Relations with China not at cost of India: US to Indian CEOs

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama's top Administration officials have told a delegation of Indian business leaders that the growing economic ties of the world's largest economy with China would not be at the cost of India.

"America is very clear that they have to keep their engagement with China very strong, but the message (to us) is do not worry, it is not at the cost of India," Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Mittal, who is leading a visiting CII delegation of Indian CEOs, told reporters after meeting with top officials of the Obama Administration yesterday.

"The relationship with India on a bilateral basis would be strengthened as we go forward," he said. "Overall we are very happy with the meetings," Mittal said.

The delegation held meetings with the State Department and the White House, besides meeting the US corporate leadership, policy makers and think tanks.

"China and India are seen as two engines of growth, and should continue to grow," Mittal said referring to his meetings.



The CII delegation includes Hindustan Motors Ltd Chairman C K Birla, CII mentor and Haldia Petrochemicals Chairman Tarun Das and Hero Honda Motors CEO and Managing Director Pawan Munjal among others.

Prominent among those the delegation met included Jim Steinberg, the Deputy Secretary of State at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of State Department.

At the White House, the delegation met National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers; the Deputy Assistant to Obama, Michael Froman, and Deputy National Security Adviser.

The delegation attended a meeting with US corporate leadership organised by the CII and US India Business Council. It also had meeting with the former US Ambassador to India, Robert Blackwill, and the former Assistant Secretary of State, Karl Inderfurth.