Please permit me to submit a different point of view on the four million strong diaspora in USA and what it means for the official, government to government relationship. Some of this applies to diaspora in other advanced economies as well. These are now foreign citizens, bound by their Oath of Allegiance. If relations between India and USA sour, hopefully a passing storm, they simply cannot back us over USA. 2. What the diaspora can contribute to India’s well being is to invest part of their wealth in this country. Stocks. Bank fixed deposits. Real estate. Opportunities open to other foreigners as well, but the diaspora would have the advantage of greater familiarity. Set up businesses, joint ventures. 3. Diaspora lobbying the US government on India’s behalf sounds very problematic. So does expecting Indian – Americans to become a samosa caucus, pushing Indian interests with the US government. 3. Two major components of the India – USA partnership. The economic element is bound to grow, to the benefit of both countries. Trump tariffs hopefully not a permanent obstacle. The strategic domain is wound around China. Where congruence is not automatic or permanent. On Pakistan, a long standing Indian grouse that USA ignores our sensitivities on cross border terrorism. 4. At the moment, a tough phase. Stay calm.
Please permit me to submit a different point of view on the four million strong diaspora in USA and what it means for the official, government to government relationship. Some of this applies to diaspora in other advanced economies as well. These are now foreign citizens, bound by their Oath of Allegiance. If relations between India and USA sour, hopefully a passing storm, they simply cannot back us over USA. 2. What the diaspora can contribute to India’s well being is to invest part of their wealth in this country. Stocks. Bank fixed deposits. Real estate. Opportunities open to other foreigners as well, but the diaspora would have the advantage of greater familiarity. Set up businesses, joint ventures. 3. Diaspora lobbying the US government on India’s behalf sounds very problematic. So does expecting Indian – Americans to become a samosa caucus, pushing Indian interests with the US government. 3. Two major components of the India – USA partnership. The economic element is bound to grow, to the benefit of both countries. Trump tariffs hopefully not a permanent obstacle. The strategic domain is wound around China. Where congruence is not automatic or permanent. On Pakistan, a long standing Indian grouse that USA ignores our sensitivities on cross border terrorism. 4. At the moment, a tough phase. Stay calm.
When a country chooses to be poor, undeveloped, socialist, and corrupt, the world will open and shut its doors to it.