India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington highlights the United States’ efforts to strengthen ties with India, despite ongoing disagreements over Ukraine and human rights, with expectations of significant announcements such as a deal for General Electric.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday opened a state visit to Washington as the United States steps up its wooing of India despite simmering disagreements on Ukraine and human rights.
President Joe Biden is putting on the full pomp for only the third state visit of his administration, with the billion-plus country seen as a pivotal partner in growing global competition with China.
Modi, flying in from New York where he exerted Indian soft power with a public yoga demonstration, kicked off his visit with an intimate private dinner with Biden at the White House.
On Thursday, India’s most powerful leader in decades will be welcomed with full military honors at the White House, address a joint session of Congress and be feted by a state dinner.
People following the trip expect significant announcements, including a deal for General Electric to supply engines for India’s first home-grown fighter jets.
The world’s two largest democracies are also likely to make announcements on climate, one area where the two countries have long clashed, albeit politely, on the responsibilities of developed versus developing countries.
The United States has been seeking a closer relationship with India since the late 1990s, seeing the nation as like-minded on the challenges of China and radical Islamism.
The Biden administration has vowed a more significant global focus on human rights but has kept a light touch with Modi, who has faced criticism from human rights groups.
The State Department, in its latest report on religious freedom, pointed to attacks on minorities in India and statements viewed as inflammatory by members of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
India has otherwise largely enjoyed a pass from the United States, including over Russia, which Biden seeks to isolate over its invasion of Ukraine.
Modi has refused to join Western-led sanctions on Moscow, which supported New Delhi during the Cold War, and India has instead seized on the war to buy Russian oil at discounted prices.
Miroslava Salazar with AFP
