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As Obama warms India-U.S. relations, Canada watches with fingers crossed
By Rick Westhead South Asia Bureau
NEW DELHIDuring his much-hyped visit here, President Barack Obama has danced with school children, won points by praising Mahatma Gandhi and, in what will surely be seen here as the highlight of his trip, said the U.S. supports a permanent seat for India on the United Nations Security Council.
India has been mesmerized, and there are few corners of this nation of 1.2 billion that havent been immersed in news coverage of Obamas trip including the leafy grounds of the Canadian mission in New Delhi.
Indias economy is surging 9 per cent a year and Obama hopes to harness its new wealth in ways that will help to spur Americas flagging industries. Canadian diplomats here are firmly rooting for the U.S. president. Thats because if the U.S. increases its trade with India, diplomats and business leaders say, Canada stands to reap some of the benefits.
The Canadian and U.S. economies are so dependent on one another, although were like the junior partner in that relationship, said Olivier Courteaux, an expert on Canada-U.S. relations and an assistant history professor at Ryerson University.
Look at Canadas exports. Eighty-five per cent of them go to the U.S. If Obama is successful in India, its going to help Canada as well.
Obama had hoped to help Boeing finalize a $5 billion deal to sell 10 C-17 transport planes to the Indian government during his visit and while no pact has been announced, U.S. officials say they are confident an agreement will be reached.
Also in the works are plans by Boeing to bid for a $10 billion contract with India to replace old Russian-made fighter planes with new jets. That contract could be awarded next year.
Both Boeing deals could ultimately be wins for Canada. The aerospace company says it contributes $1 billion in business to Canadas economy and it employs 1,600 in Ontario, Quebec, B.C. and Manitoba.
Obama has also promised Americas support for India to join the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group,
a deal that has been endorsed by General Electric.
Indias inclusion in that select group could ultimately benefit Canada-based Cameco, the worlds largest uranium producer, and Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., the maker of CANDU nuclear reactors. India plans a drastic expansion of its nuclear power plants.
Even Canadas auto sector could benefit from warmer U.S.-India relations.
Last month, General Motors sold 10,051 vehicles in India, up 36 per cent over October 2009. Fords sales were up 161 per cent. Both companies have large Canadian operations that would benefit from more orders from India, diplomats here said.
As his three-day visit here drew to a close, Indian commentators were calling Obama's trip a success. The president was trying to charm his hosts by salting his speech Monday with Hindi phrases like Jai Hind, which translates loosely to Hail India.
He had an eager audience, particularly when he endeared himself to his hosts by criticizing Indias neighbour and rival Pakistan for accepting billions of dollars in military and civilian aid at the same time as its government foments terrorism.
When peaceful democratic movements are suppressed, as in Burma, then the democracies of the world cannot remain silent, Obama said in front of Indian leaders.
If I can be frank, in international fora, India has often avoided these issues. But speaking up for those who cannot do so for themselves is not interfering in the affairs of other countries. Its not violating the rights of sovereign nations. Its staying true to our democratic principles. Its giving meaning to the human rights that we say are universal.
Obama pledged to support a permanent seat for India on the United Nations Security Council, hoping to elevate the nation of a billion people to its rightful place in the world alongside an assertive China.
Obamas declaration, delivered to the pounding applause of Indias parliament members, was a dramatic show of respect to the powerful nation he hopes will play a key role in support of U.S. interests around the world.
But the nation likely wont attain permanent council status anytime soon, and the United States is backing its addition only as part of a series of council reforms that could be years in the making.
As Obama warms India-U.S. relations, Canada watches with fingers crossed - thestar.com
By Rick Westhead South Asia Bureau
NEW DELHIDuring his much-hyped visit here, President Barack Obama has danced with school children, won points by praising Mahatma Gandhi and, in what will surely be seen here as the highlight of his trip, said the U.S. supports a permanent seat for India on the United Nations Security Council.
India has been mesmerized, and there are few corners of this nation of 1.2 billion that havent been immersed in news coverage of Obamas trip including the leafy grounds of the Canadian mission in New Delhi.
Indias economy is surging 9 per cent a year and Obama hopes to harness its new wealth in ways that will help to spur Americas flagging industries. Canadian diplomats here are firmly rooting for the U.S. president. Thats because if the U.S. increases its trade with India, diplomats and business leaders say, Canada stands to reap some of the benefits.
The Canadian and U.S. economies are so dependent on one another, although were like the junior partner in that relationship, said Olivier Courteaux, an expert on Canada-U.S. relations and an assistant history professor at Ryerson University.
Look at Canadas exports. Eighty-five per cent of them go to the U.S. If Obama is successful in India, its going to help Canada as well.
Obama had hoped to help Boeing finalize a $5 billion deal to sell 10 C-17 transport planes to the Indian government during his visit and while no pact has been announced, U.S. officials say they are confident an agreement will be reached.
Also in the works are plans by Boeing to bid for a $10 billion contract with India to replace old Russian-made fighter planes with new jets. That contract could be awarded next year.
Both Boeing deals could ultimately be wins for Canada. The aerospace company says it contributes $1 billion in business to Canadas economy and it employs 1,600 in Ontario, Quebec, B.C. and Manitoba.
Obama has also promised Americas support for India to join the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group,
a deal that has been endorsed by General Electric.Indias inclusion in that select group could ultimately benefit Canada-based Cameco, the worlds largest uranium producer, and Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., the maker of CANDU nuclear reactors. India plans a drastic expansion of its nuclear power plants.
Even Canadas auto sector could benefit from warmer U.S.-India relations.
Last month, General Motors sold 10,051 vehicles in India, up 36 per cent over October 2009. Fords sales were up 161 per cent. Both companies have large Canadian operations that would benefit from more orders from India, diplomats here said.
As his three-day visit here drew to a close, Indian commentators were calling Obama's trip a success. The president was trying to charm his hosts by salting his speech Monday with Hindi phrases like Jai Hind, which translates loosely to Hail India.
He had an eager audience, particularly when he endeared himself to his hosts by criticizing Indias neighbour and rival Pakistan for accepting billions of dollars in military and civilian aid at the same time as its government foments terrorism.
When peaceful democratic movements are suppressed, as in Burma, then the democracies of the world cannot remain silent, Obama said in front of Indian leaders.
If I can be frank, in international fora, India has often avoided these issues. But speaking up for those who cannot do so for themselves is not interfering in the affairs of other countries. Its not violating the rights of sovereign nations. Its staying true to our democratic principles. Its giving meaning to the human rights that we say are universal.
Obama pledged to support a permanent seat for India on the United Nations Security Council, hoping to elevate the nation of a billion people to its rightful place in the world alongside an assertive China.
Obamas declaration, delivered to the pounding applause of Indias parliament members, was a dramatic show of respect to the powerful nation he hopes will play a key role in support of U.S. interests around the world.
But the nation likely wont attain permanent council status anytime soon, and the United States is backing its addition only as part of a series of council reforms that could be years in the making.
As Obama warms India-U.S. relations, Canada watches with fingers crossed - thestar.com
