As a host of exit polls projected a clear victory for the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance, US President Barack Obama was quick to declare that his country would work closely with the next Indian Government and make the coming years “equally transformative” for the two countries.
As the ninth and final phase of voting ended in the marathon general elections, Obama put out a statement lauding Indians for having “set an example for the world in holding the largest democratic election in history, a vibrant demonstration of our shared values of diversity and freedom”.
“The United States and India have developed a strong friendship and comprehensive partnership over the last two decades, which has made our citizens safer and more prosperous and which has enhanced our ability to work together to solve global challenges,” Obama said, adding: “We look forward to the formation of a new government once election results are announced and to working closely with India’s next administration to make the coming years equally transformative.”
Both the White House and the State Department, which put out a separate statement, did not make any reference to Modi per se, indicating that Washington would prefer to wait for the formal declaration of results after the counting of votes on Friday.
The State Department, faced with the ubiquitous questions on the issue of US visa for Modi, declined to offer any comment, with spokesperson Jen Psaki averring: “We don’t speak on visa acceptances, applications, etcetera.” Nor was she willing to say anything on the exit polls pointing to the formation of a Modi Government.
“We look forward to working with the leaders chosen by the Indian people to advance this important partnership and to set an ambitious agenda,” Psaki said in a statement that called the Indian elections “an inspiring example of the power of the democratic process in action”, adding: “The United States, like so many others around the world, has great admiration and respect for the vibrancy, diversity, and resilience of India’s democracy.”
The statement commended India for playing a critical role in advancing prosperity, democracy and stability across the Indo-Pacific region. “Whether we’re working together to educate the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs, or combatting global challenges like climate change and violent extremism, the US-India partnership is essential to securing a brighter future for both of our peoples,” it said.
Asked pointedly if Modi enjoys the support of the United States, Psaki said evasively at the department’s daily news briefing: “As you know, we don’t take positions in domestic politics in India or anywhere else. As this has been election season in a large, pluralistic, multiparty democracy, it’s not a surprise that it’s going to take some time to, obviously, process the voting and we look forward to working with the next leader.”
To a question whether a successful election in India and successful relations with that country would act as a counterweight to the Chinese, the spokesperson commented: “We view our relationship with India as one that’s vitally important for economic, strategic reasons, and one that we look forward to continuing to grow in the future.”
In the context of the US coldshouldering of Modi since the 2002 Gujarat riots that led to its denial of a visa to him for a 2005 visit to America, noted South Asia expert Ashley Tellis has said that in the event of Modi heading the next government in New Delhi, US Secretary of State John Kerry should visit India at an early date and invite him to the United States.
“I think the Obama administration will reach out to him if he is elected as prime minister as it would the leader of any other friendly state,” Tellis, a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told a wire service, adding: “Whatever one thinks of Modi, India matters to U.S. national interests -- and the administration should take its bearings from that fact when engaging Modi.”