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Undiplomatically yours, by Frank Wisner: Financial Express
Ambassador Frank Wisner, former US envoy to New Delhi, has upset some important people in his visit this time. The evidence is following:
Ambassador Frank Wisner, former US envoy to New Delhi, has upset some important people in his visit this time. The evidence is following:
The ex-envoy, who is heading a non-descript group of US investors in New Delhi under the US-India Business Council (US-IBC), did not show up for his appointment with home minister L K Advani, sources in North Block said. A similar treatment awaited finance minister Yashwant Sinha too.
His team has done no better. Because none of them were big-ticket investors already present in India, Mr Sinha tried to win ’em over by giving them a peek into the new growth figure, 4.5-5.0 per cent. An unimpressed delegate (read cultural misfit) told him that they have been hearing a figure of 5.5 per cent, and in the interest of credibility, they would like to know where India really stood on the subject. No guesses, the FM could do no better than move on to another subject. Then petroleum minister Ram Naik rather kindly gave Mr Wisner a slot that he protects for his lunch. But Mr Wisner appeared on the scene 45 minutes late. Ministry officials were surprised to find the diplomat unapologetic, and even willing to call the whole thing off, if the minister was so upset. Mr Naik did end up having the meeting, though only for a couple of minutes. Naturally, there was nothing substantive about it.
His team has done no better. Because none of them were big-ticket investors already present in India, Mr Sinha tried to win ’em over by giving them a peek into the new growth figure, 4.5-5.0 per cent. An unimpressed delegate (read cultural misfit) told him that they have been hearing a figure of 5.5 per cent, and in the interest of credibility, they would like to know where India really stood on the subject. No guesses, the FM could do no better than move on to another subject. Then petroleum minister Ram Naik rather kindly gave Mr Wisner a slot that he protects for his lunch. But Mr Wisner appeared on the scene 45 minutes late. Ministry officials were surprised to find the diplomat unapologetic, and even willing to call the whole thing off, if the minister was so upset. Mr Naik did end up having the meeting, though only for a couple of minutes. Naturally, there was nothing substantive about it.