Obama's India visit: India getting more prominence in the eyes of US, says Frank Islam

LUCKNOW: India has gained importance in the eyes of America and President Barack Obama's visit is part of the ongoing process of creating a new bilateral collaborative agenda, Member of International Advisory Council of the US Institute of Peace Frank Islam said today.

Obama's visit provides a chance to put some flesh on the bones of bilateral partnership by addressing issues like trade subsidies, intellectual property rights, business deals and 'Make in India', he said.

"President Obama's visit is special. It is not about symbolism but is substantive in nature. It is part of the ongoing process of creating a new collaborative agenda between these two great nations for the 21st century," said the recipient of prestigious Martin Luther King award.

Islam, an Indian-American entrepreneur who belongs to Azamgarh district of UP, told PTI through e-mail that India has gained importance in the eyes of America.

"The shared democratic and free market economic values of these two countries are now being recognised, both by the American government and American businesses," he said.

If the right agenda is prepared for the future in terms of trade and exchange programmes, India will become even more prominent, he said.

On the importance of Obama's visit, he said, "During his first visit to India in 2010, the President had said that there was a historic opportunity for the United States and India to make the relationship between our countries a defining partnership for the century ahead.

"This visit provides the chance to put some flesh on the bones of that partnership by addressing issues such as trade subsidies, intellectual property rights and business deals and Make in India," he said.

Citing difference in the approach of the Modi government and the one headed by his predecessor Manmohan Singh, Islam said, "There are two primary things which are immediately apparent. The first is the business friendly and welcoming approach of Modi which is resonating in the United States as opposed to the hands-off style of the previous administration.

"The second is the almost universal enthusiasm, optimism and positive expectations that Modi's 'can-do attitude' has created among Indian people. I saw and was excited by this energy of the public during a recent trip to India as part of a study tour delegation of the Brookings Institution," the former member of Advisory Committee of the Export-Import Bank of the US said.