Indian Prime Minister Modi’s US Visit : All You Need to Know

Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States has marked a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between the world’s two largest democracies. Modi’s US visit, which lasted four days and commenced on June 24, 2023, showcased the warm bonds of friendship and cooperation shared by India and the U.S., as well as their collective vision for an open and free Indo-Pacific region.

Modi’s US visit: A chance to deepen ties and address shared challenges

Modi’s arrival in New York on June 20 set the stage for a series of significant engagements. During his time in the city, he met with influential business leaders and CEOs of prominent American companies, including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Tesla, Amazon, and Walmart. The discussions centered around investment opportunities, innovation prospects, and collaboration in India’s digital transformation, green energy transition, and infrastructure development. These interactions were crucial in fostering greater ties between the two nations.

Modi’s US Visit – Day 1 : International Yoga Day

The International Day of Yoga event at the United Nations headquarters on June 21 presented another notable moment during Modi’s visit. Not only did he lead a mass yoga session, but he also delivered a compelling speech emphasizing the physical and mental benefits of yoga. In addition, Modi engaged in discussions with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, covering a wide range of global issues such as climate change, terrorism, peacekeeping, and pandemic response. This exchange highlighted India’s commitment to playing an active role on the global stage.

Modi’s US Visit – Day 2 : White House Calling

Undoubtedly, the highlight of Modi’s visit was his meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House on June 22. The occasion commenced with a grand 21-gun salute welcome on the White House lawn, followed by a one-on-one meeting between Modi and Biden in the Oval Office. Subsequently, the leaders engaged in delegation-level talks, where they reviewed the progress and potential of the strategic partnership between India and the U.S. A joint statement issued by Modi and Biden reaffirmed their dedication to bolstering democracy, human rights, the rule of law, security, and prosperity in their respective nations and across the globe.

The meeting between Modi and Biden covered a wide array of subjects, encompassing trade, defense, energy, health, education, innovation, counter-terrorism, cyber security, and space cooperation. Notably, several new initiatives and agreements were announced to strengthen collaboration in these areas.

India and the US: A stronger partnership for the 21st century

They also announced several new initiatives and agreements to enhance their collaboration in these areas. Some of the key outcomes of their meeting were:

• The launch of a new India-US Trade Policy Forum to address trade barriers and facilitate greater market access for both countries.
• The signing of a new Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for geospatial intelligence sharing to improve their defense capabilities and interoperability.
• The establishment of a new India-US Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue to support India’s ambitious renewable energy targets and green growth agenda.
• The creation of a new India-US Health Partnership to advance health security and innovation, including joint research and development of vaccines and therapeutics for COVID-19 and other diseases.
• The expansion of the India-US Strategic Energy Partnership to include clean energy cooperation and joint development of hydrogen technologies.
• The renewal of the India-US Higher Education Partnership to promote academic exchanges, joint research and innovation between universities and institutions of both countries.
• The formation of a new India-US Cyber Space Dialogue to enhance cooperation on cyber security, digital economy and internet governance.
• The initiation of a new India-US Space Dialogue to foster collaboration on civil space exploration, earth observation, satellite navigation and space situational awareness.

Modi Magic : Address the US Congress

Modi’s address to the US Congress on June 22 was an extraordinary moment, as he became only the sixth Indian prime minister to do so. In his speech, he praised the India-US partnership as “a force for global good” and expressed gratitude to the American people for their support and solidarity during India’s fight against COVID-19. Modi highlighted India’s accomplishments in democracy, development, and diversity while stressing the need for increased cooperation between India and the U.S. in tackling climate change, terrorism, and extremism.

The Indian prime minister received a standing ovation 15 times from lawmakers at the conclusion of his speech. He also engaged in discussions with several congressional leaders from both parties, exchanging views on various matters of mutual interest.

Modi’s US Visit – Day 3 : The Personal Touch

During his visit, Modi attended a lunch hosted by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Vice President Kamala Harris at the State Department on June 23. He further met with numerous CEOs, professionals, and executives from sectors such as finance, media, entertainment, and sports, inviting them to explore new avenues of collaboration with India in areas such as digital media, content creation, sports management, and talent development.

The visit culminated with Modi’s address to the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Centre on June 23. During the address, he lauded the contributions of the Indian-American community to U.S. society and the economy, urging them to continue playing an active role in strengthening the India-US relationship. Modi shared his vision for a self-reliant, resilient, and inclusive India, seeking their support and participation in India’s development journey.

Modi’s US Visit : Summary

The success of Modi’s visit was widely hailed by both sides, as well as experts and observers. It underscored the depth and breadth of the India-US partnership, demonstrating the personal chemistry and rapport between Modi and Biden. The visit also highlighted a strong convergence of interests and values between the two nations, along with their willingness to collaborate on addressing the common challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Undoubtedly, Modi’s visit to the U.S. will have a lasting impact on the future of India-US relations, cementing the foundation for a prosperous and mutually beneficial partnership.