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The difference has caused, observers say, the American image to be capitalistic, imperial and elitist while the Soviets are perceived as "pro-people." Says one high Indian source: "The Soviets have not only established contacts among the urban elite, but they have gone to the smaller towns to form Indo-Soviet friendship societies and socialist study groups. The Indian is impressed that the average Soviet is interested in learning our languages. Their cultural officers stay here for years and years." Says another Indian observer: "The best impact ever made by the Americans was a group of high school students who gave a musical performance. They were open-faced, bright young people. They were fascinated by elephants. Such a group singing folk songs is worth more than 500 articles on American policy, which only puts people's backs up."
Former U.S. Ambassador Robert Goheen, who was born in India, says the ICA has done a respectable job with its limited money, but adds that the effect of Moscow's enormous effort is worrisome. Says he: "The Soviets have created an image of a country that is non-threatening and supportive of India. Because of a record of more than 30 years, Soviet ships in the Indian Ocean are perceived as benign, whereas American ships raise the threat of a superpower confrontation." One ray of hope is that Soviet actions, such as the invasion of Afghanistan, will undo that country's public relations prowess, and that the U.S. will not repeat policy shifts that angered the Indians, such as the Carter Administration's withholding of promised nuclear fuel. Says Goheen: "All the public diplomacy in the world cannot overcome the erratic or threatening actions of a country."
—By Walter Isaacson.
Reported by Hays Gorey/Washington and Bruce W. Nelan/Moscow