NYC Letter: To Hell With Allies... Redux

Day 254 of CHOPE

We had some wait time today, so we did something we haven't done in awhile. We picked up a newspaper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, where we came across this editorial.

OBAMA, INDIA: NIGHTMARE

OP-ED October 1, 2009 (RTD) - During the 1970s, Daniel Patrick Moynihan served as U.S. ambassador to India. When Indira Gandhi imposed martial law, Moynihan called Washington to offer congratulations to his colleagues as the U.S. had just become the world's most populous democracy.

Democracy has returned to India, a country with more than 1.1 billion citizens. Although India suffers from sectarian strife and confronts challenges relating to poverty and other social ills, it remains one of the freest nations in an often unruly neighborhood. More than one Muslim has lamented that his co-religionists enjoy more freedom in India, where Hindus form the majority, than in Pakistan, which considers itself an Islamic state. India boasts robust elections and has a thriving, diverse press.

... Since Jan. 20, 2009, ties between the two countries have come under strain. President Barack Obama's aloof attitude to the subcontinent has not gone unnoticed. India has taken perceived slights seriously. The Pioneer, an English newspaper in Delhi, describes the Obama administration as a "nightmare presidency" and rates Obama as "the most hostile American president for India since Richard Nixon." The bill of particulars includes India's apparent exclusion from the American security apparatus as well as protectionist rhetoric that stirs up resentment against India. Despite policies such as trade restrictions on tires, the Obama administration appears more intent on cultivating favor with China than with India. Freedom House rates India "free" and China "not free" -- which, in a foreign policy reflecting respect for human rights, ought to count for something.

If Obama alienates a potential ally in an area as strategic as South Asia, then his administration truly will resemble a nightmare -- and not only for India.

Not to worry. "Smart power"* slights and trashes allies (and here) the better to put enemies at ease (and this) and advantage (and this ).

CHOPE.

That smell.

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* More "smart power" here and here and here and here and here, to link but five.