Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the White House for a state visit with President Joe Biden. Despite Modi’s drift towards authoritarianism, the US sees India as a crucial partner in addressing global challenges like climate change and technology. India’s burgeoning population and democratic values make it an attractive partner for the US, particularly in light of growing tensions with China. The state visit will feature extensive talks in the Oval Office, a state dinner, and a joint news conference. While Indian officials initially balked at the idea of a news conference, they eventually agreed to a compromise format with one journalist from each side. The visit aims to strengthen the relationship between the two nations, producing agreements on technology and defense cooperation.
India’s human rights record is a source of concern for many in the US, including over 70 congressional Democrats who have urged President Biden to raise these concerns with Modi. Modi’s increasingly strident brand of Hindu nationalist politics and crackdown on dissent have come under scrutiny, as have policies that discriminate against Muslims. Modi himself was denied a visa to the US in 2005 due to his alleged role in anti-Muslim violence, though a Supreme Court-ordered investigation absolved him of blame.
The state visit is also expected to address Russia’s war in Ukraine, an ongoing conflict on which India has not taken a definitive side. The country’s continued purchase of Russian oil has helped prop up Moscow amid sanctions. However, India is diversifying its arms purchases away from relying on any one nation, like Russia, for arms. The state visit will also feature announcements in the technology space and defense cooperation, including the purchase of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones and a new joint-production agreement for F414 jet engines.
Despite concerns over Modi’s human rights record, the state visit represents a crucial opportunity for the US to strengthen its relationship with India. As one of the world’s largest democracies and a key player in Asia, India’s partnership is essential to addressing global challenges and countering the growing influence of China. While the US will need to make certain trade-offs in exchange for this partnership, the benefits are likely to be significant in the long term.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-06-22 10:02:00
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