OPINION: Indo-US Bonhomie Towards Evolution

Relations between India and the US have progressed from strength to strength in the post-Cold War landscape. PM Modi's upcoming US sojourn is sure to lead to its further growth. President Biden's main objective is likely to be to use India for countering China's growing influence over the global marketplace.

Speculation is rife as to how Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming three-day State visit (June 21-23) to the United States would go about to impact the ties between New Delhi and Washington.

Observers say the ties between India and the United States have progressed from strength to strength in the post-Cold War landscape. The current bonhomie between the two nations is highly remarkable. Prime Minister Modi's upcoming US sojourn is sure to lead to its further growth.

In the contemporary world, the United States is considered as the leader of freedom and democracy. India is the most populous democracy with ancient roots. Relations between India and the United States are grounded in the values of democracy, pluralism tolerance, openness and respect for human rights their peoples share with each other.

Relations between the two countries can be traced as far back as 1790 when George Washington sent his consul Benjamin Joy to India. Quite early in the 20th century, anti-British sentiments found expressions in the United States. In 1910 there was formed an organisation called Hindi Association in California. Later on, it converted into Ghadar Party with its headquarters in San Francisco.

During the Second World War, there was witnessed a surge of opinion in favour of India's struggle for freedom in the United States. In a confidential letter to then British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, then American President F.D. Roosevelt exhibited much sympathy for India's nationalist cause.

In the post-Cold War landscape, relations between the two nations have consistently strengthened in almost all sectors of international relations. The United States has backed inclusion of India in the international fora, including the UN Security Council, the World Bank, the IMF and APEC, MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement, Australia Group and the Nuclear Suppliers Group. In 2016, India and the United States signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement. The United States declared India its Major Defence Partner.

The United States today is India's largest trading partner. Last year, the trade between the two nations stood at around $191 billion. It has nearly doubled since Prime Minister Modi took over the reins of government in New Delhi in 2014. US energy exports to India have risen significantly from almost zero. American companies have invested over $54 billion in India.

US defence sales and supplies to India have grown. Defence co-production has increased between the two nations over the years. Many large US defence companies are now sourcing products or services from Indian suppliers.

Today there are various strategic dialogues involving the United States and India. They include the Quad (along with Japan and Australia), I2U2 (along with Israel and the United Arab Emirates), the 2+2 Dialogue involving the Indian and American defence and foreign ministers, the Defence Policy Group (DPG) and a National Security Advisor (NSA)-led initiative on critical and emerging technologies (ICET).

There are military-to-military engagements -- including staff talks, exchanges, and exercises -- between India and the United States. They have increased the ability of the two militaries to operate together. Also, the two nations have agreements to facilitate logistics and communication with each other.

Prime Minister Modi's upcoming sojourn in the United States is likely to boost the ties between the two nations in all these areas. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to address the Joint Session of the US Congress on June 22. Almost the entire enlightened policy community is looking forward his address with a lot of interest.

The observers say there is little personal chemistry between President Biden and Prime Minister Modi. The forces aligned with President Biden and his Democratic Party in the United States have been highly critical of Prime Minister Modi. They have been alleging around that since coming to power in India in 2014, Prime Minister Modi has been steadily pushing the country towards autocracy. He is seeking to establish in India one-party rule under his thumb by sidelining his political rivals and bending the judicial system to his will.

President Biden and his supporters in the United States generally seem to view Prime Minister Modi as a representative of right-wing populism, a kind of kindred soul to former US President Donald Trump. They have not forgotten that during a 2019 political tour through the United States, Prime Minister Modi spoke glowingly of Trump in front a 50,000 Americans at a Houston stadium. Modi said, "I admire him (Trump) for something more: his sense of leadership, a passion for America, a concern for every American, a belief in American future and a strong resolve to make America great again."

However, President Biden is highly unlikely to let his personal chemistry with Prime Minister Modi adversely affect his diplomacy towards India. In his interaction with Prime Minister Modi, President Biden is likely to be focused on India's importance as a critical economic ally of the United States today. He will be meeting Prime Minister Modi on June 22. It will be his third State dinner to a foreign leader. Earlier, he has hosted the leaders of France and South Korea.

President Biden's main objective is likely to be to use India for countering China's growing influence over the global marketplace. His government is trying to encourage chip manufacturers and others to move their facilities to places like India, rather than continue to be reliant on China.

(Jagdish N. Singh is a senior journalist based in New Delhi. He is also Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Gatestone Institute, New York)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of OneIndia and OneIndia does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.