Some In India Feel Slighted By Obama

Washington Post: Country's Press Questions Why It Took A Week For U.S. President-Elect To Connect With Indian PM

(Washington Post)  This story was written by Emily Wax.

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In the days after Barack Obama's historic victory, Indians began to sound just like a long-suffering South Asian mother nagging her son abroad: Why haven't you called?

The U.S. president-elect had spoken to 15 world leaders, Indian newspapers reported, including Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, the leader of India's on-again, off-again adversary, with whom Obama was said to have chatted for 20 minutes.

So when Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh still hadn't connected over the weekend, newspapers and TV talk shows were filled with bruised feelings over what has been dubbed "the no-call incident." "Obama snubs India," read a headline on the OneIndia news portal.

"You found time to call Pakistan," chided Azhar Usman, a visiting Indian American stand-up comic performing at a New Delhi college campus Sunday. "Why not call India?" he said, wagging his finger. "We are waiting."

The issue loomed so large that Singh addressed the flap Tuesday, explaining that Obama had attempted to call him Saturday. Singh said he had been unable to take the call because he was on his way to Oman and Qatar.

Asked by an Indian reporter why Obama had chosen to "ignore India," Singh said: "That is not true. What happened was we could not establish contact because the time suggested was too short for us to interact. And I was traveling."

The prime minister's office announced plans for "a telephonic conversation" with Obama within days or hours. Early Wednesday, the long-awaited call finally took place.

"The prime minister said that relations between India and the United States were very good, but that we could not be satisfied with the status quo," said a statement released by Singh's office.

Singh congratulated Obama and said his victory would inspire "oppressed people" all over the world, sources in the prime minister's office said. He also invited Obama and his wife, Michelle, to visit India.

Obama praised the contribution that Singh had made to India's progress as a former finance minister and as the country's current leader.

The perceived slight highlights a certain ambivalence here about Obama. The Indian government has enjoyed close relations with the Bush administration, which helped it secure an unprecedented and controversial nuclear deal this year, ending its isolation on the issue.

"Often reviled as America's worst president, Bush was New Delhi's darling, courted irrespective of the popular mood," said a cover story in India's Outlook magazine last weekend.

Although many Indians celebrated Obama's win as historic, some said they were nervous about his views on outsourcing jobs to India. Obama has said he would offer financial incentives to create jobs in the United States. There is also dismay over the idea Obama has floated of sending a third-party mediator to the disputed region of Kashmir.

"India is watching closely what will happen on these issues," said Mahesh S. Panicker, a political analyst in New Delhi. "There is a mood of caution, and that's why there is chatter over the communications."

Still, many Indians said they were not worried about the no-call incident. It was Indian astrologers who first predicted victory for Obama, they said, and Obama boosted his popularity among Indians when he mentioned the Gandhi poster hanging in his office and the tiny figurine of Hanuman, the Indian monkey god, that he carries.

"We are making a mountain out of a molehill. We are a great nation and a global player. So we don't become lesser or greater because of a phone call," said Lalit Mansingh, a former ambassador to the United States. "Let's give this situation the benefit of the doubt."

[talkingham]

He probably tried to call but got caught up in ATT''s Indian polite but fumble mouthed tech support.

[rational_1]

Well I haven''t received MY call either and I''m started to get a bit steamed. Doesn''t Obama have anything better to do than yack endlessly just to satisfy some egos?

[renonv5]

Yes, it is so important not to snub India. They own every single gas station, dunkin donuts, convenience store and (who knows what else)all across America, in every small town, on every corner.

[omega40]

Well I haven''''t received MY call either and I''''m started to get a bit steamed. Doesn''''t Obama have anything better to do than yack endlessly just to satisfy some egos?

Posted by rational_1

He called me, but I was watching football with a beer in my hand and I let the answering machine pick it up.

[bobertbobert]

I''m reminded of the Arabian Nights; the ruler dies and immediately his harem asks " why has our new ruler not called me first to lay with him"? Patience, patience and much will be revealed.

[ioweign]

BTW, which of those photos is Obama? I mean, I''''ve seen him in many turban photos, so I''''d like to be sure.

Posted by michaelt3022 at 10:14 AM : Nov 13, 2008



The more Republicans talk, the more they become irrelevant...

[ozonmojo]

This piece of news is typical media drivel.By raising the "issue " of Obama not calling India the Indian leftist press is just trying to needle the Manmohan Singh government there.Otherwise, Manmohan is the kind of guy who will have a dozen Obamas for breakfast.

[john6pack]

Offshoring to India is the number one job killer in USA. That have been the main reason I voted for Obama since the primaries.
If he flips he won''t have my vote next time.

[smithtyler2]

DJ_IL

thanks dude

[deathofusa]

Although many Indians celebrated Obama''s win as historic, some said they were nervous about his views on outsourcing jobs to India. Obama has said he would offer financial incentives to create jobs in the United States. There is also dismay over the idea Obama has floated of sending a third-party mediator to the disputed region of Kashmir.


India. You have nothing to worry about. The only types of jobs Obama will create will be government jobs. Obama will run corporations out of America and right into your hands. Not to worry India. Keep moving.

[gangesdak]

Considering that many Indian Americans with their new found money supporting whole heartedly for McCain and his (phony) tax reduction (also against Obama bacause he is black), it is surprising that many indians are now feeling slighted by Obama.

[likeitis5050]

We can''t be BFFs if you don''t call me FIRST!! This whole phenom is just too much...how much sunshine can one man have blown up his azz before the radiation factor kicks in?

[likeitis5050]

If he flips he won''''t have my vote next time.


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Posted by John6Pack

you mean the pre-election flipping wasn''t enough...how about the flipping immediately after his acceptance speech...or 2 days later. Flipping is a given and it isn''t a surprise to any one except those who swallowed.

[oleander8]

"Posted by deathofUSA "

My Gawd! Give Obama a chance - he hasn''t even taken the oath yet...what makes you so pseudo smart?

[easeup-2009]

Maybe he had a computer issue & called Gateway''s tech support. After hanging up he probably thought he killed 2 birds with one stone.

[easeup-2009]

Posted by MaharajaG at 11:13 AM : Nov 13, 2008

You can''t polish a ***.

[thuderstone]

India is too sensitive about their nationalism. And they complain about Pakistan all the time. What, your Indian students did not get enough free rides in American universities is that what? Mr. Obama should be extra careful when dealing with the Indians, their selfish and pride drive their egos through the roof.

[colt8881]

Looks like the World Leaders are looking FWD to working with OBAMA and getting rid of the Bush Administration.

[thuderstone]

Obama should have an U turn on Bush and Rice''s Indian policy, what they mean by win-win is for only India and for the Indians. American should use China and Russia and Japan to counter balance the Indians, because they are full of themselves.

[us_1776]

India, please don''t worry. You are a great ally. Right now Pakistan is a serious problem and requires a great deal more attention. What is important is that both India and Pakistan put their decades old border dispute in hibernation for now. Everyone needs to be focused upon getting rid of this disease of extremism that has swept this part of the world.

[paidgopshill]

Theya are on TOP when it comes EDUCATIONS. Americans are actually stupids when it comes to studies of science, biochemistry, robotics. THE FUN PART IS THAT WHEN IT COMES TO REAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE SPELLING CHECK GRAMMER ... IT IS ALWAYS AN INDIAN OR ASIAN THAT WINS...

Posted by MaharajaG


(Tee-hee)

[docpeter1953]

From the above article, ''You found time to call Pakistan," chided Azhar Usman, a visiting Indian American stand-up comic performing at a New Delhi college campus Sunday. "Why not call India?" he said, wagging his finger. "We are waiting."''
_________________

Obama did call, he dialed one of those computer companies 800 call centers, but they wouldn''t put him through to the second tier to fix the problem. They kept blaming some other software problem, not their''s.

[divitius]

This is idiotic. The man is kinda busy right now. Geez.

[notmudrose1]

hey india, don''t have a cow, man.

[fedup_w_pols-2009]

Don''t sweat it India in a few years or less millions of Americans will also feel slighted by Obama.

[superdem]

As usual, you right wing trolls have to prove that you have no class and can only call foreign people names. Of course, you are all good Christians, right ? Jesus loves your hatefulness, right ? Most of you have never been ten miles away from the place of your birth, but you know all about the world, right ? If you are going to throw terms like "Mujahedeen" or "turban" around, you might learn to spell them, someone might think you are ignorant. For some, English is a second language, but what''s your excuse ?

[thuderstone]

Indian are only good at pushing papers and bargain someone to death. I remember several month after I canceled my ISP, they called me and want to charge me for Norton. I told them I don''t even have the stuff installed on my computer, and after going thru with their managerial staff, finally they understand I owe them NOTHING. Yeah, that''s right, NOTHING!
My question with MaharajaG is, do you think you Hindus are better than the Jews? I think you already knew your answer.

[ramos937]

Who cares????

[thuderstone]

Who cares????

Posted by ramos937 at 02:55 PM : Nov 13, 2008

Red Blooded Americans do. American enginerring students do, white collar workers do, and your future job boss do.

[caliengineer]

That''s what happens, Ohalibalah, when you prostitute yourself out to every lying tongue and every roaming hand.

[thuderstone]

MaharajaG,

Are you on Paxil or are you just exrta happy today? You think you can laugh at AIPAC!

[beauin]

I am an Native American, I find it offensive that you call Eastern Indians just Indians. Please my ancestors have been here for 500 years, not just 200.

[burneb]

Too bad, but Pakistan in deeply involved in our Afghanistan adventure. It makes sense that they would be one of the first countries Obama would contact, before India.

n.b. we call people in India Indians because that is what they call themselves.

[thuderstone]

Posted by beauin at 03:07 PM : Nov 13, 2008

You have my sympathy, hopefully Mr Obama fight for BIA reforms right away. And turn the country around for every Native American suffering in this country.

[thuderstone]

I call the author of this story to be fired from Washington Post for treason.

[thuderstone]

I cannot wait for you to do (true and honest)research on "India & Israel" on internet...... this will make an Indian laugh at you even harder.

Posted by MaharajaG at 03:17 PM : Nov 13, 2008

I have been screwed by AIPAC once, and I am Mao''s relative, I don''t think Indians, especially Hindus have genuine protection from AIPAC. I don''t need to search the internet, what I been through you will not find on the internet. If you are not an Indian in high society, you will not have the oppertunity to talk. From what I hear, Boddy Jidal won''t have any chance against Obama in 2012, because Pakistan will fall into pieces and they will transer know how to Iran and AIPAC will not allow that.

[neonink]

Leave him alone... he was, still is, looking for a puppy..

My goodness, I hope he picks his cabinet faster than he can pick a dog.

[neonink]

Leave him alone... he was, still is, looking for a puppy..

My goodness, I hope he picks his cabinet faster than he can pick a dog.

[thuderstone]

Leave him alone... he was, still is, looking for a puppy..

My goodness, I hope he picks his cabinet faster than he can pick a dog.

Posted by neonink at 03:32 PM : Nov 13, 2008


President elect Obama does not equal to God, we must not treat him as such. He works for you!

[thuderstone]

The world never totally agree on anything pratical. I doubt Obama is going to focus his mind in foreign policy. I think this is totally depended on John Kerry. What this article should have said is whether John Kerry have called Prime Minister Singh or not. Obama being an smart man, would set priorities staright and fix the economic crisis which India is never helping much, I ask you Sir: "Does Indians want to buy Saab or Saturn?" until then, we may have some point to discuss, but otherwise, the balcony is closed.

[easeup-2009]

Posted by MaharajaG at 03:17 PM : Nov 13, 2008

Don''t you have SlimJims to order & Slushies to make?

[thuderstone]

I say make India a parking lot via US nukes!

Posted by TheMasses10 at 04:05 PM : Nov 13, 2008

Park what? Have you thought about the radiation fallout? You are such a hater!

[deathofusa]

Okay, recess is over-back to 1st grade English class you camel jockey.
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Posted by TheMasses10 at 04:04 PM : Nov 13, 2008


Lol.

[ybotheratall]

Yeah. I''m going to be up all night worrying about poor India. Hey! If I''m up all night I can call to get some customer service and talk to someone from India! Nothing like talking to someone you can''t understand reading from a bad script.

[bobgee_1999]

Okay, recess is over-back to 1st grade English class you camel jockey.

- TheMasses10

How well do you speak or write Hindi or Urdu? Indicentally, your racist comments have been reported.

[thuderstone]

I don''t have an girlfriend, I am getting my GMAT done. but can you refrain from such hate speech. If I were you, I would worry if my blog gets highlighted by NSA software.

[deathofusa]

I would worry if my blog gets highlighted by NSA software.
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Posted by thuderstone at 04:21 PM : Nov 13, 2008


Holy smoke. The NSA is reading this? I guess I''m in trouble. Thanks for the heads up. Don''t pay too much attention to TheMasses10, he''s just a bully.

[thuderstone]

NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
www.NSA.GOV

[deathofusa]

"Posted by deathofUSA "

My Gawd! Give Obama a chance - he hasn''''t even taken the oath yet...what makes you so pseudo smart?
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Posted by oleander8 at 12:31 PM : Nov 13, 2008


Hey, when the president-elect of your country vows to bankrupt american corporations (coal) and spread the wealth of others, one thing is going to happen... they will leave America by the boatload. Doesn''t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Why do you thing the stock market is plummeting? Could it be that the president-elect has vowed to increase capital gains taxes? Hmmm. Americans will pull out their money and business and the only one able and willing to employ anyone will be the Obama administration. Simple.

[deathofusa]

This makes you an accompliss. You are just as guilty. No bully here.
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Posted by TheMasses10 at 04:26 PM : Nov 13, 2008


Oh brother. Didn''t your mother teach you to pick on someone your own size? Geez.