Taking India's fight to the Hill

[lovuian]

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GH27Df01.html

Taking India's fight to the Hill
By Ramtanu Maitra

Recent reports indicate that the Indian Embassy in Washington, following consultations with New Delhi, has appointed Washington's lobbying heavyweight, Barbour Griffith & Rogers International (BG&R), which could get down to business as early as next month.

The news should not come as a complete surprise to Asia Times Online readers. This author, in an article The man who oils India's wheels, dated January 25, informed readers that soon after his resignation from the State Department, former US ambassador to India, Robert Blackwill, was hired as president by BG&R in November 2004.

According to BG&R's web site, its clients include the Republic of China (Taiwan).

His appointment was not only a "Good Samaritan" act by Blackwill's friends; it also enhanced BG&R's prestige and made it a potent competitor for a host of contracts in Iraq, India and
elsewhere, the author predicted. It is apparent that the auspicious moment has arrived and the appointment could not be delayed any further. The article indicated that BG&R was going to be hired by the Indian Embassy as lobbyists

snip...

Arms sales in progress
In addition to the nuclear agreement, the new India-US relationship also includes arms purchases by New Delhi. Reports indicate Indian and US officials are preparing to discuss the possible sale to New Delhi of US weaponry - including Aegis missile systems, an amphibious platform dock ship, anti-submarine patrol aircraft and Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3 air defense systems. These could be concluded when Lieutenant-General Jeffrey Kohler, the Pentagon's Defense Cooperation Security Agency chief, visits New Delhi next month.

Asia Times Online has reported that the Indian Defense Ministry is negotiating the purchase of the USS Trenton, a decommissioned Austin-class amphibious transport dock, built in 1971 and used in transporting large numbers of troops over long distances.
snip...

Power on the Hill
In addition to the presence of Blackwill as president, BG&R is partnered by Haley Barbour, now the Republican Governor of Mississippi. Beyond that, Barbour was chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) from 1993-1996. Barbour served as executive director of the Mississippi Republican Party from 1973 to 1976 and as a top political adviser in the Reagan White House in the mid-1980s before becoming RNC chairman.

Barbour is now chairman and CEO of BG&R, one of Washington's top-ranked lobbying firms, and is part-owner of the Caucus Room, a Washington restaurant that caters to the political set. His role as a prominent Washington lobbyist - representing corporate giants such as Lockheed Martin and Microsoft - helped make Barbour a millionaire.
more...

This truly is scary stuff!!!!!!
:nuke:

[Parche]

1. india

I dont trust India at all.....never had

[Orrin_73]

2. They will lobby for more jobs

to be outsourced. Now thats what I call republican patriotism, taking away jobs from amricans and send it offshore.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

3. Lay off American workers while the CEO gets record pay.

That's the Republican way.

[Robert Oak]

4. India petitioned the WTO for more US jobs

they are claiming that limiting the number of jobs to be insourced (this is bringing in foreigners at cheaper wages under the US VISA system) and offshore outsourced is a "barrier to trade".

Recently there was a report that Americans are NOT ALLOWED to apply for jobs "destined" for foreigners through the VISA program.

Now they are going to barter "nuclear war" to get these jobs.

This really is out of hand and believe me, this is labor arbitrage pure and simple.

[lovuian]

5. This looks like the new Haven for the Corporations!!!

They have control of India's government but do they have control of its people!!! I don't think so!!!000