Standing in stark contrast to the imposing American with that brilliant felicity with words, Singh stood his ground emphatically on several issues.
US president Barack Obama announced the arrival of India on the world stage as the US’s equal partner in unequivocal terms on Monday, but it was prime minister Manmohan Singh who sealed the status with a mark of authority.
Standing in stark contrast to the imposing American with that brilliant felicity with words, Singh stood his ground emphatically on several issues.
Addressing a joint press conference in New Delhi, Obama sought to dismiss the contentious outsourcing issue as “a stereotype that had outlived its usefulness”.
The Indian prime minister hit back, saying “India is not in the business of stealing jobs from the US”.
Under criticism from several quarters in India over his anti-outsourcing stand, the US president said the mega commercial projects signed during his trip has created a win-win situation for both.
Both the countries matched up to each other with regard to gains. Some of the deals announced recently would create thousands of jobs in America but they would open up opportunities and employment in India as well, he added.
Singh said outsourcing was never a one-way street. “Outsourcing (work to India) has helped improve the productive capacity and productivity of America.”
Displaying his witty side, Obama said the he “advertised” about creating 50,000 jobs for the US from the $10 billion deal with India as he should be able to give a reply to his people if they ask why he was wasting his time in India.
The US president is believed to have ensured deals and MoUs across several sectors, including space, defence, high-end technology, clean energy, health, agriculture, education and weather.
On Kashmir, Obama said it was a long-standing dispute between India and Pakistan and it was in the interest of both Pakistan and India to reduce tension in the region. The Indian prime minister said India was not afraid of the `K’ word, and would be happy to resolve regional issues.
“But, we cannot be talking (with Pakistan) to resolve issues while the terror machine is active,” Singh added.
To a question on India’s vision in the world economic order, Singh spoke of sustaining a GDP growth rate of 9 to 10% in the next three decades. “For that, the help of the US is of enormous significance,” Singh said.
He emphasised on a growth era that does not encourage protectionism. Welcoming American investment in India, he said, “A trillion dollar worth of investment is needed for the infrastructure sector in India over the next five years. It is here that India can help.”
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