Former US ambassador urges India to open up more

BANGALORE: The issue of outsourcing of jobs to India would cease being a political issue in the long-term if India makes efforts to encourage more US imports and investments, according to former US ambassador to India Robert D Blackwill. He was addressing CII members on the future of US-India relations. Continuing on the outsourcing issue, he said, "It is important for India to be more open to US investments so that the US can make up for the loss of jobs to India."






Blackwill called for increased cooperation between the US and India in areas like defense, nuclear energy and space. "We should end constraints on assistance to and cooperation with India's civil nuclear industry and high tech trade, changing laws and policy when necessary," he opined. He stated that US secretary of state Condoleeza Rice's visit to India would boost Indo-US ties.





Blackwill also urged the US to support the early entry of India and China into the G-8. Further he also called for the US to supply the Indian armed forces with the best weapons systems through co-production and licensed manufacture arrangements.





After his term as ambassador, Blackwill took up position as president of a Washington based Republican lobbying firm Barbour, Griffith & Rogers International, which is involved in policy issues.