A former ambassador, Rajiv Dogra, says, "An intensely self-absorbed nation, the US can pick up a new ally or casually discard a trusted one."

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