President Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House for a private dinner on the eve of the state visit.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
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Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House for a private dinner on the eve of the state visit.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
President Biden is rolling out the red carpet for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welcoming him to Washington with the honor bestowed upon America’s closest allies – a state visit that includes a sumptuous dinner with coffee. black flap.
It’s a sign that the White House values its relationship with India, the world’s most populous nation, seen as an indispensable partner in countering Chinese influence.
But it is also a sign of the delicate balance Biden is trying to maintain between his geopolitical strategy and his campaign promise that human rights will be at the heart of his foreign policy.
India boasts the largest democracy in the world. And while the country continues to have vibrant elections, experts fear that much of what makes a liberal democracy thrive is now being ruined in India under Modi.
“Allegations of depravity, religious bigotry, attacks on the press, attacks on civil society make this a particularly difficult time,” said Irfan Nooruddin of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Trial to celebrate two democratic nations competing with China.” who studies democracies and democratic institutions.
Earlier this year, the Indian tax authority assault local BBC offices after the network aired a documentary criticizing Modi’s role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, where more than 1,000 people died, mostly Muslims. The Indian government has banned the documentary entirely.
More than 70 Democrats of Congress signed an agreement letters called on Biden to discuss human rights and democratic values during this week’s visit.
The White House is concerned about press freedom and religious freedom issues in India, and officials have raised the issue privately with their Indian counterparts, a senior official at the White House. The Biden administration told NPR, speaking on sensitive diplomatic issues on condition of anonymity.
“I think what’s important is how we handle it,” the official said. “Indian interlocutors feel very uncomfortable when they feel that they have been graded or dealt with through very public performances.”
Concern about China is a big part of the US-India relationship
Biden has described the US-India relationship as define partnership of this century. The two countries have common interests in health care, climate change, education and technology.
Biden and Modi will announce a long list of deals on Thursday, demonstrating the breadth of the strategic relationship, officials told reporters. This includes GE’s plan to co-produce the F414 jet engine in India, a new Micron semiconductor facility in India, cancer research and a pilot for faster approval of work visa renewals. .
But experts say the most important point of convergence between the two countries is national security. The White House views China as the greatest foreign policy threat of our time.
“The China factor is really a driving factor in the relationship,” said Akriti (Vasudeva) Kalyankar from the Stimson Center South Asia Program.
China is an “undeniable” factor in the bilateral relationship, the senior administration official told NPR. “Our view is that this is a crucial period to build a strong relationship with India…
And this view is not limited to the White House. Republicans and Democrats in Congress, where Mr. Modi will also speak, have similar concerns about China’s impact in the region.
“[The] The relationship with India is extremely important in stabilizing the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region and allows us to substantially reduce the possibility of conflict,” Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi said. , D-Ill., a senior member of the House Select Committee on China, said. .
India has its own concerns about China
Ben Rhodes, who worked on national security issues at Obama’s White House, said Modi has his own concerns about China, given the historic rivalry and border conflict between the two nations. family.
As a result, Rhodes said he thinks the White House can be more forthright about the decline of democracy and its treatment of Muslim minorities in India without risking continued cooperation with India on issues. national security issue.
“I think Modi is doing this for what he sees as it is in India’s interest to have a bloc of nations that can counter China,” Rhodes said.
Another point of contention is Russia’s war in Ukraine. India has refused to condemn the war, while Biden has spearheaded Western support for Ukraine.
“I think the Biden administration is willing to put the disagreements on Russia aside because they’re really playing a long game with India. And they see China as a long-term threat,” said Lisa Curtis, director of the Indo-Pacific, said. Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, who spent many years working on South Asian foreign policy in the US government.
U.S. policymakers and foreign policy experts see this state visit as a pivotal moment in cementing relationships that are vital for the next 50 years.
“India will have influence in this region. It’s inevitable given its burgeoning economy and huge population,” Curtis said. “And it’s very important for the United States to continue to work closely, even if there are bumps in the road.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and first lady Jill Biden welcome Mr. Noah Isirimah at a technology and education event on June 21, part of Mr. Modi’s state visit.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
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Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and first lady Jill Biden welcome Mr. Noah Isirimah at a technology and education event on June 21, part of Mr. Modi’s state visit.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
