The Reluctant Duo

Abstract

T his presentation is based on personal experience during the decade covering the Eisenhower and Ken edy administrations. The value of these personal assessments is high because of the absence at that time of realistic knowledge of each other or broad-based state-to-state relations between the United States and India. It was therefore inevitable that personal experiences, expectations, and, perhaps, prejudices influenced the way Indians and Americans perceived and dealt with each other. This was probably more so earlier than it is now. This presentation draws mainly on introspection into memories of the years when I was growing up, the years of my political socialization, if you will, first as a student among India's Western-educated elite and then as a junior member of the Indian Foreign Service, one who served in Washington in the 1960s. I have also consulted colleagues and friends older than I am and have referred to the copious documentation available on that period. Though some may take issue with specific points, this effort to be honest and plain spoken is not intended to offend anyone. I need hardly add that present company-as is also true of the excellent U.S. ambassadors to India of that period'-are excepted from any generalizations I may venture about Americans as then seen by Indians.