"treat us the way we treat you"

This is what the US President George W. Bush told an audience in the American state of Ohio a few days ago. A lot of important matters feature in the leader's agenda, the topmost being the nuclear deal which I have talked about earlier in my blog. Other important matters include the strengthening of trade relations between the two countries. The above quote was made by the President in this regard.

Treat us the way we treat you: Bush to India

S President George W Bush took his message of a more competitive America back to the nation's heartland and promised to tell India during a visit next month that the he expects fair dealing in the two countries' expanding trade relationship.

Bush added, "I'm going to India at the end of this month, and I'm going to make it clear with the Indians: 'We look forward to trading with you, but just treat us the way we treat you.' That's all we ask."

"People see China and India out there looming as competitors, and the reaction with some is: let's don't compete; let's just kind of shut her down; let's get protectionist; or, why don't we isolate?" he said.

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But thank you for the concern Mr. President. I appreciate this call for equality, but the cynic in me can't help but conjure up these images of equal treatment that India should ideally dish out to the superpower. I think we should begin by a strip search of his staff at the New Delhi Airport, you know, regular security procedure, nobody should read anything deeper into it at all. The CISF should well make it be known that they were merely following regulations and we have nothing but love for the visiting dignitaries.

But of course this is only a part of the equal treatment that India should offer to the humble Americans. I think it would help to refuse visas to some staff members of the Presidential entourage because of their involvement in an activity that India considers against the well being of the world. This could include a scientist, or a top diplomat maybe, but of course this does not take away any of the respect we have for the world's superpower.

I mean I totally understand where the US is coming from when they refuse visiting visas to India's two most prominent scientists. Of course it is definitely not to send a message out to the Indian scientific establishment, I am sure it is merely diplomatic red tape somewhere.

The US, I am sure, is appalled by this minor inconvenience to a scientist who happens to be on the scientific advisory team of the Prime Minister of India.

"Not discouraging scientists' visit"

The U.S. Embassy said it regretted any inconvenience caused to Goverdhan Mehta, former Director of the Indian Institute of Science and Placid Rodriguez, former Director of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam.

"Although it is generally the U.S. policy not to comment on individual visa cases, the U.S. Embassy feels compelled to correct the inaccuracies regarding Prof. Mehta's application for a visa," the embassy said in a statement here referring to a media report in this regard.

With regard to Dr. Rodriguez, embassy spokesman David Kennedy told PTI that visa had not been denied to him although it got delayed because of certain reasons that are different from that of Prof. Mehta's case. The Embassy was in touch with Dr. Rodriguez and encouraged him to continue with the visa application.

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Thank you Prof. Mehta for salvaging some of the pride. While India shares America's concern of a rising China, I think India also needs to show the superpower that it must show some respect too in order to earn respect. I think theres a reason why the rest of the world hates the world superpower. Ahh, if only carpet bombing and torture cells could buy you respect. No, you need to stop sowing seeds of discord all over the third world for your own gain in order to do that.

Ex-don of IISc livid over denial of visa

“The Chennai US Consular officials spoke to me on Friday and wanted me to apply again for a visa. I told them to buzz off,” said a still-furious Prof Goverdhan Mehta, former director of Indian Institute of Science on Saturday.

The Consular office refused to grant a visa to Mehta for his visit to deliver a lecture at the American Chemical Society on Thursday. The reason cited was that he was hiding information, a hint that he was involved with chemical warfare and bio-terrorism.

“The US invented this problem (chemical warfare) and it’s for them to decide and look upon themselves,” said the world-renowned Organic Chemistry scientist from Bangalore.