USA! USA!

It may go against the principle of visiting a country like India, but one of the unexpected pleasures of my trip has been distinctly American.

While curry is well clear as my most consumed food of the last six weeks, another food I have devoured in record numbers is Lay's potato chips.

These heavenly morsels entered into my life when I visited the United States in 2002 and, 10 years later, they have made a welcome return in an unlikely locale.

They may be yet to reach New Zealand, but Lay's are easy to find in Bangalore. With Coca-Cola and Oreo cookies also readily available, I have been able to rely on these most American of staples to fulfil any junk food cravings.

In the fast food category, McDonald's and KFC are, unsurprising, here in force, while I also spotted a Taco Bell on my travels the other day.

And the stars and stripes aren't stopping there. Last week I read about the imminent arrival to India of Walmart, a superstore that has been the bane of small businesses wherever it opens, and that was followed a few days later by a story about plans to open 50 Starbucks cafes in the coming year.

This continuing Americanisation of India has been aided by government regulations permitting foreign retailers to expand their presence in the country. It may be welcomed by expats and tubby tourists like myself, but it was also a factor in the recent nationwide protests.

There is a pervading American influence in the media, too. India may be a member of the Commonwealth, but it is another country once ruled by the British which seems to wield more influence.

Stories about the States are more frequent than those featuring the United Kingdom, with the forthcoming US election earning its fair share of column inches.

Today's paper contained a poll showing an overwhelming majority of Indian-Americans support the re-election of Barack Obama, despite two Indian-American governors harsh in their criticism of the President.

But that story was overshadowed by the primary US-based news of the day - news with far greater implications to Indians than a foreign election.

US software giant Microsoft is proposing a greater cost for visas which allow American companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in special occupations - including the information technology field.

And therein lies the predominant reason for American influence in the country and, especially, in Bangalore. With the two countries among the leaders in the IT industry, they have forged a close relationship as bright minds from both nations live and work in the other.

I, for one, am just glad that close relationship extends to snack foods.