Meeting with Obama set for Sept 29-30
The Obama administration will roll out the red carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visits Washington this month-end for two days of intensive bilateral deliberations.
“President Obama looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to the White House on September 29-30,” the White House announced on Monday, noting the two leaders will “discuss a range of issues of mutual interest in order to expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership”.
“They will discuss ways to accelerate economic growth, bolster security cooperation, and collaborate in activities that bring long-term benefits to both countries and the world,” it said.
Significantly, the White House statement noted that the discussions “will also focus on regional issues, including current developments in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, where India and the United States can work together with partners towards a positive outcome”.
This reference assumes pointed significance at a time when President Obama is under mounting pressure to develop the right strategy to deal with the escalating challenge from the Islamic State militant outfit that has effectively replaced Al Qaeda is the foremost terror threat for the United States.
Even as he prepares to announce on Wednesday the US strategy against the US, Obama, having put together a 10-nation coalition for starters, is trying to build a larger international bloc to deal with ISIS and is expected to make a pitch for Indian support during his powwow with Modi.
“The President looks forward to working with the Prime Minister to fulfill the promise of the US-India strategic partnership for the benefit of both our citizens and the world,” said the statement.
Modi arrives in Washington after three days of engagements in New York that include an address to the UN General Assembly and a grand Indian-American community reception for him at the Madison Square Garden. His UNGA address is set for September 27, followed by the community reception the next day.
Although details of his engagements in Washington and New York have not been officially given out yet, Obama is expected to host a private dinner for Modi after his arrival on September 29. A formal luncheon will be hosted by Vice- President Joe Biden at the State Department.
Modi, as Chief Minister of Gujarat, was to have last visited the United States in 2005 to be the chief guest at an Asian-American business convention, but the Bush administration stoked a diplomatic controversy by refusing him a visa over his handling of the Gujarat riots of 2002.
The Obama administration began wooing Modi earlier this year when it became increasingly clear from a slew of polls that he might well be the country’s next Prime Minister.
While the US Congress is unlikely to be in session when Modi visits Washington, several top lawmakers are slated to meet him. And several others are expected to attend the community reception in New York.
Modi, who sets great store by the expansion of business relations between the two countries, is set to hold meetings with American corporate honchos both in New York and Washington. In New York, the Prime Minister will also be addressing the Council on Foreign Relations, the prominent American think tank.