India, US seal friendship with dinner diplomacy

India, US seal friendship with dinner diplomacy
CHIDANAND RAJGHATTA

WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 18: Like the Americans say, its a done deal. Any remaining doubts about the emergence of a new Indo-US compact based on common ideals and values faded away at a dazzling White House dinner banquet on Sunday night. So direct, so transparent and so lavish were the convictions expressed by President Clinton and Prime Minister Vajpayee that the last vestiges of the Cold War were swept away by some of the warmest sentiments ever expressed between two countries.

President Clinton, whose honeyed words have been a balm to half a century of lacerating estrangement, surpassed himself again with an exquisite toast tohonour his guest, thanking him personally for helping build the strongest, most mature partnership India and America have ever known.

Faced with common problems and threats, including terrorists, drug traffickers, and criminals who took advantage of the openness of societies and borders, India and the United States needed to hang in together, Clinton said, acknowledging a case India has made for years.

``The simple lesson of all this to me, Mr Prime Minister, is that if we're already in the same boat together, we had better find a way to steertogether,'' he said, to ringing applause from a large gathering of 700 India-related power elite.

Clinton also addressed the constituency of cynics and critics, telling Vajpayee we must overcome the fear some people in both our countries sometimes have, for different historical reasons, that if we meet ourfriends halfway, somehow it will threaten our own independence or uniqueness.

Prime Minister Vajpayee was equally appreciative of Clinton, thanking him warmly for daring to cross the territory of doubts to reach out to the hearts of the Indian people and fundamentally transform the manner in which the two countries approached each other.

``We know, too, that America and India stand on the right side of history. Mr President, it is a reflection of your statesmanship that you saw thesimple truth,'' Vajpayee toasted Clinton as the glittering gathering broke into frequent applause at the largest black tie affair ever hosted by the White House.

It is hard to describe the evening without being accused of an acute attack of nativitis -- a diplomatic version of the Stockholm Syndrome -- a condition marked by excessive ardour for the host country. But so graceful and profuse was Clinton in his praise for India and its people that it would have melted the hardest hearts and most suspicious minds.

As much as the personal compliments the two leaders paid each other, it was manner in which they drew a tapestry of common bonds, experiences, and hopes that points to genuine new dynamics in this relationship.

As Clinton and his senior officials have made it abundantly clear in recent days, Washington is starting to look at India as a modern nation state that has endured the harshest birth pangs to reach adulthood, and is now ready for a partnership role.

Whether this recognition includes looking at the Kashmir issue through the prism of India's plurality is something that will become clear in the days ahead.

But for now, Clinton was again extravagant in his tribute to the Indian mosaic, comparing it to America's own and tying the two in a bond.

In both our societies you can find virtually every challenge humanity knows. And in both our societies you can find virtually every solution to thosechallenges: confidence in democracy, tolerance for diversity, a willingness to embrace economic and social change, Clinton said. So it is more than aslogan for Americans to say that India's success will be our success, and that together India and America can change the world.

Vajpayee also thanked First Lady Hillary Clinton for her presence recognising ``as a parliamentarian of 40 years standing'' her sacrifice in getting away from campaigning. Chelsea Clinton was away at the SydneyOlympics.

The grand finale to the visit and the gracious speeches that seem to lock the two countries together drew ecstatic praise from lawmakers and lobbyists.

``Isn't it something? This is really a new beginning; we are going to take off,'' said Congressman Jim McDermott, co-chairman of the India caucus, whoseconstituency appropriately involves three companies with prominent India-connections: Boeing, Microsoft, and Amazon.

Dressed at its very best, both sartorially and meteorologically, Washington gave Vajpayee a warm send-off after what almost every expert and analystssaid was a highly successful visit. Not even his obvious ill-health and infirmity was a dampener.

It might even have helped. This is a society that cares for its aging and its handicapped, one Indian official noted.