“India's development is unique”
	Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talks with TIME

	MANISH SWARUP/AP TOUGH JOB Singh admits it's lonely at the top

Posted Monday, September 20, 2004; 20:00 HKT
Mild-mannered technocrats don't often get to run a country as large as India, and Manmohan Singh has another striking challenge: within the ruling Congress Party, he reports to President Sonia Gandhi. To find out how Singh is faring, TIME's William Green, Alex Perry and Aravind Adiga went to his official residence to conduct his first foreign press interview since taking office.

TIME: Are you really the Prime Minister?
Singh: Of course I am the Prime Minister.

TIME: Is there an overlap with Sonia Gandhi?
Singh: I carry out all the responsibilities that a Prime Minister should. I meet with her, interact with her quite often. I have been in Congress for nearly 30 years and worked very closely with Mrs. Gandhi for the last six. But that is not to say there is interference. This is a misconception.

TIME: You're not a politician and politics can be a nasty game. Are you nasty enough for the job?
Singh: I hope I'm firm enough without being nasty. I know where to draw the line.

TIME: What do you consider your biggest challenge?
Singh: The biggest problem in India is to get rid of chronic poverty and infectious disease, which still afflict millions and millions. This should be done by development and democracy, ensuring we move forward on the road to development and empower people to lead a life of dignity and self-respect. In that way, India's development is unique. There aren't many countries in the world which have undergone a social and economic revolution in the framework of a democracy. It's the biggest experiment in world history.

TIME: How did growing up in a remote village influence you?
Singh: That was a very poor village. We had only a small primary school. It leaked, so when it rained we had a holiday. There was no drinking water. I saw a lot of poverty there. I know a lot of families who lost their dear ones to infectious diseases. That's what was India was then. When I was young, my parents gave me a book. And it describes how India is potentially a rich country inhabited by very poor people. And I think the desire [was born then] to do something for development, to understand why some countries are poor and some rich, and that was the major motivation which led me to study economics.

TIME: How do you keep up with China?
Singh: I admire a lot of what is going on in China, but India cannot become China. Within our own institutions, we are trying to provide as hospitable environment for investment—domestic and foreign—as we can. Comparisons are odious. I do not see India as most corrupt or our bureaucracy as most ineffective. Infrastructure is a big problem. [It's] not on par with our competitors'. As far as inefficiency and corruption is concerned, there is no short answer to that. But we cannot afford it. Currently the Indian economy is growing at around 6%. But 7.5-8% is the goal for the next five years.

TIME: What do you make of the controversy in the U.S. over outsourcing?
Singh: It has taken us quite some time to realize there is no other option but to align ourselves with the modern global economy. Outsourcing is one consequence of that. You cannot have selective globalization. I sincerely hope the U.S. and other countries realize there is such a thing as comparative advantage.

TIME: What's your agenda for meeting Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf?
Singh: Getting to know each other is important. But we are willing to discuss all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, and find solutions rooted in ground realities. I cannot predict the outcome, but we are very sincere in our desire.

TIME: Are you surprised to be Prime Minister? Are you enjoying it?
Singh: I was not an aspirant. I became Finance Minister by accident and I think I did a good job of it. I have become Prime Minister in similar circumstances. It's a great honor and I'm confident I will do as well. [But] the summit is always lonely.

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