Author:
Publication: The Times of India
Date: June 28, 2003
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?msid=47366
Introduction: London: Mike O'Brien,
the youngish foreign office minister in Tony Blair's government combines
charisma and outspokenness with an obvious expertise in foreign relations.
He was part of the UK delegation led by Mr Blair that toured India recently,
including IT city Bangalore. He spoke to H S Balram about the role that
India can play on the world stage, its contribution to Britain's economy
and Bangalore and its IT expertise:
Q.: Both India and Britain want
to play a positive and pro-active role in international affairs. Where
do you see India placed in the post-WTC attack and Iraq war scenario?
A.: India, being the largest democracy
of the world, carries a lot of credibility in the international community.
It is an emerging economic giant. It is seen as the voice of the region.
But somehow, the ongoing tension with Pakistan has always over- shadowed
the wider role India can play on the world stage. If this can be resolved,
India will be able to play a very substantial role in the UN, in international
community, not from the regional stage, but from the world stage. In fact,
we want India's help in tracing Osama bin Laden. It can assist in the wider
effort to weed out the Al-Qaida.
Q.: India has been a victim of
cross-border terrorism for years. In what way can the UK help India combat
this menace?
A.: Terrorism must stop. We have
condemned terrorism in no uncertain terms. We have spoken to president
Musharraf. He has promised to take action. Both the governments are prepared
to talk. They are quite capable of taking steps to improve relations.
We will rather encourage than facilitate,
assist than enable. Another conflict between the two countries will be
a major setback to international peace. Thankfully, both the governments
recognise it. We welcome it. The international community welcomes it.
Q.: India is the world's fourth
largest economy in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Its substantial
potential makes it an attractive destination for foreign direct investment
(FDI) in a variety of sectors. How can Britain help to tap this vast market?
A.: Britain needs to work closely
with Indian businessmen for investments. But what we are looking for is
less bureaucracy and more freedom for businesses to work. For investments
in Britain, we have reduced bureaucratic delays. The work done in the last
few years in India is impressive. Indian economy is growing fast. We wish
to take advantage of Indian expertise in various fields.
Q.: Information technology is one
of the fastest growing sectors in India, registering an average annual
growth of 50 per cent. About 25 per cent of 'Fortune 1000' companies outsource
from India. When Blair visited India recently, he made a visit to IT city
Bangalore. Has Britain evolved a strategy to benefit from Indian expertise
in this area?
A.: Yes, I had accompanied prime
minister Blair to Bangalore. Our companies employ a large number of computer
engineers from India. They are also expanding their bases, in Bangalore
particularly. In fact, my wife, who works for an IT company, is responsible
for transfer of a large number of works to Bangalore. India excels in IT
education. We recognise it. We have benefited from it.
Q.: A large number of Indian students
visit the UK every year for higher studies. How does the UK view them?
A.: We benefit from the academic
excellence coming into Britain, particularly from India. We also send our
students to Indiaand other developing countries. By this, we produce a
group of excellent managers and senior managers, who understand each other's
country better. In future trade, they will not be biased towards the country
that they know. So, we see this as an important relationship.
Q.: A large Indian community stays
in Britain - 1.5 million. How influential have they been in business, politics
and the arts?
A.: The Indian community in Britain
is large. In terms of education, it has emerged more successful than any
other ethnic group. Indians are highly influential in business, politics
and arts. Their contribution to the British economy is massive. They are
the highest taxpayers. I am afraid to say India's loss has been Britain's
gain.
Q.: Britainstood by the USduring
the recent Iraq war, though most countries around the world opposed it.
Now that the war is over and Saddam has been dislodged, how do you plan
to bring these countries closer to you?
A.: No, we didn't stand by the
US in the Iraq war. We stood by its interest in the war. We want to build
Iraq for Iraqi people. We want India's help in this endeavour. We wish
to get out of Iraq as soon as we have established a stable democratic government
there. We will not take Iraqi oil money. We will ensure that it goes exclusively
to the Iraqi people.
The war damage was confined to government
buildings and some infrastructure like telephone exchange in Baghdad which
was used by Saddam. We will seek the help of the UN and the international
community to invest in Iraq.
