What the media said about Obama's visit to India

While watching the MEA press conference yesterday, I felt that there were "less details" about the Indo-US talks and less concrete answers when the journalists' pressed for more information.

So, the following is what the foreign and Indian press said about the talks. Understandably, the US media was more skeptical, while the Indian media was not sure about the nitty-gritties of the deal and the insurance pool amount that will be created. Overall the reports indicated a new warmth and progress in Indo-US relations, but also noted the atmospherics and the live media coverage.

New York Times:

"...two countries sought to transform a fraught geopolitical relationship into a fresh partnership for a new era of cooperation."

On nuclear liability: "...The details remained vague, and it was unclear whether the understanding would convince American companies.."

"...Mr. Modi’s reference to Mr. Obama by his first name drew notice..." (Talking heads on TV saw a problem here and remarked that it was inappropriate).

"...But more broadly, India set no specific goals limiting greenhouse gases, as Beijing did in November..."

"...India indicated it would set up a government-backed insurance pool to cover some of the risk, but not all of it...'

"...Some analysts said the understanding sounded vague and inconclusive...."

Washington Post

The paper's Headline said, Obama, India’s Modi claim breakthrough on nuclear issues

"...a three-day visit that is heavy on pageantry and symbolism..."

LA Times Headline:  was a bit critical"...Modi rejected calls for India to match China’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions..." "...The meeting between the two leaders was rich in atmospherics,.."

"...Indian officials have also offered to create an insurance pool to shelter nuclear suppliers from liability in case of an accident,.."

Wall Street Journal

The story headlined " U.S. and India Advance Nuclear Trade"  says "...None of Sunday’s discussions amounted to a major accord..."

" Mr. Obama said he and Mr. Modi had achieved “breakthrough understandings,...but he offered no specifics..."

" The agreement calls for a...“memorandum of law”—essentially an executive action—could be used to ensure that India is in compliance with international rules on liability..."

The Guardian Newspaper says "....Obama and Modi agree to limit US liability in case of nuclear disaster..." The story added "...Details of the deal remain vague,.."

Now the Indian media

The Hindu is quite sure that there is no dilution of liability law and says "...an enhanced insurance pool with a liability package of atleast $200 million..."

The Times of India's headline was more pro-business fluff, but the paper was skeptical on the liability clause indicating it will be tested on courts. 

The Hindustan Times saw a "...dramatic progress in the stalled six-year-old civilian nuclear agreement ..." and agreement on "...setting up a Rs. 1,500-crore “insurance pool..."

The DNA report hinted that a everything was agreed upon a week before and the tea session Obama and Modi had at the Hyderabad House finally clinched the deal (How the reporter came to know about this is the question). "...India's five public sector insurance companies will stand to insurance Rs 750 crore..." 

Towards the end the story descends into jingoistic stuff like "...the agreement is an outcome of the US' recognition that India is a major power in the 21st century..." It marks the end of the nuclear apartheid India has been subject to in the last three decades. The deal recognizes India as a nuclear power..."

The Indian Express had more details in multiple stories and did document the long path ahead for the nuclear deal that was claimed to be done.