On Board Air India 001

4

Tweet

Deal-ing with expectations

Here were are, taking off on one of the longest Prime Ministerial trips in recent times-eight days, including three days in transit--as we go Delhi-Geneva-Washington-Port of Spain-Geneva-Delhi. The trip is itself going to be all about the atmospherics, I am warned. The powerful symbolism of the Indian Prime Minister being welcomed as the first State Guest of the Obama White House; the symbolism of two world leaders who share great vibes and two countries poised to leap forward in their relationship, should be enough, say the diplomats to stop us looking for the one big deal that will cement the visit. Is it? So far it seems the biggest one will be the finalizing of the reprocessing agreement (yes the nuclear deal is still not done!) when they meet.

Desis in the House

Already, the number of visitors to the state banquet has crossed 400, forcing the White House to move it out of the White House and onto the green lawns outside. Outdoors in Washington DC in November? Brrrr. But I am told the cultural gala that will follow dinner will really warm it up- from Norah Jones and Indie-singer Falu (Falguni Shah) to a Bhangra Rap group, to even the possibility of A R Rahman making an appearance. The big question isn't whether the Obamas will break into Bhangra, it is whether the Sighs will!

Bonding over Betis

A lot of emphasis, as I said, is given to what Obama and Singh have in common- on the outside two very different people who seem to have hit it off in each of their three meetings so far. But look closer, they are both educated at the world's most elite institutions, come from very non-elite backgrounds, both are the first elected leaders belonging to minorities in their respective countries. Finally, says one American diplomat, the most powerful bond is that both have daughters--something Singh had in common with Bush too.

Flying down to Earth

Flying with the Prime Minister certainly sounds glamorous- the idea of driving up right to your plane, of cavernous legroom, of flowing champagne and caviar, and of free and easy access with all the Prime Minister's men, if not the PM himself. But alas, if it sounds too good to be true it normally is. To begin with, we're carrying our own equipment onto the plane, and that means up the entire flight of stairs. While the food is always fantastic, most of us are distracted thinking about the stories we need to file.

Finally as for access, far from easy movement- the press is kept firmly away from the PMO and the diplomat delegation. Once in a while an official will come out to give us a briefing, and if we're very, very lucky the PM will come out (increasingly his advisers feel that it's more 'democratic' for the Prime Minister to address the press on the ground, when more journalists can attend).

So what's the good part? When you put 30 journalists together in a confined space for between 8-10 hours, think of all the gossip! And as we stop in Geneva overnight- the gossip gets more delicious over cheese fondue and crème Brule.