From Jet Engine Deal To Visa Wait Time Issue: What To Expect From PM Modi's Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday left for his three-day official trip to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

This is his sixth visit to the US since he assumed power in 2014 and this is his first official visit to the country.

In his departure statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the special invitation is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between the two democracies. "I will commence my visit in New York, where I will celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21 at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community. I look forward to this special celebration at the very location that supported India's proposal in December 2014 to recognize an International Day of Yoga," he said.

This is an important point in the bilateral relationship and is a key symbol of the two nations growing closer together, according to experts.

What To Expect From This PM Modi's Much-Anticipated Visit?

• Stepping up defence cooperation, India and the US are poised to unveil a roadmap for industries in the sector to partner closely in co-production, co-development, and maintaining supply change during PM Modi's visit.
• The Defence Ministry had last week approved the procurement of 30 MQ-9B Predator armed drones from the US under a government-to-government framework. The procurement of the weaponised 'hunter-killer' drones from General Atomics was cleared at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, PTI reported citing people familiar with the matter.

  The nearly USD 3 billion deal is expected to be announced following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in Washington.

  • The Biden administration has given executive approvals for the manufacturing of the GE-F414 jet engine in India, in a multi-million-dollar deal with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL). Called as a "crown jewel", this is for the first time that Washington is sharing this technology with a non-ally, Hindustan Times reported.

    "It is transformative. India will have access to the full engine. There are no black boxes here. The manufacturing in India is going to start with technology sharing of way over 50% which rises over the production cycle. There will be a flexible licensing agreement. India will have designs and sensitive technology. This is more tech transfer than the US has ever authorised. We are breaking through into new frontiers," said a person aware of the discussions. The GE and HAL will sign an MoU on the manufacturing deal during the PM's visit.

    • A key topic that is likely to come for discussion during the PM's visit is related to visa wait time. India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu has confirmed in an interview that there will be talks on easing the waiting period of US visas for Indians.
    • The US is expected to ask India to join the trade pillar under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to trade experts.
    • Bilateral issues like market access for goods and restoration of India's Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) status by America may also come up for discussion, according to trade experts. The framework is structured around four pillars relating to trade, supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy (issues like tax and anti-corruption). India has joined all the pillars except the trade one.
    • The visit also includes an address to the Joint Session of the US Congress on June 22. He will also address an invitation-only gathering of diaspora leaders from across the country at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington on June 23.