DATE=3/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA - CLINTON (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260311
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
Intro: President Clinton arrives in India Sunday, and
begins his official five-day trip to India on Tuesday
following a one day visit to Bangladesh. In the Indian
capital, New Delhi, Anjana Pasricha spoke to a cross-
section of Indians to see what the visit signifies for
them.
Text: An American President is arriving in India for
the first time in more than two decades- a period in
which many Indians were unhappy with what they saw as
the United States "tilt" toward Pakistan in the Cold
War years.
As President Clinton begins his South Asian visit,
there is an air of hope among Indians that times have
finally changed. But this is tinged with uncertainty
about what the visit will actually mean for the
country.
India's growing middle class, which is anxious to play
a larger role in the global economy, wants both sides
to put divisive political issues behind them - and
focus on the business potential of the relationship. A
senior corporate executive,Varun Mehta, says most
people are not interested in issues such as nuclear
non-proliferation that have been a bone of contention
between the two countries.
///Insert Mehta act///
Yes it will be a very significant event, and will
definitely go to improve Indo-US relations, but to my
mind they should concentrate more on economic
and business issues rather than political issues,
which will of course have an impact once the relations
are on the right side, and business climate improves.
///end Mehta act///
Others hope the visit means that the world's two
largest democracies have finally found some meeting
ground. A chartered accountant, Vinod Chadha says for
him the visit symbolizes that "it's a multipolar world
and everybody
needs everybody."
///Insert Chadha act///
It's a very major milestone, and I think both sides
desire to come closer together. Atmosphere is now
very, very congenial. Both of them want
to improve the relationship, and there is no reason
why it should not work, because it seems to me both
have very common objectives, economically,
politically, the way they view the world.
///End Chadha act///
Many others are reserving judgement on the trip until
they hear what President Clinton has to say while in
India. Businessman Manjot Singh is not
sure that the visit will spell anything significant
for the country.
///insert Singh act///
He is the most powerful person in the world you know.
He is coming to this country, it's a great moment. Now
let's see, his coming, what difference it will make to
this country - is it just an eyewash coming and going,
or will
they do something concrete for our country.
///end Singh act///
But for millions of ordinary people, it is not the
political or economic
aspects of the visit that are either important or
interesting. Their imagination has been caught by the
massive preparations surrounding the
visit. People are avidly following media stories of
where the President will stay, what food he will be
served, whom he is likely to meet. They have been
fascinated by accounts of the huge security cover for
the tour, of bullet
proof cars, food, and mineral water being flown in,
and US Secret service staff taking over the hotels
where the President will stay in different
cities.
(opt)
A leading newspaper has even offered a prize for the
best joke on President Clinton sent to them - and many
like writer Purnima Dhir say this has become an
essential part of their morning reading.
///Insert Dhir act///
Frankly I am very amused by all the jokes that have
come out against him in
the newspapers. I thoroughly enjoy reading them.
///end Dhir act///
(end opt)
There is no doubt that as President's Clinton travels
through five cities, Indians will be following the
visit closely on their television sets -- looking
carefully for signals to see whether India and the USA
can share more in
this century than they did in the last. (signed)
NEB/AP/PLM
______________________________________________
18-Mar-2000 05:59 AM EDT (18-Mar-2000 1059 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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