Will there be change in the business atmosphere as far as outsourcing is concerning if the democrats or Republicans win?
The election time is always a little bit of a slow time. The next six months are important. We have to see what kind of messages come out between the Democrats and the Republicans.
The impact of outsourcing is actually quite positive on the American economy. Granted it is very difficult to convince the person who has lost the job.
All the things that the Indian companies have done have helped make companies be more competitive, have helped grow wealth and value.
Between the two, whom do you prefer? Which will be better for your industry?
Better for my industry will definitely be the Republicans and in general I tend to vote Republicans because they believe in smaller Governments and lower taxes and leaving business alone.
Democrats tend to be ‘tax more’ and spend more.
You need this new breed in American politics, which has not yet emerged fully, which is social liberal but a fiscal conservative. The Republicans tend to be fiscal conservative and also social conservative. The Democrats tend to be fiscal liberal and also social liberal.
Do you think if Obama wins, there will be an adverse impact on the industry?
I don’t think there will be an adverse impact immediately. It won’t come directly, it will come through privacy act, security act etc. It is too large an industry and too mainstream for people to take it head on.
Is business big enough to go beyond politics?
It is not ‘despite,’ ‘in spite of’ or ‘because of’ the government. Businesses buy from other businesses when they see value. That is what has been happening. That is what is going to continue to fuel the growth of the industry. As long as you offer value, outsourcing will go on.
Image: Phaneesh Murthy with his wife Jaya. | Photograph, courtesy: Primentor
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