Taking potshots at the state of Indian bureaucracy he said, "Bureaucracy should provide capital opportunity, stability, fairness and transparency to start businesses, and not be experts in setting up roadblocks."
"I don't know if you guys came in boats or amphibious vehicles of some kind... but I salute you." That was John Kerry, US secretary of state, addressing students of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi. The tiny auditorium in the main building of the campus was jam-packed with those who had gathered to hear him, but Kerry was nearly an hour late after his carcade was once again stuck in Delhi traffic as heavy rains led to water-logging on roads.
Laced with a hint of sarcasm at the increasing importance placed on grades while seeking admission to IITs in the country, Kerry said that he had refrained from carrying his Maths and Science grades to India. "We welcome students who are denied admissions in IITs with open arms in America at institutes like the MIT or CalTech," said Kerry.
Throwing a challenge to India, Kerry said the country needs to create 13 million jobs every year and will need to start giving freedom to persons who want to start business here. "By 2030, India will become globe's highest populist nation, but South Asia will remain the least interconnected market in the world," he quipped.
Taking potshots at the state of Indian bureaucracy he said, "Bureaucracy should provide capital opportunity, stability, fairness and transparency to start businesses, and not be experts in setting up roadblocks."
Kerry refrained from commenting on any questions related to the impending results of the US elections or that on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's antics. "I'm in no way involved in the US polls, so no election questions please," he smirked.
Commenting on India's pattern of energy consumption, Kerry said, "While the world is moving away from coal, India is the only country which will increase its coal use looking further. For US, it has been difficult to provide India with cost-efficient alternatives, but we are looking at working on it."
Taking a sharp dig at Pakistan on terrorism, he said, "It is clear that Pakistan has work to do in order to push harder against its indigenous groups that are engaged in terrorist activities. They must work with us to help clear sanctuary of bad actors who are affecting not only India-Pakistan relationship but also our ability to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan."
Also on South China Sea dispute, Kerry said the judgment of the International Tribunal is binding on China and Philippines. There is no military solution to the dispute, he added.
The 200-odd audience, including news persons, was insisted upon to be seated in the auditorium by 8 am, citing security measures, Kerry's earlier slated address at 10 am commenced nearly an hour late. As the rains lashed through the entrance gates, the security staff had a tough time salvaging the makeshift tents built towards the media entrance, which were almost on the verge of collapsing. The rains delayed Kerry's address and subsequent discussion, as a result of which he had to later cancel his trip to historical religious monuments of Old Delhi.
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