Modi’s US visit – an opportunity for forging strong multidimensional ties

By Rabindra Mukherji

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in the United States for an official state visit on June 22. Modi’s scheduled visit to the US starts from June 21-24 after receiving an invitation from President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. This visit is being looked upon as a significant one in the light of the fact that India and America's ties have strengthened considerably and this is happening in the midst of a growing concern about China's aggression. Besides, there is an ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine which has already had a serious global impact, especially considering the economic fallout. Significantly, since the coming to power of the Modi government in India, the Indo-US relations have reached a new dimension. Modi’s astute leadership and his ability to forge strong relations with international leaders has seen Indo-US relations thrive under three US Presidents -Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, all being of different characteristics. But Modi’s growing stature internationally and his ability to work with leaders with diverse ideologies and approaches to international issues have seen Indo-US relations getting stronger than it ever was in the past. Among many of the important jobs Modi is expected to accomplish during his upcoming US visit, he is going to make history by becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the US Congress twice. Internationally speaking, as a Head of Government, Modi will be second only to Benjamin Netanyahu, PM of Israel, who has addressed the US Congress thrice. Just like in Australia, Modi gets bipartisan respect and support in the US, a rarity in modern international political scenarios. But the significance of Modi’s US visit is not just about addressing the US Congress twice as the Head of the government. There are several other parameters to judge the importance of the visit. As to how much the present government in the US accords importance to India and Modi as the leader of the world’s largest democracy with a strong Indian Diaspora can be gauzed from the fact that during the G7 summit held recently in Japan, US President Biden walked up to PM Modi and the two leaders hugged each other warmly. The gesture is a sign of the growing strength of Indo-US relations, with the world’s oldest democracy coming together with the world’s largest democracy. In Quad also, both the countries share understanding of mutual positions on a host of international issues. In fact, the success of Quad and India’s active role in international matters led the US to invite India to join the NATO alliance. Of course, it is a different matter that India has had to balance its relations with both the US and Russia, and India’s domestic interests lie in not joining the alliance as of now. The equations may change as they do in international politics, more so in recent times in a highly volatile international environment.

Then there is the looming China threat. This has necessitated the US to shift its stance, moving more towards Indo-Pacific from its previous stance focusing on Asia-Pacific. This reveals the shift in US policy that is according greater importance to India vis-à-vis China. From an Indian perspective, a strong alliance with the US is the need of the hour given the fact that China’s aggressive border stance is a threat to India’s unity, integrity and sovereign authority within its territory. It is, therefore, important to rein in China by pressuring it, and for that the alliance with the US is of great significance. The US also perceives India as an ally that can assist in reducing the immense threat posed by China.

Then there are rich dividends to be shared between both the democracies, and the meeting of their leaders is a hope for the whole world that democracy will ultimately triumph over any other system of government. The more the world embraces democracy, emulating the strong democracies like the US and India, the better it is for the future of this planet.

Modi’s visit to the US will in all likelihood usher in an era of strong Indo-US trade relations. Currently, there is a lot of scope for the Indo-US trade relations to grow and become stronger benefiting both the countries. It now stands at USD 190 billion, while leaders of both nations are keen to take it to USD 500 billion annually. Besides defense, there are trade possibilities in the fields of e-commerce, supply chain manufacturing, digital economy, FinTech, energy and aerospace. There is a big defense deal on the cards during the Indian Prime Minister’s US visit. The deal comprises the domestic manufacturing of American jet engines used in the Indian fighter aircraft. It is likely to be signed between General Electric (GE) of the US and Hindustan Aeronautics of India. Moreover, there is a possibility of a deal worth Rs 22,000 crores between India and the US to buy 30 MQ-9 B armed drones.

Besides the Indo-US relations catapulting to new heights with Modi’s visit, leaders in the US are looking forward to taking this relation to new heights making it more meaningful than it was in the past.

Then, Prime Minister Modi is also likely to address the Indian Diaspora in the US who will gather in Washington on June 23. Modi has always made it a point to address the Indian Diaspora wherever he goes. He did it in Australia during his recent visit. Prime Minister Modi is likely to address the Indian Diaspora and emphasize their role in giving India the strength to grow economically and have the confidence to take its independent position in foreign policy matters.

Since elections are going to take place next year in both the countries, Prime Minister Modi and President Biden would like to project to their voters a strong and prudent foreign policy initiative. In that context, Modi’s visit to the US assumes significance. This visit is also significant from an international perspective, as both China and Pakistan will be watching it closely. The international power structure is fast changing with India taking on an important role and asserting itself like never before. With Indo-US relations becoming stronger, there will be a better balance of power in the world.