Why PM Modi's latest US visit is significant
Washington, June 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's latest visit to the US will highlight the growing collaboration between New Delhi and Washington and their "shared leadership" on the world stage, the White House said on the eve of his arrival in Washington. [From 'no visa' to close partner: How Modi's US story has unfolded in a decade]
"This visit celebrates the remarkable transformation in US-India ties. Over the last seven years, the United States and India have cemented an enduring bond of friendship, built on democratic values, open societies, and a respect for a rules-based order," a senior administration official told PTI.
At the invitation of President Barack Obama, Modi arrives in the US capital on Tuesday afternoon as he and Obama are scheduled to meet at the Oval Office. [Modi embarks on 5-nation tour]
President Obama to host lunch for PM Modi
The President will host a lunch for the Prime Minister after the meeting.
"The Prime Minister's visit will also highlight the growing collaboration between our two countries and, more consequentially, our shared leadership on the world stage," the official said.
"From addressing climate change and providing clean energy solutions, to deepening our economic and trade ties, to preserving cyberspace as an engine for growth and development, to protecting our shared spaces on the sea, in the air, and in space, the world is better when the United States and India lead together," the official said.
Modi to address joint Congress meeting on June 8
On Wednesday, Modi will address a joint meeting of the US Congress, the first foreign leader to do so this year and also the first to address a joint meeting of the Congress under Speaker Paul Ryan.
Meanwhile two leading US dailies - the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal - have said that Obama building a relationship with Modi is primarily aimed at China.
The two leaders "have each invested in developing a close relationship", Benjamin J Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor was quoted as saying by NYT.
The daily said the US is encouraging the rise of India as a giant Asian partner to balance China, and India is trying to accelerate its economy with an injection of investment from American companies.
'China's growing footprint has brought India and US closer'
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said among the factors propelling India-US the relationship is China's growing footprint in India's traditional sphere of influence in the Indian Ocean.
The
White
House
is
looking
to
increase
economic
and
defence
cooperation
during
the
visit
and
to
cement
the
new
momentum
in
ties
before
turning
the
relationship
over
to
the
next
US
president,
WSJ
reported.
Since
their
first
meeting
at
the
White
House
in
September
2014,
after
Modi
came
to
power
in
May
that
year,
the
two
leaders
have
met
six
times.
Obama was the first foreign leader to congratulate Modi over the phone after his historic victory.
"The hours they've spent together have allowed them to have a good understanding of their respective worldviews and domestic circumstances, and made it possible to deepen defence ties, advance our civil nuclear cooperation and achieve a breakthrough on climate change," Rhodes said, adding, "It is also an indication of how important President Obama thinks our relationship is with India, as the world's largest democracy and an increasingly important partner."
"For each country, the other country has really emerged as an incredibly important and vital partner," an administration official was quoted as saying by the WSJ.
'US comfortable in helping India protect its global interests'
"India has global interests, and it's looking to protect those interests, but it lacks sufficient capability to do that. So India is looking to make a big bet on the United States to help it gain that capacity. And we are very comfortable with helping India do that," the daily reported.
"India
made
a
big
shift
under
Prime
Minister
Modi,"
the
official
was
quoted
as
saying
by
WSJ
according
to
which
Obama
sees
a
gradual
change
in
India's
role
in
the
world
as
one
of
his
major
achievements.
"I
think
it's
really
hard
to
overestimate
the
rapid
pace
of
progress
in
our
defence
relationship,"
the
official
said.
PTI