PM Modi’s US Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to arrive in the United States on Saturday for a three-day visit, a high-octane diplomatic engagement that will have wide-ranging implications for India-U.S. relations. The visit will see PM Modi participate in the much-awaited Quad summit and meet President Biden in a bilateral. US President Joe Biden will address the Indian diaspora at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, will deliver a speech during the Summit of the Future, and is likely to discuss issues like China’s increasing aggression on global issues that will dominate discussions over the Quad summit.
A Strategic Alliance to Ensure a Free Indo-Pacific
As NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, stated, “China is going to be very much top of mind” for this summit. The Quad-United States, India, Japan, and Australia-is considered a strategic group aimed at promoting free and open Indo-Pacifism, where China’s increasing militarization and economic coercion have raised alarms.
The Emerging Impetus to Engage in closer U.S.-India Cooperation
An India-born US Congressman and Representative for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, Shri Thanedar stresses the need not to let China rise without having the United States and India in tow. China is getting very aggressive, and India and the U.S. need to form a very strong bond, be it in technology, defense, science, or commerce,” Thanedar said. Thanedar believes there is only one proper way to totally check China‘s aggressive policies against the United States that involves increased cooperation between India and the U.S., especially in sectors like technology and defense. Thanedar also underlined that economic cooperation was the need of the hour between the two nations while pushing for intellectual property protection, human rights, and the fight against China’s unfair economic policies such as tariffs and IP theft.
Thanedar praised the leadership of PM Modi and continuous good relations continued with successive U.S. presidents, referring to his earlier strong rapport with the previous President Donald Trump while having a marvellous working chemistry with President Biden. He added, “PM Modi is an extremely charismatic leader, and America values him for the leadership he has provided to India.”
The Congressman said China does not place any value on intellectual property, workers’ rights, or human rights. “They have an unfair advantage concerning the economy, tariffs, and every agreement with other countries,” he said. He emphasized a strong U.S.-India alliance could counterbalance China’s aggressive posturing, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, pharmaceutical technology, and defence. According to Thanedar, President Biden is most likely going to seek higher cooperation with India during his bilateral meeting with Modi.
Quad Summit- A Chance for Deeper Economic Cooperation
The quad summit is deemed the prime time to forge a much deeper relationship between the four member countries, especially in economic cooperation. Shri Thanedar, India currently needs to support the others’ economies in these countries—India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia. And the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a world economic disruption. “During COVID, the economy suffered worldwide, but the U.S. recovered quickly due to President Biden’s leadership. India, the U.S., and all Quad countries must continue working together to build stronger economic ties,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of the Quad summit in a context which would allow the participation of these nations to go deeper into strategic cooperation, with an eye to the economic and security challenges that the nations in the Indo-Pacific share. As Beijing’s assertiveness grows in disputed waters, the Quad is increasingly seen as the pivotal body which can confront the intentions of Beijing.
The Indian Diaspora- Awaiting with Palpitable Excitement to welcome the Hon’ble PM Modi
Part of the follow-up activity for PM Modi’s U.S. visit, in addition to the Quad summit and bilateral meetings, is a prominent address to the Indian diaspora. More than 24,000 Indian-Americans are signing up to attend this community event at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, with a seating capacity of 15,000. The event, named ‘Modi & US: Progress Together,’ was to celebrate the diversity and success of the Indian-American community with cultural performances and appearances by prominent Indian-American figures.
The diaspora is all euphoric about PM Modi’s visit, according to Thanedar, who added Indian-Americans admire the Prime Minister’s efforts in bringing India to the forefront on the economic world map. “India has become a super economic power because of the vision of PM Narendra Modi and the Indian-American diaspora living across the United States are super excited to welcome him,” he said.
The Broader Political Context
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United States also coincides with a politically sensitive time, when the U.S. is taking the final steps ahead of its next Presidential elections scheduled to take place in November. Those elections are going to pit incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris against former President Donald Trump; the visit may assume a different color and style based on this politico-cum-electoral situation.
Shri Thanedar understood that the significant issues, economy, inflation, border control, and immigration would headline the U.S. presidential election. “Economy, prices, and inflation are going to be big issues in the election, alongside abortion rights, workers’ rights and immigration. All eyes are on Kamala Harris and Donald Trump; but right now, the election seems to lean towards Kamala Harris,” said Thanedar.
This visit promises to take the India-U.S. relationship to the next level as PM Modi prepares to meet the U.S. leadership and address both strategic and economic concerns. As both countries share a focus on countering China’s assertiveness and step up their economic ties, the Quad summit, along with Modi’s bilateral talks with President Biden, are likely to have lasting impacts both on the geopolitical strategies of both nations in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.