Robert Blackwill "What India means to me"1

Robert D. Blackwill

Ambassador Blackwill is returning to the US after a two year tenure in India. His Luncheon Speech, addressing the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi, came from the heart.

A retired US career diplomat, he taught foreign and defense policy at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School, before his nomination as U.S. Ambassador to India.

He was the Belfer Lecturer in International Security at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. During his 14 years at Harvard, he was Associate Dean of the Kennedy School, faculty chairman of the School's Executive Program for U.S. and Russian General Officers; of the School's Chinese Security Studies Program; and of the Kennedy School's Middle East Initiative.

As Special Assistant to President George Bush for European and Soviet Affairs in 1989-90, he was awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit by the Federal Republic of Germany for his contribution to German Unification.

He is the author of many books and articles.

Throughout my two years in New Delhi, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has been vital to the promotion of US-India relations. I especially salute FICCI's support in the establishment of the Indo-US Parliamentary Forum. This important body allows lawmakers from the world's two largest democracies to exchange views on a wide range of issues facing our countries.

I would like to thank all of you from FICCI for your extraordinary efforts and for inviting me here today.

Ten days ago, I gave my final policy speech as US Ambassador to India. Today, I shall share with you personal thoughts about how this country has shaped me during these past two years. Unlike Siddhartha, my meditations while preparing this address have not produced total Enlightenment. Unfortunately, Brahma and Saraswati, because of my own limitations, will not adequately inspire my remarks on this occasion with regard to my spiritual and intellectual advancement. I clearly need to spend more time at Brahma's temple in Pushkar.

And, despite my continuing contemplations, I am not always able to follow Krishna's wise words, "Be thou of even mind." He might have added, including at your Round Tables at Roosevelt House.

Notwithstanding my many inadequacies and the persistence of Maya, the ever-present veil of illusion, please permit me to proceed since India is the great storyteller, and because I am soon leaving this amazing country.

Shortly after my arrival, I took the train from New Delhi to Mumbai to see and feel the land and people of India. You must understand that I love to ride the rails. Paul Theroux, the glorious American writer who was my friend in the Peace Corps in Africa more than thirty years ago, describes train travel like this, "the train soothed and comforted me and stimulated my imagination. It …provided access to my past by activating my memory. I had made a discovery: I would gladly go anywhere on a train." That's also me.

So let's quickly take the train around India, pausing in Delhi before we begin.