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Obama might lose something else after winning applause at Indian Parliament

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U.S. President Barack Obama wound up his three-day visit to India on Tuesday, during which he met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other Indian leaders. The two countries also issues a joint communique stressing the strengthening of bilateral relations.

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pose for photo after a press conference at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, Nov. 8, 2010. [Partha Sarkar/Xinhua]

Local analysts think while the purpose of Obama's visit is to tighten U.S.-Indian relations and raise the U.S. influence in Asia, the U.S. president might lose something at the same time.

Obama brought "rich gigts" to India

Although the Indian government and media have been anticipating Obama's visit for a long time, they kept until the very end of the visit a cautious and conservative attitude toward what this visit could bring about. Before Obama came, local media warned India should not expect too much from this visit, because of the close military collaboration between the U.S. and Pakistan in Afghanistan. However, Obama brought "rich gifts" this time.

During the visit, Obama and Singh held formal talks and issued joint communiqu, saying the two nations will strengthen strategic partnership. Obama also addressed the Indian Parliament,declaring for the first time that Washington backs India's bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations, and asking Pakistan to get rid of "safe havens of terror" on its territory. The U.S. also unilaterally decided to ease restrictions on high-tech exports to India. Besides, the two countries announced 10 billion U.S. dollars of business deals, mostly being India's purchase of U.S. military and civilian aircraft.

Local media said that India has gained a lot from Obama's visit, first of all from his positive endorsement of India's bid for UN Security Council permanent member seat. Meanwhile, India will realize its dream of getting access to sophisticated U.S. technologies in armament and nuclear energy. The U.S. and India will also build a nuclear technology center in northern India's Hariyana state. The U.S. also promised to help India enter the Nuclear Supply Group.

Obama's visit accompanied by criticism

While it should be stated that the number of gifts Obama brought to India was many, this has failed to delight all Indians. Although Obama won the joy of some Indians for his speech, criticizing voices can also be heard immediately.

The left-wing Communist Party of India (Marxist), which had boycotted visiting U.S. presidents' address to Parliament in the past, this time reluctantly attended the session. Its political bureau member Sitaram Yechury said although Obama spoke on a range of issues "but there is nothing tangible".

Communist Party of India (CPI) national secretary D. Raja said the U.S president in his address to Indian parliamentarians was " pursuing the known US positions and protecting the interests of his country". CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta was critical of the U.S. for overlooking the state of "suffering and poverty in the world because of the U.S. policies", as basic rights like food and education are essential for international cooperation.

Meanwhile, Indian media believe always economic elements occupied a greater part of the agenda of Obama's India visit, proof being that he told the media in Mumbai that the 10 billion dollar deals would create 50,000 jobs back in the U.S..

During Obama's visit, hundreds of victims and their families in the 1984 Bhopal industrial disaster demonstrated in the capital, demanding compensations for the huge tragedy caused by the U.S. Union Carbide company.

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