In an era where geopolitical realities seem to be shifting gears, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US can be described as a ‘bilateral meeting’ at its best. The recognition of India and its growth story was rightly evident.
It was the PM’s first state visit. A rare occurrence signalling the US intention to partner. The intent shift was not made in a day. We can date it back to the days of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh signing the nuclear deal. But the confidence of the ‘then PM’ and the ‘now PM’ in shaking hands with the US counterpart is significantly different. The shiny development report card of India takes the credit for this now.
Moving up the rungs
Moving from ninth to fifth place in the world’s economy and being poised to be the third soon is quite an achievement. Importantly, there is enough evidence to show inclusive and sustainable growth that the world loves to hear. India’s neutral stand in the Ukrainian war and its care and capability to supply aid and indigenous covid vaccines to other countries gave India a new image in the world order. The China factor also had its role.
In the current US visit, both the US President and the Indian Prime Minister made it clear that their countries’ friendship is mutually welcoming and the relationship is defining. It was said loud and clear that the coming together of India and the US is the best option to create a better world. Deals like GE fighter engine manufacture technology transfer happen only among closer allies. In the semiconductor space, US dependence on Chinese supply was hit hard during Covid, and in the process of strengthening the supply base, the US taking India as a preferred partner is beneficial for India to build the technological base. Much of the technology challenges in the AI space are new to the whole world and India being ahead in the race and aligned with the right partners sounds exciting. Opening of new consulates and the visa extension to be allowed in the US premises express the continued interest in Indian techies.
Cementing the position
Resolution of six outstanding WTO disputes and the Indo-US trade in goods and services being projected to be over USD 500 billion in 2030 reflects friendly business bonds ahead. As part of global governance, the United States has reiterated its support for India’s permanent membership in, International Energy Agency and in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Shiny report card
Beyond trade and business, the strong values of culture and democracy stood out in Modi’s speeches. With the PM mentioning 2500 political parties and 20 ruling parties in different states, India’s democracy left the western world perplexed and unable to comprehend its diversity. The anti-minority narrative and the boycott letter to the President are essential politics in a democracy that was easily brushed aside by the India growth report realities. How else can one explain when over 200 million Indian Muslims, close to the numbers living in the Muslim country of Pakistan or little less than those in Bangladesh; are already part of India’s inclusive growth report card entries? One cannot rule out that, people in the well of the congress were lining up to take the autograph of the Prime Minister confirming that an impact was already made.
Several thousand Indian Americans were on the streets, be it outside the UN when the PM participated in Yoga Day or outside the Congress and White House shouting slogans of Vande Mataram, Bharat Mata Ki Jai are not ordinary day scenes. The Prime Minister’s visit, like in the past, has given a facelift to India and its diaspora. In a nutshell, India is gaining international attention like never before and its growth story is the attraction.
