Ambassador Nancy J. Powell talks with Associate Foreign Editor Smita Sharma, IBN-7

New Delhi | May 15, 2012

Smita Sharma of IBN-7: With us on IBN-7 is a special guest today: Ambassador Nancy Powell who has recently arrived in New Delhi. She is a career diplomat, and was formerly the Ambassador to Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal -- translated from Hindi]. Thank you so much for speaking to IBN-7.  Namaste, of course you do know a couple of Hindi words, as you were just informing us.

Has the relationship slowed down in some sort of a way right now?  In terms of even the nuclear agreement.  Perhaps the U.S. has a feeling that it hasn't gone the way you would have wanted it to go or the defense deals or in areas like FDI in retail?

Ambassador Powell:  It's probably not a surprise to most Indians that Americans are impatient.  We have a very, very rapid timeframe and we expect things to move rapidly.  Obviously we would liked to have had these deals concluded and our companies doing many, many more things.  We recognize that some of the requirements take some time, they take political will, they take decision-making within the Indian government, so they've taken a little longer time.  Some people are frustrated by that. 

IBN-7:  But is there also a perception that the UPA government here, which is in its second term, has some way gone into a lame duck sort of a mode which is also essentially not being able to give the required political push for all these economic reforms?

Ambassador Powell:  I think there are some things that we'd like to see the government do, we're watching state governments as well.  But particularly, the business community watches the reform efforts and the pace of the reforms very carefully, looking at where Foreign Direct Investment is welcome, what levels it's welcome, whether the retail sector is going to open up further, whether companies are going to be looked at for retroactive taxes.  These are all things that companies, and as their representative, the government of the United States, looks at as well.

IBN-7:  Now Ms. Clinton started her trip with a tour to West Bengal where she  met up with the Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee.  So, did the FDI in retail issue, was it discussed in the course of the meeting?

Ambassador Powell:  Among the things was greater investment by the United States.  I don't know exactly the precise wording that was used.  I think Secretary Clinton indicated that our companies can come in to an area like West Bengal and to improve investment, the climate, and create jobs.

IBN-7:  We saw a lot of comments being made on the issue of Hafiz Saeed.  What is kind of confusing is, what is exactly the kind of evidence that can stand the scrutiny of Pakistani courts?  Confessions made by Kasab which have been handed over, shared even by the U.S., confessions made by David Headley.  Aren't these evidences enough?

Ambassador Powell:  Clearly the Rewards for Justice is looking for additional pieces, these can only lead to the arrest and then the conviction.  And we're prepared to work with those who have information, provide it to the Pakistanis in a way that is legal in their court system, and we're looking for a change in attitude.

IBN-7:  But there is no double standard involved here in dealing with terror groups that operate against India specifically?

Ambassador Powell:  No.  I don't think….

IBN-7:  and against American interests?

Ambassador Powell:  I don't believe so.  I think we lost six Americans in Mumbai.  They were among the victims as well as the Indian citizens who were killed. 

IBN-7:  When it comes to delivering justice to the victims of the Mumbai attacks, every time that Pakistan keeps on seeking evidence, there's a lot of information on Pakistani soil itself that the government can chase up and translate it into evidence.

Ambassador Powell:  I think any government where you're dealing with terrorism has that responsibility.  We deal with it in the United States, you deal with it in India, you deal with it in Pakistan.  We all three have legal systems that require certain procedures to be followed, that there are criteria for the evidence that can be permitted and is used in the trials, and these are part of our rule of law.  We do not want to see terrorism undermining the rule of law.  I think that's always one of the dangers.

IBN-7:  But there is a feeling that U.S. is arm twisting India on the Iranian issue.

Ambassador Powell:  If Iran were to continue with its weaponization program of nuclear weapons that it would be very destabilizing for the region.  That's not in our interest.  We don't see it in India's.  And we believe that you share that goal with us.

IBN-7:  If the import cuts do not happen as per U.S. expectations, post-July India would face financial sanctions.

Ambassador Powell:  Secretary Clinton will make that decision over the next six weeks.  We certainly are watching very carefully what is happening around the world, India is not the only country.  Japan has already cut back significantly.  Many countries in Europe have done so as well.  So, it is a worldwide effort to try to encourage the Iranians to live up to their responsibilities that they signed onto with the IAEA, with the NPT, and we hope that they will return to a peaceful nuclear program. 

IBN-7:  Perhaps India would of course have to do a tightrope walking.  Thank you so much for speaking to IBN-7, Ambassador Powell. 

[Ambassador Nancy Powell, the new U.S. Ambassador to India, gives this first interview to a Hindi channel. Smita Sharma, IBN-7. - translated from Hindi].