After blaming the consumption patterns of the Indian middle classes for the rise in the global food prices, the US now attributed the surge in oil prices to the growing economies of China and India. White House deputy spokesman Scott Stanzel stated as such responding to a question on the crude oil prices crossing the $120 mark1. The remarks were not expected to go down well especially after the furor that was caused across party lines by President Bush’s remark on food prices.

• 1. “Now, US links high oil prices to demand in India, China,” Times of India, May 6, 2008, at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Now_US_links_high_oil_prices_to_deman...