A Publication of the Embassy of India, Washington, D.C.

December 1, 2011

I India RevieI w Vol. 7 Issue 12 www.indianembassy.org

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with US President Barack Obama at a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 9th ASEAN-India Summit and the 6th East Asia Summit in Bali, Indonesia, on November 18. “The bonds between our countries are not just at the leadership level, but they are, obviously, at the person-to-person level, given the extraordinary contributions of Indian-Americans to our culture, our politics and our economy” — President Barack Obama n India welcomes the n India signs n Senate India Caucus US, Russia to the Aviation Safety and House India Caucus East Asia Summit pact with the welcome Ambassador Process United States Nirupama Rao Cover STORY Prime minister manmohan singh meets with President Barack oBama rime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh met with President Barack P Obama at Bali in Indonesia on November 18. The two leaders addressed a section of the media before starting the delegation-level talks that took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit and the East Asia Summit. President Obama, who began by remembering his “extraordinary visit” to India “around the same time last year” and referring to Prime Minister Singh as his “dear friend”, said there was an “outstanding opportunity” to address a range of issues at the bilateral and multilateral levels. “Last year around this time, I embarked on what was an extraordi - nary trip to India, in which we contin - ued to strengthen the bonds, both commercial, on the security side, and strategic between the world’s two largest democracies.” “And since that time, we’ve contin - Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh meets with President Barack Obama on the ued to make progress on a wide range sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and East Asia Summits in Nusa Dua on of issues. The bonds between our Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on November 18. AFP PHOTO / Saul Loeb countries are not just at the leadership level, but they’re, obviously, at the This will be an outstanding opportunity for us to person-to-person level, given the extraordinary contributions of Indian- continue to explore how we can work together, not Americans to our culture, our politics only on bilateral issues but also in multilateral fora, and our economy,” President Obama, like the East Asia Summit... with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — President Barack Obama and other senior officials by his side, told Prime Minister Singh. “This will be an outstanding oppor - liability issue later, said in his opening world free from the threat of war, want tunity for us to continue to explore remarks that there “were no irritants and exploitation.” how we can work together, not only on whatsoever” in the working relation - The issues of Iran, Afghanistan and 2 bilateral issues but also in multilateral ship between India and the US extend - Pakistan also came up during the fora, like the East Asia Summit, which ing across “multiplicity of areas”. discussions between the two leaders. we believe can be the premier arena for Recalling President Obama’s “his - According to Secretary (East) us to be able to work together on a toric visit” to India, Prime Minister Sanjay Singh, who briefed the media, wide range of issues, such as maritime Singh said that “progress in every there was an exchange of views in security or non-proliferation, as well as direction” had been made during the the context of the International Atomic expanding the kind of cooperation on last year. Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Iran’s disaster relief and humanitarian aid,” “And whether it is in humanitarian nuclear development program. The President Obama said. relief and disaster management, Prime Minister, he said, laid emphasis Prime Minister Singh, who put maritime security — all these are on the need for a diplomatic resolution forward his views on the civil nuclear issues which unite us in a quest for a of matters.

December 2011 India Review Cover STORY Cooperation Agreement”. Dr. Singh informed the gathering that India’s Department of Space had revised its proposal for a five-year proj - ect for establishing a tracking and reception station and data processing facility for ASEAN countries and training of ASEAN personnel. “We have already offered to assist in the master plan on ASEAN ICT Connectivity and in particular on the establishment of an e-network in the 3 CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) countries for tele-medi - cine and tele-education,” he said. According to the Prime Minister, greater physical connectivity between India and ASEAN remains India’s strategic objective. “There are several Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the 9th ASEAN-India Summit at Bali in Indonesia on proposals under consideration with November 19. regard to land and sea connectivity. These include the India-Myanmar- Thailand Highway, its extension to ninth asean-india Laos and Cambodia and the develop - ment of a new highway also linking Vietnam.” summit concludes There is also a study on a Mekong- Terming India’s partnership with ASEAN as one of the India Economic Corridor, which pro - poses the linking of corridors in the cornerstones of the country’s foreign policy, Prime Minister peninsula, and possibly the northeast Dr. Manmohan Singh called for greater cooperation with regions of India with the East Asian ASEAN countries at the Summit region. India, he added, also welcomed cooperation on security issues. iving a renewed thrust to observed. Pointing out that the India- Discussions with ASEAN and India’s Look East Policy, ASEAN Free Trade Agreement for ASEAN-led forums have focussed on Prime Minister Trade in Goods had already come into maritime security, counter-terrorism, G Dr. Manmohan Singh effect, he said trade with the grouping training, exercises, and disaster called for greater integration with the had increased by 30 percent in management. 10-nation ASEAN through economic 2010-2011 to cross $50 billion. India, which has been holding annu - partnerships, greater physical connec - “With such a rate of growth we al summits with ASEAN since 2002, tivity, and cooperation in a number of should be able to achieve our target of will be hosting a special ASEAN-India fields such as science & technology Commemorative Summit in 2012. and space, at the 9th Association of India will be hosting a “This will be a historic occasion for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)- us,” Dr. Singh said, proposing India Summit on November 19. special ASEAN-India December 20-21, 2012, as the dates The Prime Minister said that India Commemorative Summit for the Summit. had forwarded a number of “coopera - in December 2012 In the run-up to the Summit, the tive projects” as part of the 82-point Prime Minister said India would be ASEAN-India Plan of Action for the holding the fourth round of the Delhi five-year period from 2010 to 2015 $70 billion by 2012,” the Prime Dialogue in February 2012 and and the $50-million ASEAN-India Minister said. meetings of the ASEAN-India Cooperation. “We look forward to an He sought support for early conclu - Ministers for New and Renewable early response from the ASEAN side,” sion of a “commercially meaningful Energy and Agriculture as well as an he said. services and investment agreement” to India-ASEAN Business Fair. An “Given the global economic down - create a “positive atmosphere for the ASEAN-India Car Rally and a sailing turn, there is today an even greater implementation of the India-ASEAN expedition will also be organized as urgency to our cooperation,” he Comprehensive Economic part of the Summit.

December 2011 India Review East Asia SUMMIT IndIa welcomes Us, RUssIa entRy Into east asIa sUmmIt PRocess At the 6th East Asia Summit held at Bali in Indonesia on November 19, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that ensuring rapid economic growth was the most enduring strategy that could help overcome the global economic slowdown

ongratulating the United States of America and the Russian Federation on their Cformal entry into the East Asia Summit process in 2011, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that their presence reflected the growing significance of East Asia in global affairs. Addressing the 6th East Asia Summit Plenary Session at Bali in Indonesia on November 19, the Prime Minister said their presence would enrich the discussions. “The East Asia Summit is the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with the East Asia Summit Heads of States at Bali in Indonesia on forum for building an open, inclusive November 18. and transparent architecture of regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. In a relatively short period it has taken several ini - tiatives to promote trade, economic integration and connectivity. It has facilitated collective responses to challenges such as natural disasters, pandemics, climate change and ener - gy security,” the Prime Minister said. Dr. Singh said that India fully sub - scribed “to the view that the East Asia Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh (extreme right) at the plenary session of the 6th East Asia Summit Summit process must be centered on at Bali in Indonesia on November 19. the ASEAN, and ASEAN should be its driving force”. East Asian economic integration and in the most enduring strategy that could Calling for full play to investment our efforts toward a Comprehensive help overcome the global economic and trade issues, Prime Minister Economic Partnership in East Asia slowdown. “We should keep our Singh said that India was finalizing a (CEPEA).” focus on the development agenda, Comprehensive Economic India was working actively to inte - make sure our growth is environmen - Cooperation Agreement with ASEAN. grate with this region, Dr. Singh said. tally sustainable, find new and renew - 4 The Prime Minister also expressed The Prime Minister added India had able technologies to fuel our growth concern over the Eurozone crisis and concluded similar agreements with and invest in education and skill hoped it would be resolved soon. South Korea, Malaysia and Japan. development. The East Asia Summit “Against the global economic back - “An agreement is already in place is ideally equipped to pursue such an ground that we are in, it is all the more with Singapore. We have commenced agenda,” he said. important that we give full play to negotiations for a CECA with The Prime Minister called for taking flows of trade, investment, services and Indonesia, Australia and New forward the Comprehensive Asian ideas among ourselves,” Dr. Singh Zealand,” the Prime Minister pointed Development Plan, prepared by the said. out. Economic Research Institute for “Howsoever complex the task, we Prime Minister Singh said that ASEAN and East Asia, to deepen should persevere with the project of ensuring rapid economic growth was connectivity in the region.

December 2011 India Review G-20 SUMMIT

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Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing a press conference at the G-20 summit at Cannes in France on November 4. The Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India, Montek Singh Ahluwalia (left), and the National Security Advisor of India Shivshankar Menon (right), are also seen. ‘ImF mUst keeP In mInd the lIqUIdIty ReqUIRements oF develoPIng coUntRIes’ At the conclusion of the two-day G-20 Summit in France, the leaders of the major developed and developing countries agreed to strengthen the resources of the International Monetary Fund and foster global growth

ddressing the G-20 crisis, but could nevertheless be Greece has upset these calculations. I Summit, which was held adversely affected as innocent hope ways can be found to manage the against the backdrop of the bystanders. situation so that a package can be put Asovereign debt crisis in the in place as quickly as possible. Eurozone, at Cannes in France, Following is the text of the Prime We welcome the initiatives taken in Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Minister’s address: the Eurozone to evolve innovative Singh on November 3 said that India “Mr. President, let me thank you for mechanisms to raise resources for the appreciated the efforts made in the the excellent arrangements made for European Financial Stability Facility “Eurozone to evolve innovative the Summit, and for your hospitality. and strengthen fiscal discipline mechanisms to raise resources for the We meet at a time when the global through intensive surveillance. This European Financial Stability Facility economy faces exceptional uncertain - goes some way toward addressing one and strengthen fiscal discipline ty. Our Summit will be judged by our of the known deficiencies in having a through intensive surveillance”. ability to deal with financial instability monetary union without fiscal union. While India supported the emanating from the Eurozone periph - However, the effectiveness of these International Monetary Fund (IMF) ery. We had hoped that the agreement arrangements to cope with the crisis is playing its part in restoring stability arrived at by Eurozone leaders for yet to be tested. in Europe, the Prime Minister said reducing the Greek debt, combined Although the Eurozone countries that the global financial institution with a new EU-IMF program provid - have the principal responsibility for must also keep in mind the liquidity ing additional resources, could be put dealing with these problems, the dan - requirements of developing countries in place quickly. The announcement of gers from spillovers from the Eurozone who were not at the center of the a referendum by the Government of to the rest of the world are a matter of

December 2011 India Review G-20 SUMMIT concern for all of us. In an increasing - expected to come from tax reforms. cost of intermediation. Emerging ly integrated world, all of us have a Mr. President, as the G-20 battles markets, therefore, were engaged in stake in the orderly functioning and with short-term problems of crisis man - progressive reduction in tight regula - prosperity of Europe, including the agement it must not lose sight of the tions with a view to modernizing their Eurozone countries. Prolonged uncer - developmental needs of developing financial markets and expanding inter - tainty and instability in the Eurozone economies. After a long period, these mediation. countries can hurt us all. The IMF economies experienced broad-based The priorities in emerging markets, must keep the situation under close acceleration of growth, making them like India, before the crisis, were not watch as part of regional surveillance. potentially significant contributors to regulatory but developmental, with the It should also be willing to help in an global growth. This is now threatened aim of deepening and developing new appropriate manner if asked to do so. by slowing trend growth in developed markets to sustain high rates of growth We strongly support the IMF playing countries and uncertainties in financial in the real economy. Financial its part in restoring stability in Europe. markets. We need to find credible ways inclusion, provision of long-term At the same time, the IMF must also of strengthening these growth impulses. funding instruments for infrastructure, keep in mind the liquidity requirements At Seoul, I had called for measures to the development of liquid bond markets of developing countries who are not at redirect global savings so that they could to improve monetary policy transmis - the center of the crisis, but may never - be leveraged to increase investments in sion, among others, were financial sec - theless be adversely affected as inno - developing countries. This would help tor priorities in India before the crisis. cent bystanders. offset the moderation in private demand Nothing has happened in Indian As we deal with the short-term prob - in industrialized countries. financial markets or globally that war - lem of instability, we must also face the Multilateral Development Banks rants changing these priorities. We challenge of orchestrating a broad- play a key role in mobilizing and need to be sure that the regulatory based recovery and sustainable growth deploying global savings. The G-20 reforms being introduced globally will in industrialized countries and in should therefore raise its level of ambi - not hamper this process. developing countries. This is what the tion for these institutions so that they There are areas where our concerns Mutual Assessment Process exercise is can play the kind of transformational are different. For example, while bank - meant to do. We face the difficult task role they played in the post-war period. ing capital needs to be strengthened in of balancing the requirement for giving India, this is not on account of higher a push to growth in the short term and risks but because credit is projected to the task of restoring fiscal sustainabili - G-20 countries should expand at a very fast pace to feed the ty over the medium term. These call take the lead in agreeing high real growth that we expect. To for very different policy prescriptions. to automatic exchange of take another example, while the princi - The Mutual Assessment Process tax related information ple that the cost of a bailout falls on needs to focus on structural reforms in equity holders rather than on taxpayers all G-20 countries to increase efficien - with each other is robust, in India large segments of the cy and competitiveness over the medi - financial sector, especially banking and um term. This would help revive the The G-20 has made considerable insurance, is mostly state owned, and animal spirit of investors which is nec - progress toward strengthening global equity holders and taxpayers are essary to allow us to shift the burden of financial regulation and this needs to mostly one and the same. In this envi - sustaining demand from the public to be carried forward through follow-up ronment it is difficult to see why a private sector. Such rebalancing is measures. It is important that in an financial sector tax, which would only necessary to make the recovery sus - integrated world there should be com - raise the cost of capital even further, tainable. We in India are taking steps to mon standards that are implemented would be appropriate. ensure a return to high growth. Our simultaneously in all jurisdictions, to Mr. President, tax evasion and illicit economy has slowed down in the cur - avoid a race to the bottom. Otherwise flows have seen the migration of tax rent year and GDP growth is likely to financial activity will migrate from the bases in developing countries abroad 6 be between 7.6 and 8 percent. Like tightly regulated sectors to less regulat - and are serious problems. The G-20 many other emerging market coun - ed jurisdictions. It is, however, impor - should send a strong message to curb tries, we too are experiencing high lev - tant that the developmental needs of such activity. G-20 countries should els of inflation. We hope to go back to developing countries are kept in mind take the lead in agreeing to automatic higher growth in 2012-13, together in these regulatory reforms. exchange of tax related information with a moderation in inflation. Our In many developing countries, with each other, irrespective of artifi - medium-term strategy focusses on a including India, financial markets have cial distinctions such as past or pres - revival of investment, especially in been tightly regulated. This tight regu - ent, for tax evasion or tax fraud, in the infrastructure, and continuing efforts lation helped us avoid financial crises spirit of our London Summit that “the to reduce our fiscal deficit through resulting from excessive leverage but it era of bank secrecy is over”. improved revenue collection, which is came with a cost, as it increased the Thank you Mr President.”

December 2011 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS Senate IndIa CauCuS WelComeS ambaSSador nIrupama rao he Senate India Caucus held an event at Capitol Hill in T Washington, D.C. on November 29 to formally wel - come Ambassador Nirupama 7 Rao on her taking over as India’s new Ambassador to the United States. The event was hosted by the co-chairs of the Caucus — Senator John Cornyn of Texas and Senator Mark Warner of Virginia. A number of U.S. Senators, senior members of the Administration, a large segment of the Indian-American commu - nity, as well as members of the media, the think tank communi - ty and academia attended the event. In their welcome remarks, both Senators Cornyn and Warner spoke warmly of Ambassador Rao’s contribution in promoting India-U.S. rela - Ambassador Nirupama Rao addressing a welcome event hosted in her honor by Senate India Caucus Co-Chairs tions during her previous Senator John Cornyn (left) and Senator Mark Warner (right) at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on November 29. assignment as India’s Foreign Secretary. Expressing confi - dence in the future of India- Ambassador Nirupama Rao described the bipartisan U.S. relations, they highlighted support for India-U.S. relations in the U.S. Congress as a the “true partnership” and the expanding cooperation between source of strength for the India-U.S. strategic partnership the “ world’s oldest and largest that spans almost all dimensions of human endeavor democracies” in bilateral, regional and global context, based on Senior Senator from Massachusetts The Senate India Caucus is a bipar - shared values and converging inter - and Chairman of the Senate Foreign tisan group currently comprising forty ests. Relations Committee, John Kerry and members of the U.S. Senate. It was Ambassador Rao, in her remarks, Under Secretary of State for Political founded in 2004 by the then Senator thanked Senator Cornyn and Senator Affairs Wendy Sherman also spoke from New York, and now Secretary of Warner for their welcome and for their during the event. State, Hillary Clinton and Senator leadership of the Caucus. She noted Senator Kerry noted his admiration John Cornyn. At the time of its forma - the important contributions made by for India’s critical role in the conduct tion, it was the only country-specific the Senate India Caucus to bring the of global affairs, its vibrant democra - Caucus in the Senate and today, is the people and governments of the two cy, and global leadership. In her largest Caucus of its kind in the countries closer, and described the remarks, Under Secretary Sherman Senate. bipartisan support for India-U.S. rela - conveyed to Ambassador Rao greet - The full text of Ambassador Nirupama tions in the U.S. Congress as a source ings from Secretary of State Hillary Rao’s speech at the event can be viewed at: of strength for the India-U.S. strategic Clinton who was traveling abroad, and http://www.indianembassy.org/prdetail1831/re partnership that now spans almost all wished her all success in her new marks-by-ambassador-at-senate-india-caucus- reception-%28november-29%2C-2011%29 dimensions of human endeavor. assignment.

December 2011 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS HouSe IndIa CauCuS reCeptIon

American relations,” which, he said, was pivotal to maintaining a stable and economically sound world. He expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the House India Caucus, which he described as “one of the largest bipartisan caucuses in the Congress.” Ambassador Rao thanked the Caucus for its many years of work in advancing the cause of India-U.S. rela - tions and of the Indian-American com - munity in the United States. “The House India Caucus has been a tremendous source of strength in promoting India-U.S. relations for almost two decades now,” she said. “It has done a commendable job in focusing public opinion and the attention of governments in both our countries on the importance of our partnership, even at a time when it was difficult to imagine that we would achieve the depth and the expanse of Ambassador Nirupama Rao addressing a welcome event hosted by House India Caucus this relationship as we enjoy today.” Co-Chairs Congressmen Ed Royce (Right) and Joe Crowley (Left) on December 1 at Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Many members of the House India Caucus, from both political parties, he Congressional Caucus on India, he said, was just such a country. including Ranking Member of the India and Indian Americans Congressman Crowley said that he was House Foreign Relations Committee, (also known as the House confident that the already-strong ties Congressman Howard Berman, and TIndia Caucus) led by its former Chair of House India Caucus, co-chairs, Congressman Ed Royce of The House India Congressman Gary Ackerman attend - California and Congressman Joe ed the evening reception, which fea - Crowley of New York welcomed Caucus has done tured Indian food and began with the Ambassador Nirupama Rao as India’s a commendable job singing of the U.S. and the Indian new Ambassador in Washington at a in focussing public national anthems by Riti Bhalla from packed reception in the Rayburn opinion and the attention New York. Building at Capitol Hill on December The House India Caucus was found - 1. The event was attended by a large of governments in both ed in 1993. With a current member - number of U.S. lawmakers, adminis - our countries on the ship of close to 150 lawmakers, it is tration officials, journalists, academics importance of our among the largest caucuses of its kind and prominent Indian-Americans. partnership... in the U.S. Congress. The reception of 8 Deputy Secretary of State William December 1 followed a similar wel - Burns was also present. — Ambassador Nirupama Rao come hosted by the Senate India In his welcome remarks, Caucus for Ambassador Rao on Congressman Royce pledged that the of the United States with India “will November 29. House India Caucus would work with mature and will grow.” The full text of Ambassador Ambassador Rao to help Americans Deputy Secretary Burns praised Nirupama Rao’s speech at the event better understand the many benefits Ambassador Rao and the ever-improv - can be viewed at: http://www.indi - that closer engagement with India ing relationship between India and the anembassy.org/prdetail1830/remarks- brings to both the nations. He added: United States. He called the by-ambassador-at-house-india-cau - “We want to have our closest relation - Ambassador “an extraordinarily gifted cus-reception-%28december-1%2C- ship with those who share our values.” diplomat” and a “champion of Indo- 2011%29

December 2011 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS ‘IndIa today repreSentS a unIque model of development In tHe World’ peaking on ‘India’s role in a dramatic transformation in India, lifted the global community needs to changing world’ at the millions of people out of poverty and address. With 1/6th of global popula - American University on has led to the rise of a large middle tion, if India is able to successfully S November 9, Ambassador class. But there still remain enormous tackle these challenges, the beneficial Nirupama Rao remarked that India development challenges. A large section impact of that would register globally. represented a unique model of devel - of our population still remains below As we work to meet developmental 9 opment in the world. “Sixty-five years the poverty line. We need to create and economic challenges, we are also into India’s journey as a vibrant modern infrastructure, improve agri - working to ensure peace and stability democracy, I would say that it is the culture productivity, manufacturing not just in our neighborhood but in the Indian model of democratic gover - capacities and services to benefit from world at large. nance together with its economic our demographic asset. Therefore, for I believe, in a globalized world, all strength, resilience and dynamism of the foreseeable future, our foremost countries, small and large, will need to its people that propels the promise and task is to ensure a sustained and inclu - work more closely together. In this the potential of India’s role on the sive economic growth to improve the context, closer partnership between global stage,” she said. well-being of our people. India and the United States will be of Ambassador Rao also pointed out But this does not mean that India great value not only for the two coun - that in the coming years, India’s will be only inwardly looking. On the tries, but also for forging global con - engagement with the world would only contrary, our engagement with the sensus and cooperation. Our bilateral increase as she was ready to contribute world has increased considerably in engagement with the United States has to the world according to her capacity recent years and this is only bound to witnessed remarkable transformation and pursue her interests actively. She grow as India actively pursues its inter - and has matured into a strategic part - said India was working with the inter - ests in the world and remains ready to nership of global dimensions. national community to ensure a better contribute within her capacity. The full text of Ambassador future for everybody. The challenges that we face — the Nirupama Rao’s address at the event need to abolish poverty that still afflicts can be viewed at: Excerpts from Ambassador a large section of our population; the http://www.indianembassy.org/prde - Nirupama Rao’s address: need to ensure a healthy and well-edu - tail1820/ambassadorandrsquo%3Bs- Since our independence, and partic - cated population; and securing address-at-the-american-university-on- ularly in the past twenty years, India’s sustainable sources of energy to fuel andlsquo%3Bindiaandrsquo%3Bs-role- sustained economic growth has led to our growth are also the problems that in-a-changing-worldandrsquo%3B ‘the edifice of the India-uS partnership is founded on multiple pillars’ peaking on ‘A perspective on India-U.S. ened and our cooperation has expanded across peoples and businesses, and the active contri - global strategic partnership’ at the Rice new frontiers based on our increasingly conver - bution of Indian-American community, many of S University in Houston on November 10, gent interests. We have built up a truly multi- whom I see today represented in the audience Ambassador Nirupama Rao said that India’s faceted partnership and are increasingly work - and which adds further vitality and resilience to relations with the U.S. had never been so good ing together across a spectrum of activities that our partnership. The edifice of the India-US part - as it was today. Describing the India-U.S. rela - touch almost every aspect of human endeavor nership is founded on multiple pillars. Our rela - tions ‘multi-faceted’, Ambassador Rao said that — from developmental issues such as educa - tionship is in a state of constant evolution in a India regarded the U.S. as an important partner tion, health, agriculture and energy, and for our rapidly changing world. As our Prime Minister as she seeks to realize her destiny in the frame - common peace, stability and security. Dr. Manmohan Singh has often stated, it is a work of an open, pluralistic, inclusive and dem - We established a Strategic Dialogue in 2009 relationship based on pragmatism and ocratic society that respects and protects funda - which had identified five principal areas for principle; and strengthened by shared values mental human freedoms. expanding cooperation: strategic cooperation, and common interests. Excerpts from Ambassador Nirupama energy and climate change; education and The full text of Ambassador Nirupama Rao’s speech at the event: development, economy, trade and agriculture, Rao’s speech at the event can be viewed If I were to describe the state of India-US science and technology, health and innovation. at: http://www.indianembassy.org/prde - relations today, I would say that they are today And increasingly we are now cooperating to tail1823/address-by-ambassador-nirupama- better than they have been at any time before. address the major challenges that face our rao-at-the-rice-university-on-andquot%3Ba- Our political engagement has strengthened sig - world. Our strong government-to-government perspective-on-india-us-global-strategic-part - nificantly, our strategic understanding has deep - links are supported by vibrant ties between our nershipandquot%3B

December 2011 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS IndIa offerS value propoSItIon to uS buSIneSS: ambaSSador nIrupama rao ddressing the 12th Annual manufacturing zones with industrial Gala of the Indo-American parks, warehousing, and opportunities Chamber of Commerce of in special economic zones. A Greater Houston on In developing innovation economy, November 12, Ambassador Nirupama the key focus in India has been on its Rao said that while India regarded relevance and scalability. The result cooperation with the U.S. important has been grassroots acceptability and for achieving its national development easy commercialization of new tech - goals, the growth in the Indian econo - nologies. The Indian corporate sector my potentially provides a large market has played an important role in this for the U.S. products, technologies field in India. From indigenous design - and services. She highlighted the syn - ing and manufacturing of the Nano to ergies of Indian and U.S. businesses effective e-governance models; from and said their partnerships had con - inclusive banking to accessible public tributed immensely to the growth of healthcare, the Indian industry has Ambassador Nirupama Rao knowledge economy sectors in both contributed to the development of countries. continues to grow strongly. The U.S. need-based and cost-effective innova - Noting that India had also con - exports to India have grown three tive solutions that have scalability and tributed in sustaining the U.S. compet - times during the same period. While global relevance. itiveness in IT and other sectors, the U.S. is the largest source of foreign It is the attractiveness of Indian Ambassador Rao said, “Clearly, India investments in India, Indian direct market comprising of its strong offers a mutually beneficial value investment into the U.S. has also been consumption economy; its skilled proposition for businesses in both growing rapidly and in recent years has human resource base; its strengths in countries.” matched or even exceeded the U.S. knowledge economy; its rapidly grow - foreign direct investment into India. ing middle class; and strong trends in Excerpts from Ambassador During 2004-2009, as per inde - urbanization that a large number of Nirupama Rao’s speech: pendent studies, Indian companies U.S. companies now have their opera - “India and the United States are now have invested about $26 billion in 43 tions in India. Out of Fortune 500 both partners in each other’s growth states in manufacturing, mining, infor - companies, around 200 have set up and prosperity. We now seek common mation technology, and services. In R&D centers in India. Clearly, India and new ground in our cooperative many ways, India-U.S. partnerships offers a mutually beneficial value endeavors in virtually all key sectors have contributed immensely to the proposition for businesses in both such as space, energy security includ - growth of the knowledge economy countries. ing nuclear energy and renewables, sectors in both countries and con - We are committed to a path of eco - defense trade, counter-terrorism, edu - tributed in sustaining the U.S. compet - nomic reforms within a democratic cation, health, agriculture, science and itiveness in IT and other sectors. polity that is in line with our national technology, trade and investment. Surely, it has benefited India immense - development priorities. The strength of the relationship ly; but it has also had a profound all Today, more than ever before, in the between our governments is under - round impact in strengthening the U.S. as in India, there is a clear recog - pinned by the vitality of private part - India-US relationship. In years to nition and much excitement in moving 10 nerships and the warmth of ties come, products and services developed India-U.S. relationship to a new level between the people of the two coun - through indigenous innovation econo - of higher engagement befitting of our tries. The enterprise, energy, skills and my would provide sustainability and strategic partnership.” resources of Indian-American commu - momentum to India’s growth and pro - The full text of Ambassador nity, who have made the U.S. their vide solutions to our national develop - Nirupama Rao’s speech can be home; over 100,000 Indian students in mental priorities. We are also aiming to viewed at: http://www.indianem - the U.S. universities and colleges, have increase the share of manufacturing in bassy.org/prdetail1824/address-by- provided new vibrancy and resilience our GDP to around 25 percent in ambassador-nirupama-rao-at-the- to growing India-U.S. ties. coming years. This is sought to be annual-gala-organized-by-indo-ameri - India-U.S. trade has doubled in the achieved through the national manu - can-chamber-of-commerce-of-greater- last four years; it is balanced and facturing policy which emphasizes new houston

December 2011 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS Senator mark kIrk WelComeS ambaSSador nIrupama rao mbassador Nirupama Rao prosperous Afghanistan, emerging as met Senator Mark Kirk the hub for trade, transportation and from Illinois on November 3 energy linking Central and South Asia. A at Capitol Hill in Senator Kirk welcomed India’s posi - Washington, D.C. tive contribution to Afghanistan’s Ambassador Rao and Senator Kirk reconstruction and described a strong 11 exchanged views on India-U.S. bilat - US-India partnership as an important eral relations and took positive note of factor for Afghanistan’s peace and the growing momentum of coopera - prosperity. tion between the two countries across Senator Kirk is known for his keen a wide range of issues. During their foreign policy interests and is a strong meeting, Ambassador Rao and advocate of closer India-U.S. relations. Senator Kirk discussed the situation in He is a member of the Senate India Ambassador Nirupama Rao with Senator Mark Afghanistan and the common interests Kirk of Illinois on November 3. Caucus. Senator Kirk is also an officer of India and U.S. in the long-term in the U.S. Navy Reserve, holding the peace, security and development of assistance to Afghanistan and India’s rank of Commander. He visited Afghanistan. Ambassador Rao vision for an independent sovereign, Afghanistan recently on a two-week referred to India’s robust development stable, united, democratic and tour of duty.

ambassador discusses bilateral ambassador nirupama rao meets relations with Congressmen n a meeting with Congressmen with Senator Joe lieberman Mac Thornberry of Texas and Devin Nunes I of California on November 1, at Capitol mbassador Nirupama Rao met tion, particularly in Afghanistan and Hill in Washington, DC, Ambassador with senior U.S. Senator Joe the common interests of India and the Nirupama Rao discussed bilateral relations A Lieberman from Connecticut U.S. in ensuring peace, security and and regional and global issue of common on November 8 at Capitol Hill in development in Afghanistan. interest. Congressman Thornberry highlight - Washington, DC. Ambassador Rao also thanked ed growing cooperation between the two Senator Lieberman welcomed Senator Lieberman for the very posi - countries in the field of counter-terrorism and expressed interest in enhancing engagement Ambassador Rao on her appointment tive note struck in his speech on Asia- with India in the field of cyber-security. as India’s Ambassador Pacific at the Heritage Congressman Nunes referred to the rapidly to the US. Underlining Foundation on growing trade and economic engagement his own commitment to November 2 where he between India and the U.S. and the role of the India-U.S. relations, advocated a deeper Indian diaspora in the U.S. in building an Senator Lieberman engagement between important cultural bridge between the two mentioned that one of India and the US. They countries. the most remarkable agreed that the emer - Congressman Thornberry, widely regarded for his expertise on national security issues, is developments of his gence of an open, bal - the Vice-Chairman of the U.S. House of over two decade-long anced and inclusive Representative’s Armed Services Committee political career was the architecture in the Asia- and a senior Member of the House Permanent total transformation of Pacific region was in the Select Committee on Intelligence. this relationship. Ambassador Nirupama Rao interest of both India and Congressman Nunes comes from a Ambassador Rao and meeting with U.S. Senator Joe the US. Congressional district in California. He is a Senator Lieberman dis - Lieberman at Capitol Hill, Senator Lieberman is Member of the House Permanent Select Washington, D.C., on November 8. cussed recent develop - among the most influen - Committee on Intelligence as well as a ments in the India-U.S. strategic part - tial voices in the U.S. Congress on for - Member of the House Ways and Means Committee. nership and emphasized the shared eign policy and national security issues, Ambassador Rao said she looked forward values and interests that brought the and a strong supporter of India-U.S. to an early visit by the two Congressmen to two countries closer. They also strategic partnership. He is a member India. exchanged views on the regional situa - of the Senate India Caucus.

December 2011 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS

President of Rotary International Ambassador Nirupama Rao calls on Ambassador Rao alyan Banerjee, President of Rotary meets with senior Congressmen International, called on Ambassador mbassador Nirupama Rao K Nirupama Rao on November 1 at the met with three senior Embassy of India. Banerjee, the organiza - tion’s 101st President and the third from Members of the House of India, described Rotary as an organization A Representative — of service and fellowship, representing a Congressmen Mike Rogers of universal blend of all kinds of cultures, Michigan, Howard Berman of countries, thought processes, and perspec - California and Gary Ackerman of tives. He briefed Ambassador Rao on the New York during separate meetings at work being done by Rotary in India in the Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on areas of education, water management, November 17. The three healthcare, and on issues relating to Ambassador Nirupama Rao with Congressman women and children. Congressmen welcomed Ambassador Gary Ackerman of New York at Capitol Hill on Ambassador Rao wished Banerjee all November 17. Rao in her new assignment and spoke success in his current responsibilities. of their confidence in the future of India-U.S. relations. Ambassador Pistachio Growers’ delegation Rao expressed appreciation for their briefs Ambassador Rao contributions toward deepening the India-U.S. partnership. She noted the recent developments in bilateral rela - tions, and the shared values and inter - ests of the two countries. Congressman Rogers is the Chair Ambassador Rao with the American Pistachio of the House Permanent Select Growers’ delegation at the Embassy on November 2. Vinay Kwatra, Minister Committee on Intelligence and also Ambassador Nirupama Rao with Congressman (Commerce) is also seen. serves on the House Committee on Howard Berman of California at Capitol Hill on Energy and Commerce. November 17. n a meeting with Ambassador Rao on November 2, a delegation of American Congressman Berman is an influen - IPistachio Growers’ expressed happiness tial leader on foreign policy issues and at the Government of India’s decision to is currently the most senior Democrat lower tariffs on pistachio imports. They in the House Foreign Affairs also briefed the Ambassador on select Committee. A vocal proponent of aspects of bilateral agricultural trade and strong India-U.S. partnership, he has outlined various opportunities for further been a member of the House India growth. Caucus since its earliest days. Ambassador Rao informed the delegation of her Embassy’s commitment to Congressman Ackerman, presently harnessing opportunities in bilateral trade, serving his fifteenth term in the House Ambassador Nirupama Rao with Congressman and further promoting trade and invest - of Representatives, has had a long Mike Rogers of Michigan at Capitol Hill on ment links between the two countries. history of engagement with India. November 17. Ambassador Rao meets with Mayor Villaraigosa of Los Angeles 12 mbassador Nirupama Rao met with the that the emergence of Los Angeles as the center connected to the East and to the Asia-Pacific, Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio for clean technology could offer significant including India. He also referred to the sister-city A Villaraigosa, on November 14 during her opportunities for cooperation with India. relationship between Los Angeles and Mumbai. recent visit to Los Angeles. Ambassador Rao also noted India’s interest in Mayor Villaraigosa has been leading Los During the meeting, Ambassador Rao noted learning from Los Angeles’ experience in Angeles, the second largest city in the United the growing momentum of India-U.S. relations mega-city policing in the context of India-U.S. States, since 2005. He is also the current built upon shared values and interests. She said counter-terrorism cooperation. President of the United States Conference of that there was tremendous scope for strength - Mayor Villaraigosa spoke of the important Mayors. ening ties between India and Los Angeles in role played by Los Angeles in driving the econ - Ambassador Rao invited Mayor Villaraigosa diverse areas, including clean and high technol - omy of California and the US, and highlighted to visit India. He accepted the invitation and ogy, health, entertainment and education. the city’s interest in closely working with India. expressed interest in visiting India sometime in In his remarks, Mayor Villaraigosa mentioned He said that the future of Los Angeles was 2012.

December 2011 India Review Embassy EVENTS DIWALI CELEBRATIONs AT GOVERNMENT HOUsE, ANNAPOLIs, MARYLAND 1 2

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PHOTO LEGENDS lamp at Government House. 5. Maryland State House Majority Leader 3. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley reads Kumar Barve delivering Diwali wishes during 1. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley the “Diwali Day” Proclamation at the the celebration at the Government House inaugurates Diwali festivities at celebration. Ambassador Rao and Dr. Suresh along with Delegate Sam Arora to his right, Government House, Annapolis, Maryland C. Gupta, organizing committee member, Delegate Aruna Miller and Delegate Susan on November 3. are also seen. Lee to his left. 2. Ambassador Nirupama Rao joins the 4. Ambassador Rao addressing the audience on 6. Guests in attendance. Governor in the festivities by lighting the the occasion. Photos by Mathew Karmel

December 2011 India Review Embassy EVENTS DIWALI CELEBRATIONs AT EMBAssY 1 2

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PHOTO LEGENDS 3. Acharya Anant Sharma (Chinmaya Mission, 5. Kumar Barve, Majority Leader in Maryland Virginia) speaking on the significance of the House, speaking on the occasion. 1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao greeting guests festival. 6. A musical session presented by Purvi during Diwali celebrations at the Embassy 4. Dr. Rajan Natrajan, Deputy Secretary of Nanvaty and Rashmi Sanan. Residence on November 4. State for Policy and External Affairs, 7. Alok Srivastava, President, United Hindu and 2. An invocation song being rendered by a Maryland Government, addressing the Jain Temples, proposing the vote of thanks. group of children from Rajdhani Mandir. gathering. 8. Guests in attendance.

December 2011 India Review Embassy EVENTS EMBAssY HOsTs sALTAF 2011 PARTICIPANTs 1 2

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PHOTO LEGENDS 9 1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao addressing the participants of the South Asian Literary, Arts and Theater Festival (SALTAF) 2011 at the Embassy on November 5. The Festival is organized annually by the Network of South Asian Professionals (NetSAP), DC in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution’s Asian Pacific American Program. 2. Peush Kumar, Co-Chair of SALTAF-2011, speaking on the occasion. 3. Dr. Konrad Ng, Director of the Smithsonian Institution’s Asian Pacific American Program, addressing the gathering. 4. Dr. Ajay Ojha, President of the Network of South Asian Professionals, DC, speaking on the occasion. 5. Mita Ghosh, Co-Chair of SALTAF-2011, addressing the audience. 6. Madhvi Venkatesh performing Bharatanatyam on the occasion. 7. A Bharatanatyam recital by Madhavi Reddi. 8. Anwesha Banerjee rendering Hindi songs on the occasion. 9. Guests in attendance.

December 2011 India Review Embassy EVENTS EMBAssY HOsTs RECEPTION FOR MINIsTER VEERAPPA MOILY 1 2

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1. Minister for Corporate Affairs Veerappa Moily addressing the audience. 2. Deputy Chief of Mission Arun K. Singh welcoming and introducing the Minister to the audience at a reception hosted at the Embassy on November 10. 3. Guests in attendance.

Consulate EVENTS EID-UL-ADHA CELEBRATIONs AT CGI NEW YORk

16 he Consulate General of India, Consul-General of India in New the fact that all such functions at the New York, hosted a dinner on York, underlined the importance of Consulate have been attended by T the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha on Eid-ul-Adha for the Muslim commu - people from all faiths. November 13. The dinner was attend - nity and stated that the Consulate Prominent community leaders, ed by prominent members of the India- had been hosting festivals represent - including Dr. Nazma Sultana of the American Muslim community and ing various sections of the Indian Association of Indian Muslims, other important community leaders. community from time to time. He addressed the gathering. A visiting Speaking on the occasion, stressed the need for communal har - poetess from India, Anita Soni, recited Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, mony and conveyed his happiness at Urdu poems at the event.

December 2011 India Review Consulate EVENTS AMBAssADOR VIsITs HOUsTON (10-12 NOVEMBER, 2011) 1 2

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5 PHOTO LEGENDS 1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao and Annise D Parker, Mayor of Houston, jointly inaugurating the new premises of Consulate General of India at 4300 Scotland Street, Houston, TX 77007 on November 12. 2. Ambassador Nirupama Rao, the Chief Guest at the 12th Annual Gala of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH), delivering the Keynote Address. 3. Ambassador Nirupama Rao was the Chief Guest and the Keynote Speaker at the 12th Annual Gala of the Indo- American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IAC - CGH). In the photo, Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is presenting a Certificate of Congressional Recognition to Ambassador Rao. Also seen is IACCGH Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia. 4. Ambassador Nirupama Rao delivering a Keynote Address on “A perspective on India-US global strategic partnership” at Rice University. 5. Ambassador Nirupama Rao at Rice University. In the photo, Ambassador Rao is seen with (L to R): Ambassador Edward Djerejian, Founding Director of Baker Institute at Rice University, David Leebron, President of Rice University and Sanjiv Arora, Consul-General of India in Houston.

December 2011 India Review Economy NEWS ExIM Bank crEdIt lIMIt to rISE he government on November export credit exposures, enable it to 16 approved amendments to borrow funds to disburse under export the Export-Import Bank Act line of credits,” the statement added. T to improve its ability to The amendments also provide for increase credit to exporters and appointment of two full-time importers and said it would now be Directors, other than the Chairman tabled in parliament. and Managing Director in the bank by The Export-Import Bank of India the federal government. (Amendment) Bill, 2011 seeks to “By appointing two whole time increase the authorized capital of the directors, the management structure of bank from $389 million to $1,945 the bank would be strengthened which million, said an official statement after in turn would enable the bank to the cabinet committee on economic achieve excellence in its area of opera - affairs (CCEA) approved the amend - tions,” the statement said. ments to the act. Founded in 1982, the bank provides The CCEA is headed by Prime financial assistance to exporters and Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh importers and is the principal financial The bill also provides for the deem necessary from time to time.” institution for coordinating the work - government to further increase the “Increase in the authorized capital ing of institutions engaged in financing capital “up to an amount that it may would enable the bank to take higher overseas trade.

India raises fII investment limits in bonds by $5 bn Bonanza ndia on November 17 decided to increase the limit of foreign institutional investors’ for SME s I (FIIs) investment in government securities he government on bonds by $5 billion to $15 billion and in November 1 approved a corporate bonds by a similar amount to $20 billion. T procurement policy that The enhanced total limit for FII investment makes it mandatory for all in government bonds would be $15 billion state-run companies, ministries from the existing limit of $10 billion and the and departments to procure 20 enhanced total limit for FII investment in cor - percent of their products and porate bonds would be $20 billion from $15 service needs from small and medium the MSME sector from market billion, the Finance Ministry said in a state - enterprises (SMEs). fluctuations and provide ample scope ment. The decision, aimed at providing to grow. In corporate bonds, the limit of $20 billion is apart from the $25 billion allowed for SMEs an assured growth opportunity, “We feel the move will demonstrate long-term infra bonds. was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired that the sector is capable of high- “The enhancements would increase invest - by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan quality production, good enough for ments in debt securities and help in further Singh in New Delhi. purchases by the government,” development of the government securities Giving details, the Minister for FISME President V.K. Agarwal said. and the corporate bond markets in the coun - Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises There are over 26 million small and try,” the statement said. (MSME) Virbhadra Singh said that medium scale firms in India and they The Finance Ministry has given its 18 the policy would become mandatory contribute about 8 percent to the total approval for the decision and the market reg - ulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of three years from now. “Government gross domestic product. Under the India (SEBI) is expected to issue a circular departments not conforming to the policy, every federal ministry and giving effect to these changes in the next few mandatory procurement would be state-run firm will set an annual target days. required to provide reasons to a review of procuring a minimum 20 percent of “The policy has been reviewed in the con - committee set up for the purpose,” the the total purchases of products and text of India’s evolving macroeconomic situa - minister said. services from the MSME sector. tion, the need for enhancing capital flows and Welcoming the move, the MSME However, given their unique nature, making available additional financial body, Federation of Micro and Small defense armament imports will not be resources for India’s corporate sector,” the Finance Ministry said. and Medium Enterprises (FISME) included in computing the 20 percent said the decision would help protect goal for Ministry of Defense.

December 2011 India Review Economy NEWS

IndIa SIgnS avIatIon US to mobilize $25 mn for clean energy r&d in India SafEty pact wIth US he United States would mobilize $25 million of Department of Energy he Federal Aviation T funding for a joint clean energy Administration (FAA) research and development (R&D) center in on November 17 India, Under Secretary for International Trade Francisco J. Sanchez said on announced the com - T November 7. pletion of a pact between the “By investing in R&D today we can U.S. and India that would allow ensure that we are leading the global 19 for the reciprocal certification of economy of tomorrow. It is the first ven - aviation products. ture of its kind that the energy department Dorenda Baker, Director of has leveraged with the foreign govern - FAA’s Aircraft Certification ment demonstrating how much we value Service, and E.K. Bharat our partnership with India,” said Sanchez Bhushan, Director-General of at an event organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). the Directorate General of Civil E.K. Bharat Bhushan (left), Director-General of Civil According to Sanchez, this would Aviation for India, signed the Aviation and Dorenda Baker, Director of FAA’s Aircraft improve energy access and promote low- Implementation Procedures for Certification Service, signing the bilateral Aviation Safety carbon growth through the R&D of clean Airworthiness (IPA) on Agreement, at the India-US Aviation Summit in New energy technologies. Delhi on November 17. November 17. Over five years, the research will focus These implementing procedures aeronautical products manufactured in on areas for building efficiency, solar ener - reflected the mutual commitment of the U.S. and other regions of the gy and advanced bio-fuel. the U.S. and India to enhance interna - world. Welcoming the interest of the private sector in clean energy, he also said this tional safety and would enable a more This will happen by reciprocal air - would play a vital role in developing the efficient exchange of aviation prod - worthiness certification of civil aero - sector. ucts, a U.S. Embassy statement said. nautical products imported/exported Sanchez was leading a 15-member The IPA details the scope and nature between the two signatory authorities. trade delegation comprising leading play - of the cooperation established in the “This agreement between India and ers in clean technology sector in the US. framework set up in the US-India the U.S. will also encourage invest - He also said that during the period of 10 Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement ment in the Indian aircraft manufac - years from 2000 to 2010, the US direct (BASA) Executive Agreement. turing industry, and it is also expected investment to India had increased by two folds to $27 billion and the bilateral trade The process for the completion of to help in the fast growth of the avia - in goods had quadrupled to approximate - the agreement started on July 18, dur - tion industry in India,” an official with ly $49 billion, placing India as the 17th ing the visit of Secretary of State the Civil Aviation ministry said. largest export market for the US. Hillary Clinton to India. The development came at the “We are looking together to economic The agreement is expected to open two-day US-India Aviation Summit in growth,” added Sanchez. up a huge market for export of New Delhi. ratan tata names successor yrus Mistry will be the new meeting on November 23. He will Chairman of the $71-billion work in this position for a year till C Tata Group, succeeding Ratan Tata lays down the Chairman’s incumbent Ratan Tata who retires in office in December 2012. December 2012, Tatas announced on Expressing his gratitude to the selec - Cyrus Mistry (left) will succeed Ratan Tata (right) November 23. Cyrus is the youngest tion committee and board of directors, son of construction tycoon Pallonji Mistry said: “I feel deeply honored by the Tata Group. “I take this responsi - Mistry and belongs to a family which is this appointment. I am aware that an bility very seriously and in keeping with one of the largest shareholders in the enormous responsibility, with a great the values and ethics of the Tata Tata Group. legacy, has been entrusted on me.” Group,” Mistry said. The 43-year-old Mistry scion was He said he “looked forward to The group had set up a selection appointed Deputy Chairman of the (Ratan) Tata’s guidance in the year committee in 2010 to look for a Board of Directors of Tata Sons at its ahead in meeting the expectations of successor to Ratan Tata.

December 2011 India Review Science NEWS

IIt-Kanpur enGIneers a tIny Infosys scIence foundatIon devIce to prevent deraIlment announces wInners fter fabricating Jugnu, the under the guidance of N.S. Vyas, he Infosys Science Foundation of the IT country’s tiniest satellite Professor and Head, Mechanical bellwether on November 16 selected which was launched in Engineering, and the Railways’ T Sriram Ramaswamy, Professor of A October, Indian Institute of Research Design and Standards Physics at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Technology-Kanpur graduates have Organization (RDSO), Lucknow. Bangalore for the Infosys Prize 2011 in recog - now come up with a matchbox-sized “Our device is a supplementary nition of his outstanding contribution in device to monitor the wear and tear of system for monitoring track health, Physical Sciences. railway tracks and prevent derailment. making it simpler to integrate with the For similar prizes in five other categories of The new device is aimed at existing railway infrastructure,” scientific research, the Foundation selected replacing a bulky, box-like said Kshitij Deo, M.Tech in Kanpur Genetic Algorithms Laboratory contraption that is cur - mechanical engineering, Director Kalyanmoy Deb in Engineering and rently used by Indian who developed the Computer Science, Centre for Cellular and Railways. device with three others Molecular Biology scientist Imran Siddiqi in For Railways, safety from the vibration and Life Sciences, Stanford University Professor is important as thou - dynamics lab of the Kannan Soundararajan in Mathematical sands of trains use IIT. Sciences, University of Chicago Professor around 114,500 km The device, based on Raghuram G. Rajan in Social Sciences and tracks of its network — micro-electro mechani - Centre for Policy Research Chief Executive the world’s fourth largest. cal system, can monitor Pratap Bhanu Mehta in Political Science and With regular use, the tracks track health more compre - International Relations. develop cracks and fissures, hensively and enable efficient track In recognition of their contribution, each of including problems linked to loose nuts maintenance. the six distinguished winners will receive prize and bolts at the joints. If the tracks are “The extremely handy package money of $97, 609, a 22-carat gold medallion less firmly anchored on the soil, it locates and logs track faults accurately and a citation certificate from former President could lead to derailment. All these with the help of the GPS (global posi - A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on January 9, 2012 in faults can now be detected in real time tioning system), eliminating human Bangalore. and recorded automatically to prevent errors and making train journeys safer. Congratulating the winners, Infosys derailment, thanks to the oscillation It has a battery life of 10 hours and can Chairman Emeritus N.R. Narayana Murthy said monitoring system, a cutting-edge be recharged by USB port on comput - the prestigious prize for the third year was a device weighing just 100 grams. ers,” said Deo. “We did manage to commitment to encourage the distinguished The device has been designed and reduce the number of buttons to one as scientists at a time when it could make a developed by a team of IIT-Kanpur’s against 50 required on the keypad of greater difference to their career and attract mechanical engineering graduates, the railway equipment,” Deo said. young minds to research. nobel laureate Har GobInd KHorana passes away obel Laureate Har Gobind 1922, in a small village in Punjab that Khorana, the Punjab-born is now part of Pakistan, came to N Indian-American scientist, Madison in 1960 to serve as passed away on November 9 at co-director of the UW Institute for 20 Concord, in Massachusetts, US, the Enzyme Research and a member of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Biochemistry. (UW-Madison), where he did his His work at Wisconsin on the Nobel Prize winning pioneering work mechanisms by which RNA codes con - in DNA chemistry, announced. trol the synthesis of proteins led to the He was 89. Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine Lamenting the demise of the Nobel The work that he did in Wisconsin in 1968, which he shared with two Laureate, Aseem Ansari, UW-Madison from 1960 to 1970 continues to propel U.S. born scientists — Robert Holley Professor of biochemistry, said: “He new scientific discoveries and major of Cornell University and Marshall revolutionized biotechnology with his advances.” Nirenberg of the National Institutes of pioneering work in DNA chemistry. Khorana, who was born in India in Health.

December 2011 India Review Cinema NEWS

Since its inception in 1955, 21 To Kids, wiTH love CFSI has been producing, exhibiting and distributing exclusive, entertaining he 17th edition of Golden Children’s Film Society India and enriching content for children. Elephant, the biennial (CFSI), the International Children’s The festival brought together a children’s film Film Festival India delectable cornucopia of children’s T festival, was (ICFFI) attracted films produced in the last two years. held in Hyderabad, over 100,000 Besides Hollywood animation films Andhra Pradesh from people. and some of the best Indian films November 14-20. The The festival such as Chillar Party , I Am Kalam festival brought some of coincides with the and Stanley Ka Dabba , the festival the most entertaining birth anniversary of screened some rarely seen but much children’s films to the Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, acclaimed films from across the young audience in India. India’s first Prime world. Over 150 films from about Minister, starting on November 14 The Iranian film Alafzar (Meadow), 40 countries were screened during the every two years. directed by Mohammed-Ali Salebi, festival, which included feature- CFSI is a government body won the Gloden Elephant award for length, short and animation films. committed to nurturing a dynamic the best feature film in the According to the organizers — the children’s film culture in the country. International section at the festival.

BaBy girl for Bhupen Hazarika’s golden voice falls silent aBHisHeK- aisHwarya usic lovers would have been denied A singer, lyricist, actor, and filmmaker, he Bachchan family is ecstatic about the the magic of Bhupen Hazarika’s Hazarika was born in 1926 in Assam. Hazarika birth of Abhishek and Aishwarya’s first M hauntingly powerful voice in songs produced, directed, composed and sang for T child, a baby girl, on November 16. The like ‘Dil hoom hoom kare’ and ‘Ganga behti ho Assamese language films like Era Batar Sur news also spread cheer among many kyun’ if he had gone ahead and become the (1956), Shakuntala (1960), Pratidhwani (1964) Bollywood celebrities, lawyer that he had initially intended to be. and Lotighoti (1967). Among the Hindi films for who sent out good Hazarika, who died of multiple organ failure which he had given music were Rudaali , Saaz wishes for their new in a Mumbai hospital on November 5 at the and Gajagamini . His contribution to films was bundle of joy. age of 85, was a master balladeer and had acknowledged when he was given the “We took her to touched millions with the passion of his songs. Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1992. Padma Prateeksha first He was one of India’s oldest performing Bhushan was conferred on him in 2001. because that is our first singers who entertained music lovers for more Expressing his grief at the demise of the home. We took my than seven decades with that soothing touch of music maestro, actor Akshay Kumar said: father’s blessings and his baritone voice. “After Jagjit Singh, India has lost another musi - then came to Jalsa ,” “When I go to Japan, students of music cal wonder, RIP Bhupen Hazarika. The man said Amitabh on want me to sing ‘Manuhe Manuhar Babe’. who gave us ‘Dil Hoom Hoom Kare’ from November 22. When I reach California, people say you are our Rudaali is no more. Truly, our hearts recite Amitabh said that he Amitabh Bachchan Paul (Robeson), please sing ‘We are in the this song with grief holding the same boat brothers’,” the legendary musician today.” had all the time to take newborn baby care of the baby. had said in an interview in 2006 just before a Stating that the baby girl was quiet and stage performance in Guwahati. mellow, Abhishek said: “She is quiet, obedi - It was mid-way during that stage perform - ent and very cooperative. She does not cry or ance that Hazarika suffered a mild stroke and fuss much.” later had to undergo a bypass surgery. When asked about the excitement in the Hazarika began singing when he was just 10 family owing to the newborn, Amitabh said years old and churned out hits after hits num - that everyone was happy and excited. bering more than 1,500 songs.

December 2011 India Review Trends in SOCIETY

IndIa’s processIng potentIal Food processing industry, one of the largest industries operating in India, is of enormous significance for the country’s development as it has linked economy, industry and agriculture in India, efficiently and effectively

ndia is the second largest pro - at 245 MT, which is likely to be n Marine products, grains and con - ducer of food and holds the achieved on back of favourable sumer foods (that includes packaged potential to be the biggest on weather conditions. food, beverages and packaged drink - I global food and agriculture can - ing water). vas, according to a Corporate Catalyst Food Processing industry Value addition of food products is India (CCI) survey. The food industry Food processing industry is of expected to increase from 8 per cent to in India comprises food production enormous significance for India’s 35 per cent by 2025. Fruit & vegetable and the food processing industry. The development as it has linked economy, processing is also expected to increase food processing industry is one of the industry and agriculture in India, effi - from the current level of 2 per cent to largest in India — it is ranked fifth in ciently and effectively. 25 per cent of total production by terms of production, consumption, There are 25,367 registered food 2025, as per the CCI report. Dairy sec - export and expected growth. processing units in the country whose tor — that holds the highest share in Agriculture sector is vital for any total invested capital is $17.81 billion, processed food market — holds large nation and in India it is the principal as per a competitiveness report of the potential to be exploited. source of livelihood for more than 58 National Manufacturing The food processing industries in per cent of the population. The Indian Competitiveness Council. India has attracted foreign direct agriculture sector has touched a growth At present, the food processing sec - investment (FDI) worth $1,273.96 rate of 4.4 per cent in the second quar - tor is growing at an average rate of million from April 2000 to June 2011, ter of 2010-11 thereby achieving an 13.5 per cent per annum. The Vision according to the data provided by overall growth rate of 3.8 per cent dur - Document 2015 of the Ministry of Department of Industrial Policy and 22 ing the first half of 2010-11. Food processing Industries, Promotion (DIPP). Area under food crops has increased Government of India, envisages from 122.78 million hectare (ha) in increasing the value addition from 20 Beverages 2001-02 to 125.73 million ha in per cent to 35 per cent by 2015. The Indian non-alcoholic drinks 2010-11 (4th advance estimate). Food processing industry is one of market was estimated at around $4.43 Production of food grains has the largest industries operating in India billion in 2008 and is expected to grow increased from 212.85 million tonne and is divided into several segments, at a compound aggregate growth rate (MT) in 2001-02 to 241.56 MT such as; (CAGR) of around 15 per cent during during 2010-11(4th advance esti - n Fruits & vegetables 2009-2012, according to a report pub - mates). The food grain production tar - n Meat & poultry lished by market research firm get for the year 2011-12 has been fixed n Dairy RNCOS, titled “Indian Non-Alcoholic

December 2011 India Review Trends in SOCIETY

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Drinks Forecast to 2012”. As per the setting up modern storage capacity, report, the fruit/ vegetable juice mar - besides giving infrastructure status to ket will grow at a CAGR of around cold chains. 30 per cent in value terms during 2009-2012, followed by the the road ahead energy drinks segment which India’s consumption growth will grow at a CAGR of around story is expected to maintain its 29 per cent during the same course of about 14 per cent period. growth over the next three years, driven by three factors — inclu - Players and strategies siveness, mix changes and specific n The ready-to-eat (RTE) segment consumption categories, as senior stands at $17 million to $22 million analysts Vijay Chugh, Ashvin Shetty and is growing rapidly at 30 per cent n Cooperative dairy giant Amul aims to and Shariq Merchant said in the per annum, Asheesh Sharma, expand its presence out of India. It is report entitled ‘The Indian Marketing Manager, AgroTech considering opening a processing Consumer: a robust operator in an Foods pointed out. facility in the U.S. and subsequently uncertain world’. n Mother Dairy is not the only firm in the European market. The Indian food processing industry offering the new platter of deep- needs at least $35 billion fresh invest - freezing snacks. From Godrej Tyson government initiatives ments across sectors. This will enable Foods’ Yummiez brand to Canadian The Ministry of Food Processing the industry to create the projected French fries giant McCain to India Industries has allocated $126 million nine million jobs, stability in food Equity Partners’ newly-acquired for different schemes to be implement - prices, reasonable returns to farmers Sumeru brand, a host of players are ed in the food processing sector during and other stakeholders, and more cooking up new food offerings. 2011-12. importantly, to increase India’s share n The branded frozen foods category The ministry has also sanctioned a in the world export market for pro - is estimated at $ 211.77 million, and cold storage chain facility in the cessed foods from the current two per industry players say it is now grow - Kamrup district of Assam and a mega cent, according to food experts. ing along at 20-25 per cent per food park in the Nalbari district of Major players in India’s fast-moving annum. Assam, among other schemes for the consumer goods (FMCG) industry will n Amul has been ranked as the first North-Eastern (NE) region of India. continue to pursue acquisitions over Indian Brand, in the list of the top The Union budget 2011-12 has also the medium term, given the scope for 1,000 brands in Asia by The allocated $135 million to the Food expansion in under-penetrated product Campaign Magazine , published from Processing Ministry from the previous segments and geographies, and the Hong Kong and Singapore. Amul is $90 million. As a measure to boost intensifying competitive pressures in also ranked the No.1 dairy brand, investment in agriculture, the Food the domestic market, as per a report by ahead of leading food and dairy Ministry extended the Viability Gap the credit rating agency, Crisil. brands of the Asian region, including Funding Scheme (VGFS) for (Courtesy: India Brand Equity Dutch Lady, Dumex and Magnolia. public-private partnership (PPP) for Foundation)

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n Spirit of Sacrifice

The faithful greet each other after offering Namaz on the occasion of Id-ul-A ḍḥ a at Jama Masjid in New Delhi on November 7.

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