Barack Obama and Indo-US Relations: US official speaks at FMS Delhi

To understand more about this phenomenon and also their charismatic new leader, the US embassy in India organized a talk on Barack Obama & Indo- US relations on the 21st January, 2009 at the Faculty of Management Studies, New Delhi. Mr. John Davison, Economic Minister Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi came down to the FMS campus to share his insights on the topic.

Mr. Davison started off by speaking at length on the importance that Americans attach to the Presidential elections as it is the closest thing to royalty that they have known. The swearing-in ceremony has always been an event to look forward to for most Americans. However, this year even non Americans look keen interest in the event making it a truly International event.

The youth especially have taken to President Obama a natural development with him being the youngest US President since the days of the legendary John F Kennedy. But its not only Obama but also his young family that has infused a fresh dimension to the image of the Presidency.

Mr. Davison then went on to Mr. Obamas inaugural address, discussing the major points that were made. A good part of the address was devoted to the present financial crisis making it the single most important task ahead of the new president. Mr. Obama stressed on the need to find solutions from within rather than looking outward for quick fixes.

Mr. Davison emphasized on how President Obama has looked to reach out to the Muslim world and start afresh from the policies of the previous regime. He also mentioned India and the need to work closer with the largest and oldest democracy of the world.

The questions that followed were of a mixed variety ranging from environment policies to fiscal measures. Most of the students shared the hope and promise that Obama stood for and wanted a deeper understanding of what a change in regime meant for not only India but also the world at large.

Quite expectedly, the students were concerned about Obamas stance on the outsourcing issue as it very close to India. Similarly, there were plenty of questions on the steps that will be taken to stop the current financial meltdown and to tackle terrorism. Mr. Davison tried to answer all the questions in detail and to the best that he could.

Mr. Davison ended by touching the sticky topic of Pakistan and left the satisfied gathering to ponder over the various issues that were discussed.

Mr. John Davison began his service as Economic Minister Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi in August, 2006. Mr. Davison served twice at the U.S. Mission to the U.N., first as Political Adviser on Iraq and the Middle East (1997-99), and subsequently as Deputy U.S. Representative on the U.N. Economic and Social Council (2000-3), where his section led negotiations to the U.N. Conference on Financing for Development; the Childrens Summit and the World Summit on Sustainable Development.