Indian PM Modi on His way to US: A Preview of the Visit

 

Indian PM Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden
Image Credit: Google

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to the United States to meet with President Joe Biden and address the Congress.

The focus of the visit is to strengthen military and technological ties between the two countries as they seek to establish a regional counterbalance to China.

Modi expressed his intention to deepen India-USA relations in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, and technology.

This is his first state visit to the US since assuming power in 2014.

State Dinner at the White House:

Modi will attend a state dinner at the White House, which is only the third such event hosted by President Biden since his inauguration.

This is seen as an opportunity to expand and consolidate ties between India and the US.

Concerns over Human Rights:

However, Modi's visit comes at a time of rising concerns over the treatment of India's Muslim minority, human rights issues, and democratic backsliding under his leadership.

Human rights groups and political opponents have accused Modi of stifling dissent and implementing policies that discriminate against minorities.

Human Rights Watch has urged President Biden not to shy away from addressing India's worsening human rights situation.

Defining Relationship and Global Challenges:

Despite these concerns, President Biden sees the US-India relationship as a defining one.

Both countries aim to jointly address global challenges such as:

• Climate change,

• Artificial intelligence, and

• China's growing power in the Indo-Pacific region.

Modi's Visit Amid Human Rights Concerns:

Modi's visit takes place amid criticism from human rights groups and political opponents who accuse him of suppressing dissent and implementing discriminatory policies.

The Indian government defends its human rights record, but critics argue that it often refrains from condemning human rights violations elsewhere.

US-India Relations and Russia:

The US has refrained from publicly criticizing India for its limited condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its reliance on Russian oil.

Modi has emphasized India's commitment to peace and called for changes to global institutions to better represent less-affluent countries.

When asked by the Wall Street Journal in an interview published on Monday about critical comments in the US for not taking a more forceful stance against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Modi said:

“I don’t think this type of perception is widespread in the US. I think India’s position is well known and well understood in the entire world. The world has full confidence that India’s top-most priority is peace.”

Trade and Defense Cooperation:

Trade between the US and India reached a record high of $191 billion in 2022.

Biden has sought to reinvigorate the Quad while the US defence sales to India have risen from near zero in 2008 to more than $20bn in 2020.

The Indian diaspora in the US, with nearly five million people, has become an influential economic, cultural, and political force.

Defense sales between the two countries have also seen significant growth.

Call for Multipolar World Order:

The Indian Prime Minister, in the interview called for changes to global institutions like the United Nations to adapt them for an increasingly “multipolar world order”.

He also urged to make them more representative of the world’s less-affluent countries.

India would like to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council, he said.

“The world should be asked if it wants India to be there.”

Modi's Itinerary and International Yoga Day:

Modi's visit begins with a session for International Yoga Day at the UN Secretariat in New York.

He played a pivotal role in establishing 21 June as Yoga Day, and yoga has become one of India's successful cultural exports after Bollywood.

The official state visit includes meetings with President Biden, an address to Congress, and a grand White House dinner.

Engagements and Business Meetings:

During his trip, Modi will meet with business leaders, including Tesla's Elon Musk.

He will also participate in a State Department luncheon hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

After addressing the Indian diaspora, the Indian leader will depart for Egypt from the US for a two-day visit starting Saturday.

(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)