When didi met didi

The contradictory statements that emanated from the meeting between Clinton and Banerjee on Monday do not capture the full meaning of this rare political encounter. American officials said the issue of foreign direct investment in the retail sector was touched upon in the conversation between the two leaders. Spokesmen for Banerjee,who had opposed Delhi’s plans to open up the retail sector,issued a strong denial. But there seems no denying that Clinton and Banerjee agreed upon the importance of promoting US investment in West Bengal. Banerjee declared it a “matter of pride” for West Bengal that a US secretary of state came calling on Kolkata for the first time since Independence. That Banerjee was willing to discuss any foreign investment in her state is,indeed,progress.

In her talks with Banerjee,Clinton also outlined her vision for Kolkata,“as a hub in the Silk Road Strategy to connect the countries of East,South and Central Asia”. Clinton is re-imagining the role of Bengal and other parts of India in the unfolding integration of Asia. In her visit to Chennai last year she spoke with some passion about Tamil Nadu’s historic connections to Southeast Asia and the prospects for reinventing them. But few in Delhi have dared to dream of such big possibilities. Above all,Clinton’s meeting with Banerjee was about connecting America to the new regional forces shaping India’s destiny. Learning a trick or two from Clinton,Delhi might want to send an emissary to Kolkata to begin a serious political engagement with Banerjee. Instead of painting her as obstructionist or sounding helpless,Delhi must make more of an effort to find political common ground with Kolkata.