The United States of America looks at China and India differently.
The ‘Big Brother’ enjoys better bilateral relations when it comes to trade and industry primarily because of its pro-active Chinese foreign policy.
Alternately, the US looks at India on a different plane as there are several commonalities. India being a large democracy like the US with freedom of speech and vibrant media, and certain other values are something that the US appreciates.
These were the thoughts expressed by Elizabeth Economy, a C.V. Starr senior fellow and Director for Asia Studies at the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), a think tank independent of the US Government, on her first visit to the City of Pearls.
Increasing Indo-US diplomatic ties augured well with India that was being recognised as an emerging power. “The relationship that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama share is encouraging. Mr. Modi has identified and adopted an activist foreign policy. He is very popular in America and his engaging speech has earned him fans,” she said.
Several areas
The member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the US said there were several areas that the US was keen on working with India.
Best infrastructure
Ms. Elizabeth said that Hyderabad had the best infrastructure in a general sense.
“I have travelled widely and seen several large cities across the globe, but I find warmth among people here that is hard to match. And students I interacted with at the Nizam’s College, Osmania University and Koti Women’s College came across as academically-inclined and enthusiastic enough to ask engaging questions,” Ms. Elizabeth said.
