"Indonesia is grounded in India. The Mahabarata and the Ramayana originated here. There is no doubt that India has an impressive cultural background. It is a cultural superpower".

Andi Ghalib, Indonesia's ambassador to India, sips on hot tea and chats about his time in India, a country where "unity in diversity" is stretched to the absolute limit.

With almost two years of ambassadorial duties under his belt in New Delhi and a hectic schedule of duties at that, he has seen a generous chunk of Indian life, at a time when India is beginning to sparkle like the legendary Koh-i-noor diamond.

I wanted to glean the ambassador's impressions of India; the differences between Indonesia and India and what India means for Indonesians and vice versa.

We are sitting in the uber-modern Meridien Hotel cafe in New Delhi, sipping on rainbow-colored juices and eating Caesar salad, pondering over the beauty and the beast that is India.

As A.A. Gill states, "Always in India you're confronted with these juxtapositions of wealth and poverty; power and hopelessness; of sublime beauty and shocking ugliness. Everywhere you look there is binary metaphor, an encyclopedia of contradiction, dichotomy and counterpoint".

"India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It is the largest democracy after the United States. Indonesia is the third."

Well-dressed businesspeople surround us while we converse. There is no colonial d*cor at the Meridien. Muted shades, old-fashioned teacups, faded photos of Maharajas on the walls, even cucumber sandwiches have no place here.

The message is modern. India, the face of the future. Low-fat starred meals for the weight-conscious waif are featured on the menu alongside a selection of eclectic and global culinary creations.

Smart waiters dressed in black glide between the tables with the confidence of a "fast-bowler" cricketer. Elegant young Indians and other glam folk sip on chilled wine and cocktails and chat in that "loads of money" kind of way.

Deals are being clinched as we speak. Outside the lobby, impressive five-star cars zoom in and out, dropping off equally impressive guests.

"It is predicted that India will take over the world economy by 2050. Our target of trade between India and Indonesia for 2010 was reached before the end of 2009. We are very proud of this achievement."

The ambassador's role is not only to represent Indonesia in India but also to increase the level and intensity of bilateral relations and cooperation between Indonesia and India.

"What does this mean for Indonesia? " I asked curiously.

"As the world's fourth-largest population, Indonesia needs to cooperate with India."

"How is this going to happen?" I ask, in between marveling at the glorious dressing of the Caesar salad.

"India and Indonesia need to explore their capabilities by collaborating. India holds a very important position in the world economy and Indonesians need to see this and change their way of thinking about India. But India also has to change their view of Indonesia. Indonesia needs India, but India also needs Indonesia. You can't clap with one hand!" he chuckled, throwing his hands around in a loose, somewhat awkward, demonstration.

So what do you think of India, I asked.

"I am very impressed. I have visited and met with leaders of almost 20 states in India, more than half the country. I intend to meet with the rest of the states and union territories by the end of next year, if possible. I like to see the cultural movement of the people."

And what about the food, I asked, thinking dreamily about dosas, idlis, mint chutney and naan. Can you imagine a life without Indian food or the UK without Rogan Josh?

"I like the food. There is a lot of variety, especially between the cuisines of the north and south. But then my background is in the military so I can eat anything!" More laughing followed while I ponder over this statement.

What are your thoughts about Gandhi, I continued. I am a huge fan of Gandhi and his presence in India is felt everywhere.

Quotes such as "an eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind" and countless others are plastered on walls.

His image is seen on every rupee, buildings, just about everything. The photo of Gandhi spinning cloth or home-spinning is one of my all-time favorites.

Albert Einstein's memorable tribute to Gandhi sums up his grandeur: "Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth."

"Gandhi is very important for the people of India. I believe he is part of the success of India now. He is the symbol of the nation and they all respect him."

"So why do you think Indians are so successful?"

"No matter where you are in the world you will always find Indians *and Germans, I thought to myself*. They speak English, read English and are well-educated. If they go abroad, they never forget their country. Their national pride is high. Nowadays, Indians are taking up all the top positions in the world."

An hour or two later, we pulled out of the Meridien into the dusty, wide streets of this bustling town. We pass a few equally dusty small children begging cheekily at the traffic lights, streams of people walking or on bicycles, India's own car, the Ambassador, vying for a place amid Mercedes and other vehicles.

We stop at the lights and there is a tap at my window. "Would you like to buy a book, madam?" and the seller presents we with a pile of Booker Prize-winning novels and other best sellers. The authors, of course, are Indian.

"How about this one?" he hands me The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga. Ah, there is more to India than meets the eye.

Popular

Govt urged police to investigate alleged exploitation, assault of circus performers

Journalist groups urge stronger protections after mass layoffs

Malaysia seeks trade legal harmonization in ASEAN