Modi In US: Shaping Lives, Dreams & Destinies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to the United States resulted in significant breakthroughs, including landmark deals in defense, technology, trade, and space cooperation. The visit solidified India-US relations, paving the way for strategic partnerships and collaborations that will have a global impact.

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Preface:

The three-day visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States from 12 to 23 June 2023 held immense significance, not only for the bilateral relations between India and the US but also for the global geopolitical landscape. Ties between India and the United States soared to new heights with the announcements of landmark deals in defence, semiconductors, cooperation in critical and emerging technology, critical minerals, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and space cooperation. The deals signify the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations.

Congress’ Pettiness:

The fossilized minds and spineless demeanor of the Congress, which has impeded the nation’s progress for decades, once again rendered them blind to the Prime Minister’s impactful visit and the thunderous reception he received. Their vassal mentality, rooted in a lack of vision, continues to obstruct any recognition of the Prime Minister’s accomplishments and the widespread admiration he commands. They brazenly showcased their festering bile, revealing their complete detachment from the people outside their elitist bubble.

They stooped to the level of mocking Narendra Modi’s English proficiency, gleefully seizing upon Obama’s veiled threat while demeaning India in the process. Just as they did with the Rafale Aircraft deal, they shamelessly resorted to spreading falsehoods regarding the crucial drone deal. Prime Minister Modi, a self-taught individual, extended himself on American soil, addressing a joint session of their Congress in their own language. Yet, the entitled and elitist cabal in India, along with their vulgar mouthpieces, took pleasure in ridiculing the Prime Minister for his English skills. Nowhere else do we witness such a deplorable standard of discourse.

Rather than challenging Obama’s baseless allegations of Muslims being endangered in India, they amplified his claims, conveniently ignoring his own track record. During Obama’s presidency, the United States dropped a staggering 26,000 bombs on six Muslim-majority countries and attempted to impose regime change in Syria. It is worth noting that under Obama’s watch, the United States witnessed a staggering 270,000 hate crimes in a single year. Instead of exposing this glaring hypocrisy and emphasizing that Indian leaders do not lecture the United States on its treatment of African Americans, they allowed Obama to lecture India. It is truly disheartening to witness such a stance that amplifies baseless accusations for petty politics. The incurable mentality of the Congress party appears to be deeply entrenched and resistant to any form of transformation or progress.

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The Rousing Welcome:

The White House pulled out all the stops to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi. U.S. President Joe Biden met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on an official state visit in Washington D.C, which included a South Lawn welcome, a state dinner, and an address to a joint session of Congress — an honor rarely granted to a visiting foreign leader. Narendra Modi became just the third world leader, to receive this kind of diplomatic reception from President Biden. He became the only Indian Prime Minister to address a joint session of the US Congress twice.

State visits are typically designated for heads of state rather than heads of government, making it particularly noteworthy that Prime Minister Modi, as the head of government, is being bestowed with this diplomatic privilege. This highlights the personal significance of the visit within his role, as the President of India holds the position of head of state. Visits of lesser significance are classified as official visits, official working visits, working visits, guest-of-government visits, or private visits, depending on their level of importance.

But behind the carefully crafted ceremonies lie discussions that have the potential to not only infuse new energy into India-US relations but also have an impact on the global order.

Countering China:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed ways to consolidate their presence in the Indo-Pacific. The US needs India’s influence in the region more than anywhere else right now. India’s close defence cooperation with the US would serve as a deterrent to China’s assertive behavior in the region. The sharing of intelligence, joint military exercises, and technology transfers would also enhance India’s defence capabilities, making it a formidable force in countering potential threats. India’s deepening relationship with the US makes it part of the bulwark of nations committed to countering Beijing’s malign influence. The two leaders also focused on trade and investment to enhance their economic integration, reducing their dependence on Chinese markets.

Defence:

Several significant defence deals were signed, demonstrating the growing military partnership between the two countries. These deals not only bolster India’s defence capabilities but also pave the way for increased defence technology transfers, joint exercises, and information sharing.

One of the biggest deals in the basket is the joint production of F414 jet engine by US’ GE and India’s HAL for Tejas Mark-1 aircraft. The agreement will advance GE Aerospace’s earlier commitment to build 99 engines for the IAF as part of the LCA-Mk-II program. The first F414 engines are expected to be delivered from US over the next three years while HAL sets up a production facility for it in India.

India is also set to buy 31 High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) MQ-9 Reaper drones made by General Atomics. These drones have a range of over 1,000 miles and can stay in the air for over 24 hours. They can carry 500% more payload and has nine times the horsepower in comparison to the earlier MQ-1 Predator. The acquisition of these drones will sharpen India’s defenses against China by allowing us to monitor Chinese troop movements along the border and by improving our naval surveillance capabilities to track Chinese maritime activities in the Indian Ocean.

The two countries also moved forward on the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), which enables supply of real-time intelligence and information and allows in future to piggyback on American geo-spatial information to hit enemy targets with pinpoint accuracy.

Other key areas of collaboration between India and the US that were discussed include the joint development of next-generation M777 lightweight howitzers, long-range specialized artillery munitions, and the potential for manufacturing Stryker armored personnel carriers within India. Both countries are also exploring increased cooperation in hypersonic technology, advanced materials for technological advancements, and collaboration in autonomous underwater capabilities.

Technology:

During Narendra Modi’s visit, India and the US formed partnerships in 35 emerging technologies, strengthening their collaborative efforts in the field. The two countries signed the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology deal which will allow US and Indian firms and universities in different sectors, including IT, space, defence, artificial intelligence, education and healthcare, to work together. Both nations also established the US-India Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X), a network of academic institutions, businesses, organizations, and think tanks, which will promote the development of sophisticated defence technologies by the respective sectors of the two nations.

Several US companies such as Micron, Applied Materials, and Lam Research announced investments for semiconductor testing and assembly facility, engineering collaboration, and training of relevant workforce. Micron Technology would invest up to $825 million in a new chip assembly and test plant in Gujarat. US semiconductor toolmaker Applied Materials will invest $400 million over four years in a new engineering center in India.

The US Department of Defense’s Space Force signed a development agreement with Indian start-ups 114 AI and 3rdiTech, where both businesses will collaborate with General Atomics to jointly create components employing state-of-the-art AI and semiconductor technologies.

Another major achievement is the alliance in quantum computing, marked by the establishment of a joint Indo-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism. This mechanism aims to foster collaboration among businesses, academia, and government, with the ultimate goal of establishing a comprehensive Quantum Information Science and Technology agreement. Additionally, two Joint Task Forces have been formed to drive advancements in advanced telecommunications, specifically in Open RAN and 5G/6G research and development.

Trade:

India’s Department of Atomic Energy will provide an in-kind contribution of $170 million towards collaborative development of the largest frontline international research facility in the US. Indian firms announced more than $2 billion in new investments in the US. India’s Epsilon Carbon Limited will invest $650 million in a greenfield electric vehicle battery component factory, hiring over 500 employees over the course of five years. Vikram Solar Ltd is set to invest $1.5 billion in the US solar energy supply chain, including the establishment of a Colorado factory next year. This investment is significant as it aligns with the US objective of developing a robust clean energy manufacturing sector, enabling greater competition with China.

A notable achievement is the resolution of six out of seven WTO disputes between India and the US, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral relations. Furthermore, India’s participation as a co-leader in the Hydrogen Breakthrough Agenda and its decision to join the Mineral Security Partnership present opportunities for collaboration in critical minerals, particularly in emerging industries such as electric mobility and green energy transition.

Boeing has pledged $100 million towards infrastructure development and pilot training programs in India. In addition, the US-based International Battery Company (IBC) has expressed its intention to invest $800 million in setting up a cell manufacturing unit in Karnataka. Google has committed to investing a significant amount of $10 billion in India’s digitization fund. Additionally, they have expressed their plans to expand the availability of Bard to a wider range of Indian languages in the near future. These commitments highlight significant investments from renowned companies in India’s aviation and renewable energy sectors, fostering economic growth and technological advancements.

Space & Diplomacy:

India joined the US-led Artemis program, a human spaceflight initiative focused on returning humans to the Moon by 2025. As part of this collaboration, India will contribute by offering launch vehicles and various support services. Both countries have also established a framework for human spaceflights, with plans for an Indian mission to the International Space Station in 2024, showcasing the deepening collaboration between India and the US in the field of space exploration.

To facilitate the renewal process for H-1B visas of Indian professionals employed in the US, the US government has announced the implementation of ‘in-country’ renewable H-1B visas as a pilot initiative, aimed at simplifying the process. Additionally, both countries have agreed to establish new consulates on a reciprocal basis to strengthen people-to-people connections and travel. The United States plans to open consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, while India is set to open a consulate in Seattle this year, with two more consulates in the US soon to be announced.

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Conclusion:

American ties with India are stronger, closer, and more dynamic than they were at any time in history. With a flurry of deals and mega announcements, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to US has yielded fruitful results for both the countries.

From being previously denied a visa to now witnessing earnest efforts by the superpower to appease India, it is evident how Narendra Modi has transformed into a crucial strategic partner for the United States. In a display of extraordinary enthusiasm and support, there were remarkable gestures made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States. These included flying a large poster of Narendra Modi and Joe Biden over New York, showcasing the Indian national flag on various monuments and attractions, and even Congressmen breaking protocols to seek autographs from Prime Minister Modi. The chambers of the Capitol Hill building resonated with resounding chants of Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata Ki Hai, showcasing the deep patriotic fervor and enthusiasm during Prime Minister Modi’s visit. Following his address to a joint sitting of the US Congress, the Prime Minister received an astounding 15 standing ovations and 79 rounds of applause, with Congressmen lining up to take selfies and seek autographs. These gestures exemplify the immense admiration and appreciation shown towards Prime Minister Modi during his visit.

The Congress and its associates have shown unfortunate discontent over the reception accorded to Prime Minister Modi. Despite political differences, it is disheartening to witness jealousy towards our own country and its leader receiving respect on the global stage. The same individuals who claim unquestionable patriotism are now displaying pettiness. However, the remarkable historic State visit of PM Modi cannot be overshadowed by such triviality. Just a decade ago, 65 elected MPs and numerous self-proclaimed intellectuals wrote a letter urging President Obama to deny a US visa to then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi. Today, Narendra Modi stands as the longest-serving non-Congress Prime Minister, while only a fraction of those MPs were reelected to parliament. Those who mock Modi’s English proficiency are essentially mocking every Indian who hails from a modest background, studies in vernacular mediums, and yet succeeds against privileged elites. Such narrow-minded individuals will ultimately be consigned to the confines of history’s dustbin, while Narendra Modi and the country moves forward.