Biden’s Approach to Modi’s Visit : Addressing Concerns and Embracing Opportunities

Biden Extends Warm Welcome to Modi’s Visit Amidst Trade-offs

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the White House for a state visit, President Joe Biden finds himself in a delicate balancing act. While concerns about Modi’s authoritarian tendencies and human rights issues have raised alarms in the West, Biden recognizes the importance of India’s role in his Asian strategy. With India now the world’s most populous country, Biden believes that addressing global challenges like climate change and technological advancements necessitates India’s participation. Moreover, given the escalating tensions between the US and China, forging a strong partnership with India becomes even more crucial for Biden.

Officials state that these considerations led to Modi’s invitation for a state visit, marking his third such visit during Biden’s presidency. On Thursday, the prime minister will be greeted with grand gestures of American hospitality, including a magnificent military parade on the South Lawn, extensive discussions in the Oval Office, and an evening state dinner featuring a renowned plant-based chef to cater to Modi’s vegetarian diet.

One point of contention during the visit has been the joint news conference, a customary element of state visits over the past two decades. Initially, Indian officials resisted the White House’s insistence on a news conference, as Modi himself avoids press conferences in India, where press freedom groups claim there has been a crackdown on reporting. Instead, Indian officials proposed joint statements without taking questions. However, a compromise was reached just before Modi’s visit: a “one-and-one” format, where one reporter from each side would be called upon, rather than the traditional “two-and-two” format with two reporters from each press corps.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby expressed gratitude that Prime Minister Modi agreed to participate in a press event, underlining its importance. The Indian Embassy has yet to provide a comment on the matter.

The state visit on Thursday aims to strengthen what National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has described as “one of the defining relationships of the 21st century.” The meetings are expected to yield agreements on technology and defence cooperation, highlighting Biden’s efforts to bolster relationships in a region grappling with China’s increasingly assertive posture. Discussions may also touch upon India’s stance on Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, as India’s continued purchase of Russian oil has helped sustain Moscow amid global sanctions.

Sullivan stressed that the long-term trajectory of the US-India relationship is built on the shared values of two democracies collaborating together. The significance of people-to-people ties will be celebrated during this visit.

While inviting leaders with authoritarian tendencies for state visits is not unprecedented, Biden’s foreign policy prioritizes the struggle between democracy and autocracy, a theme that resonates strongly in India. Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has faced scrutiny for its Hindu nationalist politics and the suppression of dissent. In the past, Modi himself was denied a US visa due to allegations of his involvement in anti-Muslim violence. Although he was cleared of blame by an Indian Supreme Court investigation, numerous human rights groups, lawmakers, and dissidents expect Biden to raise concerns about Modi’s record during the White House visit.

China’s influence will also be a significant topic of discussion during the state visit. The anticipated announcements include advancements in technology, defence cooperation, and military ties aimed at countering China’s assertive behaviour. Notably, India’s commitment to purchasing MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones is expected to deepen military ties between the two nations. Additionally, the leaders will emphasize an “unprecedented” next-generation defence partnership, involving joint production of F414 jet engines in India by US manufacturer GE and the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics.

Other expected announcements include India joining the US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration, a joint mission with NASA to the International Space Station in 2024, and the

 groundbreaking of a new $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India by US-based semiconductor producer Micron Technology. The discussions will also address enhancing educational exchanges, advancing visa policies, and expanding diplomatic presence in each country. The upcoming G20 summit, hosted by India in September, will be another topic of discussion.

Biden’s efforts to deepen ties with India coincide with the shared challenge of China’s growing influence. He has met with Modi on several occasions, including through the Quad leaders’ meetings. Biden recently revealed that his revival of the four-way alliance had unsettled Chinese President Xi Jinping, who expressed concerns. Sullivan clarified that while China would be discussed during the visit, the primary focus would not solely be on China but rather on various domains such as military, technology, and economics, where China’s role is relevant.