Barack Obama India Trip 2010
U.S. President Barack Obama visited India along with his wife Michelle in November 2010. The four-day trip, the longest international visit of his presidency at the time, was aimed at deepening economic ties between the two countries. The trip was considered to be a huge success and provided a boost to Indo-US relations. During the trip, Obama addressed the Indian parliament and emphasized on creating high-tech jobs in both countries. He also supported India’s bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
In a significant gesture of solidarity, the President’s plane Air Force One first touched down in Mumbai. President Obama and the entire US entourage, including 200 business executives, stayed at the Taj Hotel, the site of the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai in which 166 people including 4 Americans were killed. Addressing a gathering of kin of victims and hotel staffers who had survived the attack, the President stated, “There has been a great commentary on our decision to begin our visit here, in this dynamic city at this historic hotel. Those who have asked whether this is intended to send a message, my answer is simply absolutely.”
The President and his wife also celebrated Diwali (a major Indian festival) with school students in Colaba, Mumbai. This was followed by a town-hall style interaction with 300 students at St Xavier’s College, Mumbai.
The two governments signed deals in the areas of defense, nuclear partnership, energy research and military aviation. It was announced that deals worth about $10 billion were signed during the trip between US and Indian companies. These deals were expected to create more than 50,000 jobs in the US.
Many top business leaders from the US including Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo and Jeff Immelt of GE came to India to hear Obama and attend meetings with Indian corporate executives. Amritt’s Managing Director Gunjan Bagla, was the only Southern California executive who was part of this Presidential Executive Mission and was interviewed by the New York Times, BBC Television and National Public Radio during the President’s trip
Obama created a favorable impression among Indian business leaders and observers also lauded him for creating a great rapport with India early in his presidential term.
Strengthening business ties
Addressing a gathering of American and Indian business leaders in Mumbai, President Obama stated, “The relationship between the United States and India will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.”
In Delhi, President Obama also met the India-US CEOs Forum (comprising 12 CEO’s from each side) to discuss the challenges of doing business between the two countries. The list of CEO’s included Ratan Tata of the Tata Group, Indra Nooyi CEO PepsiCo, Mukesh Ambani Chief of Reliance Industries Limited and Vikram Pandit CEO Citigroup, among several other prominent Indian business leaders.
Support for India on important geo-political issues
In a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President Obama stated, “I don’t think India is emerging. It has emerged. India is a key actor on the world stage.”
Later in his address to the Indian Parliament on 8 November 2010, President Obama unequivocally endorsed India’s long-held demand for a permanent seat on the U.N Security Council. While he called on India’s neighbor Pakistan to bring those responsible for the Mumbai to justice, he also praised India’s efforts to improve relations with Pakistan.
Following the hugely successful 2010 trip, the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh travelled to the U.S. in September 2013 and the two leaders re-affirmed their commitment to bilateral cooperation on multitude of issues including defense, security, trade, investment, environment and higher education.
