Modi-Biden Meet Ahead Of G20 Meet: 6 Deals On The Table

In less than three months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden are set to meet again, this time in New Delhi.

The bilateral meeting is scheduled to take place today and a wide variety of topics are expected to come up during the discussion. The two leaders will discuss bilateral issues including nuclear energy, defence, visas, and consulates.

However, prominent issues that could feature during the meeting could be the Russia-Ukraine war and the polarisation over it within, Indian Express reported citing sources.

Talking about the meeting, White House NSA Jake Sullivan said, "US President Joe Biden will be meeting with Prime Minister Modi and it will be an opportunity to follow up on Prime Minister Modi's visit to the United States and we will see meaningful progress on a number of issues, including the GE jet engine issue, the MQ-9 Reapers, on 5G/6G, on collaboration on critical and emerging technologies, and progress also in the civil nuclear area as well.

We will mark all of that progress when the two of them meet tomorrow, which shows the breadth of the relationship between our countries. President Biden will also speak on critical, fundamental values that the United States stands for, as he does in all of his engagements. And then, he'll look forward to seeing a number of other leaders on the margins of the G20 over the weekend before we head off to Vietnam."

More importantly, six deals will be part of the discussions. These potential deliverables encompass a range of initiatives, such as exploring a nuclear agreement involving small modular nuclear reactors, developing a specialized academic program for Indian students, advancing discussions on a drone deal, making headway on US Congress approval for a defense agreement concerning jet engines, collaborating on humanitarian aid for Ukraine, implementing a more flexible visa regime for Indians, and establishing new consulates in each other's nations

Nuclear Reactor
A report in The Indian Express claims that the two countries are having negotiations over building six nuclear reactors in India between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC). During the bilateral meeting, the discussion on developing the next generation small modular reactor technologies will be in full swing.

GE Jet Engine For Indian fighter Aircraft
Both parties are actively expediting the agreement between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the production of GE F-414 jet engines in India, specifically for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Light Combat Aircraft Mk 2. The recent approval by the US Congress has paved the way for an unprecedented transfer of US jet engine technology, marking a significant milestone in this endeavour.

Drone Facility
Following India's announcement that it will acquire General Atomics MQ-9B HALE UAVs - highly powerful drones, the talks between the two countries are underway to establish a Comprehensive Global MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facility by General Atomics. A formal announcement regarding this development is anticipated during the upcoming visit.

Programs Customized For Indian Students
Both parties are actively collaborating on the launch of academic programs customized for Indian students, featuring year-long Master's degree courses in STEM disciplines, each with a unique industry specialization. Upon completing the program, students will have the opportunity to remain in the US for up to three years to pursue employment opportunities.

India-US joint aid for Ukraine:
Although India and the US have not been on the same page on the Ukraine issue, the two countries are considering sending joint aid to Ukraine.

To date, India has dispatched approximately 100 tons of humanitarian assistance, encompassing critical supplies like essential medicines, medical equipment, blankets, tents, and food. The most recent batch of aid was personally delivered by the Indian ambassador in Kyiv to Zaporizhzhia, the location of the nuclear plant, last month.

A joint humanitarian aid will send a message to Moscow.

US consulate in Bengaluru; Indian consulate in Seattle:
The US will open two new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad while India will establish a mission in Seattle to boost people-to-people relationships. An announcement in this regard is expected.

India, US, Saudi Arabia On Rail, Port Deal?

Meanwhile, the leaders of the US, India, Saudi Arabia and other countries are in talks on a possible infrastructure deal involving railroads and ports, Reuters reported quoting sources.

As per the American newsletter, this new project can be the key initiative that the White House is pushing in the Middle East where China's influence is growing and the country is a key part of Beijing's Belt and Road vision.

"We believe that connectivity from India, across the Middle East, to Europe is incredibly important and will bring a significant number of economic benefits, as well as strategic benefits, to all the countries involved. But where things land with respect to any potential announcements this weekend, as opposed to down the line, I can't say tonight," Sullivan said.