Ex-US envoys to India push for reforms

Former US diplomats, who served as country's Ambassador to India in the last two decades, today shared the frustration of the American businesses on economic reforms in India, but unanimously agreed that the prospects of bilateral India-US relationship remains strong.
Frank Wisner, who was the US Ambassador to India from 1994 to 1997, went to the extent of declaring that there has been a "decline" in the brand of India in the last few years, expressing concerns over the current economic condition in the country.
Robert Blackwill, who was the top US envoy in New Delhi from 2001-2003, said the current problem in trade relationship between the two countries is problematic and makes many anxious.

The relationship is "troubled now, but manageable", he said but quickly added that in the long term India-US relationship is going to flower.
"But I think, the next few couple of years is worrisome," he said.
Wisner, Blackwill and three other former US Ambassadors to India - Thomas Pickering (1992-93), Richard Celeste (1997-2001) and Timothy Roemer (2009-2011) - were speaking at a round table at the 38th Annual Leadership Summit of the US India Business Council.

Roemer, who was the US Ambassador to India in the first term of the Obama Administration, hoped that India would do something to address the concerns of the US industry and businesses including pharma, insurance, defense and insurance sectors and take steps that will open up the Indian market and bring in foreign direct investment.

Pickering in his remarks argued the need for a free trade agreement between the two countries.
"Time has arrived for India-US bilateral FTA (free trade agreement). It is not going to be easy," he said.
The former US envoy also argued that the US should put the Iran, Pakistan and India gas pipeline as one of the items of negotiations with the Iranians on its nuclear weapons programme.
"I have noticed in the last few years a decline in the India brand," Wisner said, adding it the time of slow growth rate, troubles in rupee, and lackluster economic reform, India needs to address specific issues for the American business.

Wisner urged India to take bold steps and argued that India should not wait for the elections for the next phase of economic reforms.
"One needs to take actions in critical legislative reforms like pension and insurance. If promises are not kept, it would be difficult," he warned.