Click to play videoNew York: New York-based singer musician Falguni Shah has bagged an invite to the hottest ticket in Washington next week – the first state dinner hosted by US President Obama administration. And she's thrilled that the event will be in honor of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“It's just a statement that India has arrived on a global scene and I think Washington is paying attention and acknowledging the fact that India is a superpower, economic power and political power in the 21st century, “ said Falguni.
However, the pride in this symbolic honor for India is tempered with a dose of realism. Indian Americans haven't forgotten former President George W Bush's nuclear deal to connect with the Indians but do not see such an agreement chalked out this time around.
President and COO, Apple Core Hotels Vijay Dandapani said, “ It’s 180 degrees opposite. I mean one had enunciated clear goals and set out to achieve them most notably the civilian nuclear agreement, but also in commerce. This one, on the other hand, has articulated nothing other than a broad general desire on climate change, cap and trade and those kinds of things, which really are not in India's best interests at this point.”
Even those who supported President Obama during his election campaign last year, aren't convinced. They want Obama to act tough.
Writer Suketu Mehta said, “This comes around the time of two really important anniversaries, the first of course is the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Mumbai and I think one of the things that Manmohan Singh should press Obama on is for the Pakistani government to really track down the people who ordered those attacks. Justice needs to be done and I think a little bit of pressure at the state dinner might help. The other is the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy, which is the world's greatest unresolved disaster.”
While much has been made of the fact that President Obama's first state dinner is honoring the Indian Prime Minister, the Indian American community will wait to judge the Obama administration's approach towards India by what it brings to the table in its bilateral dialog with the Indian side.
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