Former US Ambassador to India, and currently vice-chairman of one of the largest US insurance companies, the American Inter -national Group, Frank G. Wisner is one man who's bullish on India, swadeshi or no swadeshi. His is indeed a reassuring voice
On what the new government should do:The singlemost important step (it) can take to put India on the minds of US capital and investment market is to deploy the right economic policies—policies that will truly open up the infrastructure sector, policies that make financial flows much easier, that make India grow.
On how India can reassure US investors:If you've got a good message, it'll sell itself. But it's certainly enhanced by good salesmanship. After the government's economic team is in place, works out its new budget and develops its economic package, (it should) come and explain it to Americans. Right now, (we) see from a distance a changing government, uncertain policies and start-stop approaches to critical sectors like power. So there is a lot of confusion. That confusion can be overcome, but it has to be addressed.
On perceptions about a BJP-led government:There's no inherent animosity towards BJP in this country. There's wariness born out of ignorance. BJP leaders are not known in the US. (They) don't know American politicians and American media people. (They) have been Indian opposition politicians. Now they've a chance to step on the world stage.
On how the BJP led government should look at US investors: One, they shouldn't assume there's hostility, and two, they should assume there's a lot of ignorance. They can write on a blank slate. People want a good relationship with India and nobody is going to ipso facto reject that.