A group of hungry college students crowded around the newest food stall in an upscale market here: the American Hotdog Factory. Its sign proudly announced, "real American hotdogs for the first time in India."

Glitz, glamour and the biggest stars from India's movie industry will converge on Canada's largest city this summer in what is being pegged as Bollywood's most highly anticipated event of the year. "Toronto will be Bollywod central," proclaimed film star Anil Kapoor at the official launch Wednesday for the 12th International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA).

President Obama may have brought business deals and jobs from India, but what is in evidence everywhere is the Indian smart power. It is palpable not only in the traditional 'Little Indias' in different cities, but in mainstream newspapers, Ivy League universities, and the boardrooms of American companies.

During their half an hour meeting here, Sultan Ahmed referring to the low tourist traffic between the two countries stressed the need for a regular interaction between the two sides to increase the tourist traffic.

From the itinerary and speeches made during the visit, it would seem that Indo-US relations are underpinned by interface over three elements: democracy, economics and security. Obama’s Parliament speech flagged prosperity, security and democracy as three dimensions of an emerging partnership between the two countries, but it would seem that really two of these still lie in the realm of aspiration.

The Gulf Today quotes CPD Director, Philip Seib, about India's struggle with creating a comprehensive public diplomacy strategy.

Toronto is the venue for India's next mini-Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in June to connect with its 27 million-strong diaspora in over 150 countries. It would focus on the aspirations of the new generation of Indian youth worldwide and the universal cultural draw of Bollywood, said Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi.

However, the 21st century is characterised by globalisation, assertive public opinion, an ever present 24x7 media and Web 2.0 technology. This combination lends increased significance to public diplomacy. Recognising the magnitude of the changing scene, India has begun well...