Modi in US: Strategic Partnerships and Regional Security
- In Foreign Policy
- 08:07 AM, Sep 24, 2021
- Anjali Kanojia
Vice President (VP)Kamala Harris and Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi delivered addresses earlier at the White House. PM Modi is visiting the U.S after a long break of international travel as India has delivered a record-breaking, phenomenal inoculation record for her citizens.
Both the leaders focused on the importance of partnerships and an open Indo-Pacific region during a time of security upheaval in Afghanistan and Myanmar. The open and especially closed-door meetings are predicted to focus on strengthening Indo-U.S. ties given the backdrop of Chinese influence in India's neighbouring countries.
Modi is a seasoned politician who maintained good ties with former President Trump and his administration has maintained continuity of relationship building with the current Biden-Harris administration. Modi seemed genuine in his praise of VP Harris as he referred to her like being "family" and also said that she was an "inspiration" and a "real friend." The latter words seem to be especially relevant as the United States first took an uncertain position on helping India with raw materials for drug manufacturing during the heightened Covid-19 crisis in 2020.
VP Harris, an expert politician also praised India stating that "the United States was very proud to support India in its need and responsibility to vaccinate its people," and mentioned that she "welcome[d] India's announcement that it will soon be able to resume vaccine exports."
PM Modi and President Biden will meet and address issues pertaining to the Quad summit with Australian and Japanese leader(s) with the aim of boosting cooperation and ties in the Indo-Pacific region. Other Issues to be discussed on the agenda span from security, the pandemic, cooperation in space research and development, digital technology and supply-chain demands. Aukus - the defense pact between US, UK and Australia will probably also be on the agenda and we can probably surmise that discussions related to China's ambitions in Asia.
Upon President Biden's invitation, Modi relayed that during the visit he "will review India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with President Biden and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest." Reading between the lines, we can be certain that the proxy war(s) in Afghanistan and the resulting Taliban 'government' will also dominate discussions between the strategic partners as the "sanction Pakistan" and "dismantle Pakistan" sentiments continue to echo from the subcontinent, especially within the grassroot resistance movement in Afghanistan.
Perhaps the most memorable part of this visit will be the hundreds of photos of the super enthusiastic Indian diaspora which gathered at the airport in Washington to welcome Modi.
Apart from scheduled meetings and a tight three-day tour, Modi is planning to address the UN General Assembly during his visit.
Image source: Loksatta
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