Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his maiden state visit to the United States on Tuesday morning. The visit is set to advance the alliance between two of the world’s largest democracies. With a packed schedule including key engagements with US President Joe Biden, International Yoga Day celebrations at United Nations Headquarters, and a potential jet deal, Prime Minister Modi’s US visit could reshape not just Indo-American ties, but also the fabric of the global political landscape.
PM Modi will also address the US Congress on Thursday, June 22. He will be the first Indian prime minister to do this twice. PM Modi will also attend an event in Washington, DC, where he will interact with business leaders.
Here are five key aspects of this visit to watch out for:
1. Meeting with President Joe Biden
PM Modi’s state visit to the US comes at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The meeting between the two leaders is set to cover five broad areas, including defence and strategic cooperation, healthcare partnerships, technology, environmental concerns, renewable energy, and knowledge and education. Bilateral discussions, delegation-level discussions, and press statements are on the cards. This meeting holds great potential for progress in various defence-related agreements and the enhancement of India’s defence capabilities.
“We seek to deepen India-USA ties in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, technology, and other such areas,” wrote PM Modi on Twitter ahead of his departure.
Leaving for USA, where I will attend programmes in New York City and Washington DC. These programmes include Yoga Day celebrations at the @UN HQ, talks with @POTUS @JoeBiden, address to the Joint Session of the US Congress and more. https://t.co/gRlFeZKNXR
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 20, 2023
2. Yoga Day celebrations
PM Modi is scheduled to lead the International Day of Yoga celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York on June 21. Participation in such global events highlights India’s soft power and gives an opportunity to spread awareness about yoga, a practice that originated in India, internationally.
3. Jet deal
Defence and strategic cooperation form a key part of PM Modi’s agenda. The discussions could lead to potential agreements such as joint manufacturing of fighter jet engines and defence-related acquisitions. Strengthening the bilateral relationship between the US and India is driven by shared interests, particularly concerns over China. These potential agreements can significantly enhance India’s defence capabilities.
4. Engagements with business leaders and Indian diaspora
During his visit, PM Modi is also scheduled to engage with business personalities in New York and the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Centre. The engagement with the diaspora will focus on PM Modi’s role in India’s growth story.
5. US Congress address
PM Modi has been invited to address a joint session of the US Congress. The speech would be a platform for him to highlight the importance of India-US relations, India’s stand on global issues, and opportunities for further collaboration. This visit is anticipated to further deepen India-US ties, contribute to India’s economic growth, and enhance India’s global reputation ahead of the G20 summit.