Domestic pulls of the second JFK

For Democratic presidential hopeful John F. Kerry, rhetoric against outsourcing does not necessarily translate to being anti-India. The Massachusetts senator has in the recent past indicated his willingness to work towards closer ties with India and with Indian Americans.

Kerry was critical that the Bush administration had not confided in India after Pakistan’s nuclear proliferation came to light. He had also endeared himself to the community when, on his nomination campaign tour of Iowa in 2003, he showed up with Indian American first-time legislator Swati Dandekar, visited her home and gave a speech there with hundreds listening.

In an interview to The Indian Express, Dandekar had said Kerry had told her several times he was keen to highlight to America the high values, education levels and success of the Indian American community. ‘‘He is an admirer of India,’’ Dandekar had said.

Several senior Democrat politicians too have indicated Kerry is all for recognising the contribution of the Indian American community. Senator Hillary Clinton made this all too clear at a meeting in Long Island recently, at a prominent Indian American businessman’s house.

Kerry’S speeches on India and Indian Americans have trickled in more slowly after he secured his nomination though, says Christopher Dumm, executive director of the Indian American Center for Political Awareness, Washington, DC.

Yet, says Dumm, ‘‘He (Kerry) has made it clear that he does not want to lump India with other Asian countries like China or Japan. He clearly recognises India’s importance.’’

The Center is the only one to have on record Kerry’s position on key issues related to India and the Indian American diaspora. In a survey conducted by the Center in 2003, before he secured his nomination, Kerry answered all the questions sent to him:

• On international terrorism: ‘‘I strongly believe that we must continue to work together to bolster our joint capacities. I would continue the combined naval and special forces exercises … I would like our counter-terrorism forces to take tougher actions against terrorist financing.’’

• On Indo-US joint military exercises: ‘‘I believe it is important, to both the United States and to India, that the relationship between our two countries continue to grow in every aspect, including defence.’’

• On a free trade agreement: ‘‘I am open to the basic concept of free trade agreements, but they must move countries forward. Such agreements need to include internationally recognised core-labour standards and environmental protections.’’

• On hate crimes against Sikhs: ‘‘I am an original co-sponsor of federal hate crimes legislation … We need a backup system to assure that every hate crime is properly vindicated.’’

• On visa controls: ‘‘I support a comprehensive approach to immigration which makes use of technology and intelligence information to assure those who would do harm to the United States never make it to our shores … I oppose measures which harass and make legitimate international travel difficult.’’

The survey didn’t feature a question on outsourcing. ‘‘Last fall,’’ explains Dumm, ‘‘it was not such a burning issue.’’

Suggesting a more nuanced approach than is usually recognised, observers say Kerry favours penalties on MNCs who take jobs out of America without adequate notice to domestic workers. But he has nothing against countries that do outsourcing work. That’s some comfort for India.