E-Paper
Focus on economic ties: Sen
We will reach out to all sections of US society to explain the benefits of outsourcing, says the ambassador-designate to US in an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times.
The ambassador-designate to the US, Ronen Sen, will shortly take over in Washington. Soft-spoken and suave, he is one of our finest diplomats and has served as Indian envoy to the UK and Germany. He has set himself a goal for allaying fears in the US about the government’s economic policies. He plans to approach Indo-US ties with a fresh appro-ach that entails a focus on economic diplomacy with a human face. Excerpts from an exclusive interview with Saurabh Shukla.
Q You’ll take over in the middle of the US polls. Have you thought of a strategy if there is a change of guard, or are we keeping our bets open. What are your priorities?
A. I will take over at an important transitional time. It will be one of my most challenging assignments. I will engage both parties in the same breath... I can’t predict the result of the elections but I’m sure whichever party comes to power, the relationship with India will grow stronger.
Overall, I realise I will be serving in the capital of the predominant global military and economic power, which has a vibrant Indian-American community. I will focus on economic cooperation... substantially on increasing our trade turnover, which may be high from our perspective but is minuscule from the global standpoint.
Q But how different will your economic diplomacy be from that of the NDA?
A. My objective is that we have an economic relationship with a human face, which benefits all sections of Indian society by creating more employment and transfer of technology. We have to realise that reforms can be sustainable if they benefit all sections of society.
Q How different will this government's policy be? There is a perception that Indo-US ties may not be smooth?
A. Some nuances and rhetoric may be different. I have spoken to people across the political spectrum, including the Left. They realise the adverse impact a slowdown in Indo-US ties will have on our relationship with other countries. There are no inconsistencies in our policies. It is a relationship to which all parties attach importance and favour intensification of relationship in all areas.
Q How will you handle the outsourcing issue?
A. It is a worrisome trend. Outsourcing benefits both countries. There is growing realisation that outsourcing is a two-way street as it makes US firms globally competitive. We will reach out to all sections of US society to explain the benefits to the American people.
Q. What about hiccups in our strategic partnership on the civilian nuclear, defence, space cooperation fronts?
A. At the level of experts, we are trying to look for a common language. I am confident a solution will be found. As soon as we finalise the agreement, the process of strategic partnership will begin... we will have a building block approach and the trade in civilian nuclear field, defence, and space will begin.
Q. Any re-think on our support to the US National Missile Defence programme?
A We have to look at it and take a pragmatic approach when the time comes.
Q. What about Iraq?
A. We’ve made a financial allocation, we have a stake in the unity, territorial integrity and security of Iraq. I don’t foresee any difficulty in working with them, short of sending troops.
