IIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi on Monday after a triumphant first ‘official state visit’ to the United States. This was perhaps the most significant bilateral engagement between the two countries in the last few years, was evident from the detailed 58-paragraph joint statement issued at the end of PM Modi’s three-day visit.
“No corner of human enterprise is untouched by the partnership between our two great nations, which extends from the seas to the stars.” Reading,
Even as policy questions are being raised on the joint statement and diplomatic experts are appreciating PM Modi’s friendship with US President Joe Biden and his second address to the joint session of the US Congress, the resounding success of the summit has put New Delhi in agreement with Washington. Underlines two key aspects of the relationship between ,
First, bilateral relations between the two countries are no longer dependent on a common rival (read China). Second, and more importantly, the unstoppable momentum in this ‘Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership’ is being driven by people-to-people ties.
read this also, Indo-US relations have gained momentum. Now on PM Modi
see the big picture
To say that these ties are merely cultural would be painting half the picture as the contribution of the Indian diaspora to the US economy is there for all to see, especially in the tech sector where they are a major force.
according to a reports Indians “participate in the labor force at a higher rate than all immigrants and the US-born combined,” published by the Washington-based Migration Policy Institute.
It is also important to note here that apart from a continuing mix of culture and interests, the partnership between India and the US is based on a shared belief in democracy, rule of law, meritocracy, individual rights, universalism and entrepreneurship.
Both Americans and Indians have a strong “frontier” mindset that involves taking massive risks when exploring new frontiers in search of personal growth, economic production or adventure.
These shared beliefs and common interests are among the factors that have made the US India’s largest trading partner. Data from Indian Ministry of Commerce shows Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $128.55 billion in 2022-23.
And PM Modi’s ‘official state visit’ could ensure that this important partnership gathers more momentum.
Apart from the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), the two countries have agreed to enhance cooperation in key areas including space, defence, clean energy and digital public infrastructure (DPI).
In his opening remarks during the one-on-one meeting with President Biden in the Oval Office, PM Modi declared: “India and America have walked shoulder to shoulder since time immemorial, from the depths of the ocean to the heights of the sky.” From culture to artificial intelligence.” In return, President Biden gifted PM Modi a T-shirt that read “The future is AI – America and India”.
The two countries also reached an agreement to end six disputes at the World Trade Organization (WTO), following which New Delhi decided to remove retaliatory tariffs on 28 US products.
Read also: Modi’s US visit is everything China hates. It also called Biden’s optimism ‘wishful thinking’
Python in the room
However, one cannot deny that China is still a factor of thought in the sphere of India-US relations.
Addressing a joint press conference with PM Modi, President Biden emphasized that democracy is the “DNA” of both the countries. Although he did not name China, the contradiction he was pointing to was clear.
While addressing the joint session of the US Congress, PM Modi also made an indirect reference to China. “The dark cloud of coercion and confrontation is casting its shadow over the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. SaidStating that progress in the region should not be “suffocated by an impossible burden of debt” and connectivity in the region should not be “taken advantage of for strategic purposes”.
On whether the White House sees India as a “counterweight” to China, John Kirby, coordinator of strategic communications for the US National Security Council (NSC), said PM Modi’s visit was an “opportunity to deliver a message” to China. Wasn’t. He said “mutual challenges with the PRC in the Indo-Pacific” were part of the discussions between the two countries.
On its part, Chinese state media quoted analysts as saying that Washington’s “intention to engage India to counter China and Russia” was merely “wishful thinking”.
But the writing is on the wall – while Beijing is and will remain a factor, India-US relations have been overtaken by the need to balance a common rival in the form of China.
Both countries and their people are beginning to understand how their shared beliefs and economic interests can power an engine that can change the world for the better. It is this momentum that has ushered in a new era of India-US relations over the past three decades, and it is this momentum that can set the course for good in times to come.
Asha Jadeja is a Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur, venture capitalist, philanthropist and a ‘change agent’. She tweets @ashajadeja325. Thoughts are personal.