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Race to be India's new best friend Race to be India's new best friend
(about 3 hours later)
By Chris Morris BBC News, DelhiBy Chris Morris BBC News, Delhi
They have been practising for the big Republic Day parade in Delhi this week.They have been practising for the big Republic Day parade in Delhi this week.
India marks the anniversary of becoming a republic in 1950All along Raj Path - the ceremonial road that runs from the presidential palace to the war memorial at India Gate - the military bands have been marching, and the children gathering.India marks the anniversary of becoming a republic in 1950All along Raj Path - the ceremonial road that runs from the presidential palace to the war memorial at India Gate - the military bands have been marching, and the children gathering.
Assorted camels, dressed up in splendid regimental livery, have been put through their paces, solemnly chewing their lips as they plod along.Assorted camels, dressed up in splendid regimental livery, have been put through their paces, solemnly chewing their lips as they plod along.
And above them - for a few days at least - the Union Jack was to be seen, fluttering in an unusually strong Delhi breeze, alongside the saffron, white and green of the Indian tricolour.And above them - for a few days at least - the Union Jack was to be seen, fluttering in an unusually strong Delhi breeze, alongside the saffron, white and green of the Indian tricolour.
Republic Day is a big celebration of Indian power and prestige Quite like old times? Well no, not at all.Republic Day is a big celebration of Indian power and prestige Quite like old times? Well no, not at all.
For years the image of India in Britain seemed to be stuck in the past. It was all about tea and cricket and faint imperial echoes.For years the image of India in Britain seemed to be stuck in the past. It was all about tea and cricket and faint imperial echoes.
But those days are long gone.But those days are long gone.
Republic Day is a big celebration of Indian power and prestige. And this is a country feeling pretty good about itself at the moment.Republic Day is a big celebration of Indian power and prestige. And this is a country feeling pretty good about itself at the moment.
Gripped by an economic boom and inspired by Indian business giants buying up brand names around the world - Jaguar and Land Rover could well be next - those who are doing well, are doing very well indeed.Gripped by an economic boom and inspired by Indian business giants buying up brand names around the world - Jaguar and Land Rover could well be next - those who are doing well, are doing very well indeed.
And now, everyone wants to be part of it.And now, everyone wants to be part of it.
Big businessBig business
The Union Jack was on display to greet Gordon Brown and his delegation of corporate bigwigs and academics - just the latest in a long line of visitors looking for business in a country in the midst of dizzying change.The Union Jack was on display to greet Gordon Brown and his delegation of corporate bigwigs and academics - just the latest in a long line of visitors looking for business in a country in the midst of dizzying change.
Gordon Brown has been visiting India to promote trade with the UKThey talked of the ties of history, of shared values, and everything else political leaders like to hark on about when they are being nice to each other. But they know Britain has got some healthy competition when it comes to being best friends with India.Gordon Brown has been visiting India to promote trade with the UKThey talked of the ties of history, of shared values, and everything else political leaders like to hark on about when they are being nice to each other. But they know Britain has got some healthy competition when it comes to being best friends with India.
So one of the themes of Mr Brown's brief visit here: this is a relationship looking forward, not back.So one of the themes of Mr Brown's brief visit here: this is a relationship looking forward, not back.
To make his point - those ties of history again - he quoted Winston Churchill.To make his point - those ties of history again - he quoted Winston Churchill.
"Those who build the present in the image of the past," he said, "will miss out entirely on the challenges of the future.""Those who build the present in the image of the past," he said, "will miss out entirely on the challenges of the future."
And when it comes to India, British business has suddenly woken up to the fact that the future is now.And when it comes to India, British business has suddenly woken up to the fact that the future is now.
Billions of pounds worth of deals are being discussed, and not just by the big players - the Virgins and the Vodaphones - who flew in on the prime ministerial plane. Billions of pounds worth of deals are being discussed, and not just by the big players - the Virgins and the Vodafones - who flew in on the prime ministerial plane.
In the last few days, I have met British architects who want to design world-class Indian buildings, a company that hopes to sell heart-rate monitors to 600,000 GPs - not a bad customer base - and a British Asian woman planning to come back to the land of her fathers to open a network of fashion boutiques.In the last few days, I have met British architects who want to design world-class Indian buildings, a company that hopes to sell heart-rate monitors to 600,000 GPs - not a bad customer base - and a British Asian woman planning to come back to the land of her fathers to open a network of fashion boutiques.
Whether super-rich, upwardly mobile, or dirt poor, all Indians know their country is changing None of them is here cap-in-hand, but all of them are looking for a good bit of business. They know this is a place they cannot afford to ignore.Whether super-rich, upwardly mobile, or dirt poor, all Indians know their country is changing None of them is here cap-in-hand, but all of them are looking for a good bit of business. They know this is a place they cannot afford to ignore.
In a few years' time India could have a middle class of half a billion people. And with numbers like that, the day could be coming when Britain will need India more than India needs Britain.In a few years' time India could have a middle class of half a billion people. And with numbers like that, the day could be coming when Britain will need India more than India needs Britain.
For the moment, though, it is a work in progress. A jumble of confusion and opportunity.For the moment, though, it is a work in progress. A jumble of confusion and opportunity.
BoomtownBoomtown
Just up the road from my new home in South Delhi, a massive new shopping mall is taking shape.Just up the road from my new home in South Delhi, a massive new shopping mall is taking shape.
When it is finished it will be one of the largest in Asia, all gleaming glass, razzmatazz and international brands.When it is finished it will be one of the largest in Asia, all gleaming glass, razzmatazz and international brands.
Right next door is a bedraggled collection of shanties and huts - temporary homes for the migrant workers who have come to build the new boomtown.Right next door is a bedraggled collection of shanties and huts - temporary homes for the migrant workers who have come to build the new boomtown.
Just a handful of the hundreds of millions of people who live on less than a £1($2) a day, they have yet to see any benefits from India's new-found dynamism.Just a handful of the hundreds of millions of people who live on less than a £1($2) a day, they have yet to see any benefits from India's new-found dynamism.
But whether super-rich, upwardly mobile, or dirt-poor, all Indians know their country is changing - in extraordinary ways with far-reaching consequences. And the rest of the world, Britain included, knows it too.But whether super-rich, upwardly mobile, or dirt-poor, all Indians know their country is changing - in extraordinary ways with far-reaching consequences. And the rest of the world, Britain included, knows it too.
Cricket honoursCricket honours
Of course some things will stay the same. Cricket still dominates the front pages here.Of course some things will stay the same. Cricket still dominates the front pages here.
Cricket represents a lasting cultural link between Britain and IndiaThese days it is all about beating Australia Down Under, and Indian cricketers are every bit the celebrity superstars that Premiership footballers have become in England.Cricket represents a lasting cultural link between Britain and IndiaThese days it is all about beating Australia Down Under, and Indian cricketers are every bit the celebrity superstars that Premiership footballers have become in England.
So when the Indian media got their chance to put a question to Mr Brown, what was the burning issue? Trade, development, climate change?So when the Indian media got their chance to put a question to Mr Brown, what was the burning issue? Trade, development, climate change?
"Any chance," they asked, "of an honorary knighthood for their master batsman, Sachin Tendulkar?""Any chance," they asked, "of an honorary knighthood for their master batsman, Sachin Tendulkar?"
"Not really my decision," was Mr Brown's diplomatic reply."Not really my decision," was Mr Brown's diplomatic reply.
But he made it pretty clear that he would not quibble with the words "Arise Sir Sachin."But he made it pretty clear that he would not quibble with the words "Arise Sir Sachin."
And that is probably another good bit of business. Because getting on with India is not optional, it has become a matter of necessity.And that is probably another good bit of business. Because getting on with India is not optional, it has become a matter of necessity.
One day - and it is a good few years away yet - a "special relationship" in South Asia could be as important as the "special relationship" across the Atlantic. In that other foreign land where British rule has been long forgotten.One day - and it is a good few years away yet - a "special relationship" in South Asia could be as important as the "special relationship" across the Atlantic. In that other foreign land where British rule has been long forgotten.
From Our Own Correspondent was broadcast on Thursday ,24 January, 2008 at 1100 GMT on BBC Radio 4. Please check the programme schedules for World Service transmission times.From Our Own Correspondent was broadcast on Thursday ,24 January, 2008 at 1100 GMT on BBC Radio 4. Please check the programme schedules for World Service transmission times.