Modi’s visit is a path-breaking event that will take India-US ties to a new high and checkmate China’s policy of aggression on LoC
Indian prime minister Narender Modi’s recent visit to the United States assumes a lot of importance for the rest of the world when US President, Joe Biden says that two great friends, two great powers and two great friends can outline the course and path of the 21st century. One of the biggest takeaways even recognized by the entire world pertains to future strategy which will counter the growing influence of China and its expansionism laced with debt trap policy to create a security threat to India and the US.
Experts opine that PM’s visit will carve out the future course of action and strengthen his vision of ‘ATAMNIRBHAR BHART’ through defence deals and emerging technologies. It will be an impetus to trade and defence cooperation as both nations have agreed that General Electronics will produce jet engines in India in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics which will be used for Tejas. Indian Shipyard can be used for repairs by US Navy ships besides agreeing to purchase MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones. Both sides will witness enhanced activities and greater cooperation in the areas of semiconductors, critical minerals, technology, space, and defence. US chip maker, Micron, is poised to establish a USD 2.7 billion semiconductor testing and packaging unit in Gujarat which will ensure the participation of the government of India and Gujarat government thereby investing 50 % and 20% respectively.
Experts say that America has enjoyed an unchallenged prominent position in the world arena, especially after the downfall of Russia in the nineties leading to the end of the Cold War and focused on its self-centred interests only which had dictated its illogical stand on Pakistan’s open support to terrorists in Kashmir. In this changed geo-political scenario, India is gradually occupying centre stage which can be attributed to its growing economic potential and meaningful space being attained by it in advanced technology thereby fast emerging as a challenger to China in future.
It was national security advisor, Ajit Doval’s visit to the united states six months ago when he expressed his opinion about India-US ties to counterpart, Sullivan that “time is running fast hence we do not have much time at our disposal which warrants concrete road map to face challenges including China’s threat on security.” Sullivan concluded his discussion with Doval in Delhi before Modi visited the US. Both NSAs unveiled ambitious long-term plans for Indo-US collaboration in seven specific high-technology areas, next-generation telecommunication strategy, semiconductors, defence and artificial intelligence. They announced the second Track-1.5 dialogue on the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) which had been organized by industry chamber CII. But both top officials confined themselves to covering bilateral and regional issues only and nothing beyond it. Earlier, the spadework was done by US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin who held several meetings with defence minister Rajnath Singh and senior Indian officials in New Delhi. Similarly, Foreign Secretary, Vinay Kwatra met Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland in the US to prepare the ground for Modi’s visit and the above engagements highlighted the shared objectives of the two nations in terms of close cooperation and regional security.
A huge welcome was accorded by the Indian diaspora at the prestigious Kennedy Center organized by Aghi and USISPF who have got a lot of relevance in American politics and India’s growth. According to FM Sitharaman, union finance minister, overseas Indians ' remittances to India increased by 12 % to 100 USD in 2022 as compared to 2021 which is of utmost importance to India’s economy. Some human rights activists did raise their concerns about the human rights violation in India and ex-president, Barack Obama was also critical when he said “if you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, then there is a strong possibility India at some point starts pulling apart and we’ve seen what happens when you start getting those kinds of large internal conflicts.”
Biden’s red carpet to Modi is the evidence of all our efforts in America to take present Indo-US ties to the next level. Biden has even attacked China and praised India’s democracy despite some concerns. China has not relished America's open-arm policy towards India hence it has accused the US of trying to block Dragon's progress. Modi’s visit was billed as a path-breaking event that will take India-US ties to a new height and checkmate policy of aggression of China on LOC besides helping the US to retain its status of Super Power which seems to be dangerous given over ambition of Dragon to displace it in future.
(The writer is a senior journalist)