New era in India-US relations merits a strategic reset

Technology has emerged as the key driver in charting the future course of the bilateral partnership.

- MAJ GEN G.G. DWIVEDI (RETD)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States from 21-23 June 2023 was pathbreaking from multiple perspectives. He became only the third Indian leader after former President Radhakrishnan and PM Manmohan Singh to be accorded the honour of a state visit, which is the highest expression of friendly bilateral relations between two sovereign states. That President Joe Biden had hosted just two leaders as state guests before PM Modi, indicates the extent of transformation in India-US relations over the last two and a half decades.

The visit came at a time when the US is in confrontation with Russia in the wake of the Ukraine war and when Beijing’s disruptive designs have led to heightened tensions both for Washington and Delhi. John Kirby, Coordinator for “Strategic Communication, National Security Council” at the White House clarified that while China was on the agenda during the course of discussions but the visit per se was not about China. As per another White House official, the visit was also not about leveraging India to be a counterweight to China, but to deepen ties between the two largest democracies of the world.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

PM’s visit started in New York with the commemoration of the Ninth International Yoga Day on 21 June at the UN headquarters, showcasing India’s soft power, yoga being our most popular cultural export. The following day in Washington DC, PM Modi was accorded a grand welcome by President Biden at the White House. Later, the two leaders held a historic summit affirming a vision of “Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership”, followed by Modi’s address to the joint session of the US Congress for a second time, a rare honour.