It is time America opened a dialogue with Modi, who may well be India’s next PM: Eni Faleomavaega
After the Wharton Economic Forum scrapped Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s video address, he has drawn support from a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs. Eni Faleomavaega, a member of the Subcommittee on Asia and Pacific, has appealed to the U.S. to open a dialogue with Mr. Modi.
Mr. Faleomavaega, in his statement, opined that “it was time for the U.S. to open a dialogue with Chief Minister Narendra Modi of India’s Gujarat State who may very well be India’s next Prime Minister.”
He said: “The U.S.-India relationship is significant. It is one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century, and CM Modi is a leading figure.”
“CM Modi’s philosophy of bringing development to ‘the doorstep of every poor person, every farmer, every worker’ is a philosophy that transcends caste, culture, regional and religious differences and has led to a decade of unprecedented growth and development in Gujarat — a key State — which has contributed considerably to India’s economy,” he added.
He cited the recently concluded Vibrant Gujarat 2013 summit and several international automobile majors setting up factories in Gujarat and said: “It could be argued that Gujarat — an economic powerhouse — is now the global gateway to India.”
On the 2002 riots, Mr. Faleomavaega argued that while he was aware of the “2002 communal riots and sees eye to eye with the national and international community that what happened calls for justice and accountability, the fact remains that after an investigation that has been ongoing for almost a decade, India’s Supreme Court has not found any evidence against CM Modi. So I question the Supreme Court’s recent decision to allow for a new petition to be put forward.”
“I believe such action is politically motivated and that the U.S. should shift its attitude and extend the hand of friendship to CM Modi, just as the European Union and the U.K. are doing, given that CM Modi is the frontrunner among the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidates,” he stated.
“Now is the right time for engagement and I sincerely hope we will begin to engage sooner rather than later,” Mr. Faleomavaega said.
Keywords: Modi's Wharton address, Wharton Economic Forum
Even Hitler was a elected representative. His party brought prosperity to every German and had an industrial policy and success that is still the envy of Europe. So I suppose it is ok then if Modi and the BJP ignore the pogroms of the Godhra riots.
Eni Faleomavaega is a non-voting member of the US House of Representatives from the U.S. territorial region(not one of the actual United States) of American Samoa, population of about 57,000. His endorsement is irrelevant and as American Samoa has virtually no connection whatsoever with India, the basis or motivation behind his endorsement is questionable.
Mr.Narendra Modi is a person who cannot be snubbed for long. His
invitation cum cancellation to address a video conference with Wharton
School of Business, USA was a wrong and hasty ill-conceived managerial
decision taken by the organisers undermining the status of a dynamic
leader in India.
How much money is raised for Eni Faleomavaega?
Someone with sense rather than running with the rhetoric. India has to
step out to becoming a true democratic country (not Dynastocracy) by
electing a strong, patriotic, non-corrupt, Non Dynasty and philosophy
that transcends caste, culture, regional and religious differences yes
it is a philosophy that says let people take charge and move the country
forward, and keep the government out except to make sure that the
playing field is level.
Before anybody backs a cause or a person, he should know what happened
during Gujarat riots and what is happening even after ten years to
those victims of Gujarat riots of 2002. Claims of development are made
by Modi in the state, but the actual condition of development doesn't
show any improvement. An average middle class person living standards
have not improved at all in the last 10-12 years and the poor class is
suffering with more difficulties. School drop out rate is constantly
increasing as there are no toilets, libraries and playgrounds in
schools. An 8th standard student cannot read a complete line not only
in English but in his mother tongue Gujarati. Crime and corruption
have been rising in the last ten years. A controversial person should
not be encouraged to address US students and provide an opportunity to
white wash his negative image for his political mileage.
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