United States President George W. Bush has his eyes firmly set on the economy, as he prepares the ground for his visit to India. If Mr Bush used his Asia Society speech on Wednesday night to address Indians, he also tried to hardsell the emerging Indo-US relations to a restive domestic audience by suggesting that India is a potential market for American goods and services in the short and the long term.
It can become an even "bigger market" for America’s businesses and workers and farmers as Indian economy grows, he said in the televised address ahead of his first trip to India, suggesting in the process that an economic component to the strategic partnership could not be mistaken.
Allaying fears about outsourcing and job-losses, Mr Bush also ventured to placate some Americans by asserting that trade with India would create opportunities at home and make the United States companies more competitive. "It’s good," he said, "Younger Indians are acquiring a taste for pizzas from Domino’s and Pizza Hut."
"We must also recognise that India’s growth is creating new opportunities for our businesses, farmers and workers. India’s middle-class is now estimated at 300 million people. That’s greater than the entire population of the United States," he observed. "India’s middle-class is buying air-conditioners, kitchen appliances, and washing machines, and a lot of them from American companies like GE, and Whirlpool, and Westinghouse. Today Indian consumers associate American brands with quality and value, and this trade is creating opportunity here at home," he said.
It can become an even "bigger market" for America’s businesses and workers and farmers as Indian economy grows, he said in the televised address ahead of his first trip to India, suggesting in the process that an economic component to the strategic partnership could not be mistaken.
Allaying fears about outsourcing and job-losses, Mr Bush also ventured to placate some Americans by asserting that trade with India would create opportunities at home and make the United States companies more competitive. "It’s good," he said, "Younger Indians are acquiring a taste for pizzas from Domino’s and Pizza Hut."
"We must also recognise that India’s growth is creating new opportunities for our businesses, farmers and workers. India’s middle-class is now estimated at 300 million people. That’s greater than the entire population of the United States," he observed. "India’s middle-class is buying air-conditioners, kitchen appliances, and washing machines, and a lot of them from American companies like GE, and Whirlpool, and Westinghouse. Today Indian consumers associate American brands with quality and value, and this trade is creating opportunity here at home," he said.