HHS Students Visit Embassy of India

Long Live Gandhi!!!

Mr. Sharma poses with Political Science Students at the Embassy of India

After a short video on India, Embassy Press Counselor, Mr. Bambawale gave a brief lecture focusing on Indian foreign policy and then answered questions.

Niki- To what extent do the words and philosophy of Gandhi still guide India? ANSWER- India is a pluralistic nation and is tolerant of many religions and different types of people. This is the teaching of Gandhi. His teachings focused on truth and this remains a part of the consciousness of Indians. Now, India does have its fair share of crime, etc., but after all, Not all of us are Gandhi's.

Wafa- Taking as an example the recent riots in Gujarat, how will India approach the issue of violence erupting in religiously diverse contexts? Is religion the problem, or can it in fact be the solution? In short, does India, a self-proclaimed secular state believe that public religion should be avoided or should it be fostered toward positive ends? ANSWER- One reason why India is able to have peaceful relations with those of different faiths is because India does not have a state religion. Our Prime Minister (a Sikh) is a symbol of the religious peaceful coexistence in India.

Mouna- Why did India not sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty? ANSWER- We felt the treaty was unfair. You had a group of "Have" nations on one side and "Have Not" nations on the other. Remember, the first job of government is to secure your nation. So when we tested our weapons in 1999 we were not breaking any international laws. What Iran and North Korea are doing is quite different from that because they signed the non-proliferation treaty.

Christian- Why do you think American companies are so interested in doing business in India? ANSWER- India and America have similar values. We are both secular nations and both are democracies. A large part of the Indian population speaks English and there is a large Indian population in the U.S. which serves as a connection between the two countries. This makes it easy to do business.

Katherine- Pakistan once suggested that Israel would destroy Pakistan's nuclear facilities in collusion with India. Has your government ever had such a discussion with Israel? ANSWER- That is not true. India has never had such a conversation. All our conversations with Israel are about relations between our two nations.

Meghan- As the United States and Pakistan formed a closer relationship after 9/11, were you concerned that the U.S. may favor Pakistan overall at the expense of India? ANSWER- It was necessary for the U.S. to form a closer bond with Pakistan in order to advance the search for Osama Bin Laden. This has not had a negative effect on U.S.-India relations.

Darius- Have you traveled around the U.S. and if so what are your favorite places? ANSWER- I have only been to New York and Washington, but I am going to California over Christmas so maybe I can answer your question better when I come back.

Lindsay- Gandhi once said that he wanted to "see the British off as friends when we become independent." Are there any lingering resentments toward the British for the way they administered colonial rule? How is the relationship between India and Britain today? ANSWER- India and Britain have extremely close relations. Many Indians live in Britain and Britain supports India in our campaign to have a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Gloria- Do you find the U.S. to be a hypocritical nation when it tells other nations not to acquire nuclear weapons when we have more than any other nation? ANSWER- Well I was talking around this issue before but the threat today is not nations having nuclear weapons, but having weapons fall into the hands of terrorists. I will say when powers such as the Permanent 5 on the UN Security Council decide to give up their nuclear weapons, India will be willing to do so as well.

Gloria and Michelle Present Mr. Bambawale and Mr. Sharma with HHS gear as a token of our appreciation for meeting with us.

Lunch Time!

"We would like your students to sample Indian cuisine, so you will dine with us"-Mr. Sharma

Carmen, Sarah and Colleen

Steve and Masha

Tara, Michelle and Meghan

Mouna and Natalie

Gloria

Mr. Sharma, Mr. Graney, Ms.Small