India has gained worldwide attention as one of the fastest growing markets and a respected, responsible democracy. In recognition of the country's emergence as the next big business market, Asia Society -- an organisation that educates Americans about Asia -- has organised a conference in Mumbai on March 18-20.
To be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the conference will include business and government leaders to explore Asia's economic future in the context of India's role as a growing economy. The participants include Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Frank Wisner, former US ambassador to India, Biocon's Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, Ratan Tata among many other delegates from China, Japan, Pakistan and Singapore.
Asia Society President Vishakha Desai chats about India's rise and the work the Society has done to strengthen Indo-US ties. Chat transcript follows:
Vishakha Desai says, Hi, this is Vishakha here! Let's chat.
ShaunSkariah asked, Greetings Mrs. Desai, congratulations on opening the Mumbai Center and thank you for joining us, it truly is a pleasure. Please inform Sanjeev that he is missed. One can say India is a stubborn country, very weary of foreign influence and change. But one could also argue that India's civilizational depth insulates its thinking and forces it to pursue change in small steady steps but especially when forced to do so (responding to crisis). Please explain how the Asia Society in India, as well as internationally, can be an outlet of Indian ideas but more importantly an inlet.
Vishakha Desai answers, I agree with you that India is often seen as insular and weary of foreign influence and that indeed changes in India often come incrementally. It would be wrong of me to presume that any one organisation, including Asia Society, can actually change a cultural ethos completely. However, one of our main goals in establishing the India Centre is to bring ideas from especilly other parts of Asia into an Indian dialogue. I would hope that that would be the kind of input that Asia Society could bring in the Indian atmosphere.
tptnani asked, What are the main reasons for India to become a global economic pivot?
Vishakha Desai answers, Today India is recognised as having a tremendous potential for becoming a global economic player. Partly this is due to the recognition that India is able to achieve a sustained economic growth and that the government is finally implementing the kind of reforms that are necessary for India to become a strong economy. But it is fair to say that this is relatively new for India and if some of the changes are not sustained, once again outsiders will lose confidence in India.
ramananda asked, Maam, what can Mumbai look forward to with the opening of this center here?
Vishakha Desai answers, First of all, let me emphasise that the Centre is here to serve all of India and not just Mumbai. But I do hope that Mumbaikars who pride themselves in being cosmopolitan will enjoy learning about other Asian countries through programmes in arts and culture, policy and business and education field. many of our programmes will be public and available to all. So if you are interested in learning more about us, you may want to join and become a member. you can go to our web site www.asiasociety.org
Asian asked, what is it that is going to break the myth that asia is not only a sleeping giant but something of a force to reckon with?
Vishakha Desai answers, I think that already on the world stage and amongst knowledgeable people, there is an awareness that economic rise of China and India is here to stay and that Asia will be a force to reckon with in the 21st century.
kishore asked, What according to you are the biggest changes that have happened in India as far as growth is concerned?
Vishakha Desai answers, I think this question can only be answered if you decide what is your benchmark. Since 1991, with the liberalisation of the economic policies, one is very aware of tremendous changes in the car industry as well as appliances. I think the most important change that I can see is in the level of confidence that one sees in all sectors in India.
Ajay asked, Do you think that excitement about India is really about its potential rather than present reality.. What are the chances that India will realize this potential? What are the major risks that might derail its progress?
Vishakha Desai answers, I think at the moment there is a sense of the potential since the reality is still very young. But one can sense that India is not about to revert to an older, closed social model. The major risks to India's economic potential-cum-growth are definitely in the inability to transform the infrastructure issues and lack of education across the different levels of society.
ashaiq1 asked, hi ,Good afternoon madam, i am a young enterprenuer from Jammu & kashmir as their is not much growth of anything E.g take industry,it and other sectors what do u think the best way that we can emerge and make investors of other countries to invest here and help us eradicate unemployment from society.?
Vishakha Desai answers, I am glad to hear from you from Jammu and Kashmir and I can sympathise with your somewhat
pessimistic outlook about economic developments in the region. I do believe that the only way others will come to your troubled region will be when we can assure safety of visitors and when we can guarantee that politics will not overwhelm economic necessities.