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PM Modi’s US visit: from attending Quad Summit to diaspora event, key takeaways from his 3-day tour

Here are the highlights from prime minister narendra modi’s ‘successful and substantial’ tour of the united states..

After concluding his three-day visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for home on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

“PM @narendramodi emplanes for New Delhi after concluding a successful and substantial visit to the USA,” the ministry wrote on X.

During his trip, he attended the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington on September 21, addressed thousands of members of the Indian American community in Long Island on September 22, and spoke at the UN’s Summit of the Future on Monday.

The prime minister engaged in bilateral discussions with world leaders and held a roundtable with CEOs from leading American tech companies.

Here are the highlights from his US tour:

Day 1: The Quad Summit

On Day 1 of his US visit, Prime Minister Modi attended the Quad Summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware. The summit was also attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Modi noted that the Quad leaders gathered during a time of global tensions, emphasising that their collaboration is important for all of humanity.

Highlighting that they are “not against anyone” he said that they support a rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. This was seen as a subtle reference to China’s assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific region.

President Biden was caught expressing concern about China on hot mic, saying that it is “testing” the Quad while trying to “buy diplomatic space”. The final declaration of Quad included stronger language regarding the South China Sea than in previous versions.

The summit featured a bilateral meeting between Modi and Biden, who remarked that the partnership between the United States and India is “stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever”.

Both the leaders hailed a significant agreement to establish a new semiconductor fabrication plant in India, supported by the India Semiconductor Mission and a strategic partnership involving Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the US Space Force.

The Quad leaders also announced the Quad Cancer Moonshot, a partnership aimed at initially combating cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific, with plans to address other types of cancer in the future.

Modi and Albanese committed themselves to strengthening bilateral ties, with the Indian prime minister expressing his appreciation for the enduring friendship between his country and Australia. In a post on X, Modi described his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida as “very good”, focusing on cooperation in infrastructure, semiconductors, defence, and green energy.

Additionally, the US handed over 297 antiquities, smuggled out of India, to Modi during his visit, as confirmed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. He also noted that issues related to Bangladesh were discussed in the meeting between Modi and Biden.

Day 2: ‘Modi & US’ mega community event

PM Modi addressed a gathering of over 13,000 Indian Americans, with many attendees hailing from the New York and New Jersey area, while others travelled from 40 states across the country. Organisers reported that sixty chartered buses were used for transportation.

Describing India as a “land of opportunities”, Modi shared his ambitious goals for the nation during his third term.

Modi also announced the opening of two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles, addressing a long-standing demand from the rapidly growing Indian American community in these major cities.

“Every Indian has confidence in India and its achievements. India today is a land of opportunities. It’s no longer waiting for opportunities. It is now creating opportunities,” he said, adding that in just a decade 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty.

The prime minister emphasised India’s foreign policy of fostering equal closeness with all nations, rather than maintaining equal distance.

Recognising the vital role of Indian Americans in strengthening ties between India and the United States, he referred to them as India’s brand ambassadors.

Day 3: UN Summit of the Future

On the last day of his US visit, Prime Minister Modi addressed the UN’s Summit of the Future in New York. He began his speech with a namaskar, emphasising that he represents the voice of 1.4 billion Indians, or one-sixth of humanity.

“Success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not on the battlefield,” Modi stated, highlighting the urgent need for global cooperation amid ongoing conflicts like those in Israel-Gaza and Ukraine .

Modi stressed that reform is essential for the relevance of global institutions and pointed out that the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent G20 member during India’s presidency was a significant step in this direction.

Modi acknowledged that terrorism remains a serious threat to global peace and security, and he noted that new areas of conflict are emerging, such as in cyberspace, maritime zones, and outer space.

During his visit, Modi met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and expressed his “deep concern” about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India’s support for restoring peace and stability in the region.

He also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , reiterating India’s commitment to an early resolution of the conflict with Russia and the restoration of peace. This marked their third meeting in about three months; they last met in Kyiv on August 23.

Modi emphasised “India’s clear, consistent and constructive approach in favour of a peaceful resolution of the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue”.

Additionally, he held discussions with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and met Vietnamese President To Lam to enhance ties between India and Vietnam in areas like connectivity, trade, and culture.

Modi also engaged with members of the Sikh community in New York. Prominent Sikh leader Darshan Singh Dhaliwal said, “We had a very good discussion. The prime minister has done a lot for the Sikh community.”

In his meetings, Modi also met Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince of Kuwait, and they discussed boosting bilateral ties in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, technology, and energy.

He also spoke to Nepal Prime Minister K P Oli about energy, technology, and trade issues.

Lastly, Modi held a roundtable with technology industry leaders, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai. He encouraged them to capitalise on India’s growth story for collaboration and innovation, discussing cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing , biotechnology, IT, and semiconductor technologies.

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India Prime Minister's US visit brings him to New York and celebration of cultural ties

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States has brought him to New York

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi , continuing a multiday U.S. visit, addressed a cultural celebration on Long Island Sunday, where he praised the United States' return of nearly 300 antiquities to India and relayed news of his country's dual win at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, to an enthusiastic crowd.

“I just got some very good news," Modi told an estimated 13,000 people inside Nassau Veterans Coliseum for an event billed as a celebration of cultural ties between India and the United States. “In the Chess Olympiad , in both the men’s and women’s tournament, India has won gold medals,” he said to applause in a speech that was translated into English for an online audience.

Modi was reelected in June following a marathon election in which more than 640 million votes were cast over a span of six weeks in the world’s largest democratic exercise .

“This year, 2024, is a very important one for the entire world,” he said. “On the one hand, there are conflicts raging between several countries in the world, there is tension. And on the other, democracy is being celebrated in several countries of the world. India and America are also together in this celebration of democracy.”

Modi's appearance in New York came a day after he attended a summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware, for leaders of the so-called Quad that also included Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan.

Also Saturday, Modi accepted the return of 297 antiquities spanning thousands of years that had been stolen or trafficked from India. The U.S. has returned nearly 600 such cultural artifacts to India since 2016, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs.

On Monday, the prime minister is expected to attend a United Nations summit in advance of this week's General Assembly .

Sunday's event was sponsored by the not-for-profit Indo American Community of USA.

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PM Modi Returns To India After 3-Day US Visit - Full Coverage In Photos

Pm modi us visit: prime minister narendra modi also addressed the indian diaspora at an event in new york and held multiple bilateral meetings with several heads of states. the prime minister also spoke at the 'summit of the future', organised by the united nations..

PM Modi returned to India on Tuesday after an official 3-day visit to the US, where he met Joe Biden.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today returned to India after concluding his three-day official visit to the United States. During his visit, the prime minister attended the Quad leaders' summit and the UN General Assembly session. He also addressed the Indian diaspora at an event in New York and held multiple bilateral meetings with several heads of states. The prime minister also spoke at the 'Summit of the Future', organised by the United Nations.

PM Modi began his visit from Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, where his flight - Air India One - landed. He was welcome by a thousands of Indian-Americans who had gathered at the airport to greet him. From there, the prime minister went to Wilmington in Delaware, which is US President Joe Biden's home city and state.

President Biden hosted the Quad leaders for the annual summit in his home city. 2024 was India's turn to host the Quad Summit, but on a request by Washington DC, New Delhi agreed to host it next year.

PM Narendra Modi was greeted by hundreds of Indians who had gathered at the airport in Philadelphia. (PTI Photo)

JOE BIDEN HOSTS PM MODI AT HOME

President Biden hosted PM Modi at his home in Greenville, Delaware where the two leaders held bilateral talks to further strength the India-US strategic partnership. President Biden welcomed PM Modi on his arrival with a hug. He then help PM Modi's hand and led him into his house.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to United States President Joe Biden for his warm hospitality. "Yesterday, President Biden took me to his home in Delaware, and his warmth and hospitality touched my heart. This honour belongs to 1.4 billion Indians, it's your honour, your achievement, and the honour of the millions of Indians living here. I express my gratitude to President Biden and to all of you," PM Modi said a day after meeting President Biden.

PM Modi gifted an antique silver hand-engraved train model to Joe Biden. The train model was customised by inscribing "DELHI-DELAWARE" on the sides of the main carriage and "INDIAN RAILWAYS" on the sides of the engine in English and Hindi based on the standard format used on passenger trains in India. Crafted by artisans from Maharashtra, which is renowned for its rich heritage in silver craftsmanship, the model is made of 92.5% silver

PM Modi also gifted a Kashmiri pashmina shawl to First Lady Jill Biden.

After the meeting, Mr Biden took to social media website X and said the United States' partnership with India is "stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history", adding that "Prime Minister Modi, each time we sit down, I'm struck by our ability to find new areas of cooperation. Today was no different."

INDIA-US BILATERAL MEETING

INDIA's GLOBAL ROLE

During the bilateral meeting, President Biden expressed appreciation for India's leadership on the world stage, particularly Prime Minister Modi's leadership in the G20 and the Global South, a White House statement said. The US President also praised the Prime Minister's commitment to strengthen the Quad to ensure a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

"India is at the forefront of efforts to seek solutions to the most pressing challenges, from supporting the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic to addressing the devastating consequences of conflicts around the world," the White House said.

President Biden, it said, commended Prime Minister Modi for his historic visits to Poland and Ukraine, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in decades, and his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine. The statement was silent on the Prime Minister's visit to Russia.

SEMICONDUCTOR PUSH

The White House said that the two leaders cheered the success of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in deepening and expanding strategic cooperation across key technology sectors, including space, semiconductors, and advanced telecommunications.

SPACE COOPERATION

In the space technology sector, the two leaders welcomed the progress towards the first joint effort by NASA and ISRO to conduct scientific research onboard the International Space Station in 2025.

DRONE DEAL, DEFENCE PACTS

The US president welcomed the progress in India completing the procurement of 31 General Atomics MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) remotely piloted aircraft and their associated equipment, the White House said, adding that these will enhance the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of India's armed forces.

The two leaders recognised the progress under the US-India Defense Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, including ongoing collaboration to advance priority co-production arrangements for jet engines, munitions, and ground mobility systems. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden also welcomed efforts to expand defence industrial partnerships.

CLEAN ENERGY

PM Modi and President Biden welcomed the joint efforts to accelerate the expansion of safe and secure clean energy supply chains through US and Indian manufacturing of clean energy technologies and components.

"In its initial phase, the U.S. and India would work together to unlock $1 billion of multilateral financing to support projects across the clean energy value chain for renewable energy, energy storage, power grid and transmission technologies, high efficiency cooling systems, zero emission vehicles, and other emerging clean technologies," the White House said.

The two leaders welcomed the India-US collaboration on a new National Center for Hydrogen Safety in India and affirmed their intent to utilise the new Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) to enhance collaboration on clean energy manufacturing and global supply chains.

GLOBAL HEALTHCARE

The two leaders celebrated the new US-India Drug Policy Framework, which will deepen the collaboration to disrupt the illicit production and international trafficking of synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals, and deepen a holistic public health partnership.

"The Leaders applauded the first-ever U.S.-India Cancer Dialogue held in August 2024, which brought together experts from both countries to increase research and development to accelerate the rate of progress against cancer," the White House said.

In a joint statement issued by Indian and the US, the United States stated that it supports the call for a reformed UN Security Council and said it backs India's bid for a permanent seat with veto power.

THE 2024 QUAD LEADERS' SUMMIT

During his opening remarks at the Quad Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific is the shared priority and commitment of the Quad countries. US President Joe Biden, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, and Japan PM Fumio Kishida were present at the meeting.

PM Modi pointed out the Quad summit is being held at a time when the world is surrounded by tensions and conflicts. "At such a time, it is important for all of humanity that the members of the Quad move forward based on shared democratic values. We are not against anybody. All of us support rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of all disputes," he said.

To strengthen the fight against cervical cancer, India pledged a grant of USD 7.5 million to the testing, screening, and diagnosis of the disease in the Indo-Pacific region. Addressing the Cancer Moonshot event on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders' Summit, PM Modi said the initiative would go a long way in providing affordable, accessible and quality health care to people in Indo-Pacific countries.

"India is ready to share its experience and expertise," PM Modi said, asserting that the grant was made under India's vision of 'One Earth, One Heath'.

The 2024 Quad Summit was the farewell summit for Joe Biden, who is not seeking re-election as President. It was also the final summit for Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, whose term as prime minister will end this year.

After the summit, when asked by reporters if the Quad will survive beyond November 2024, President Biden gestured by keeping his hand on PM Modi's shoulder and said "long beyond 2024" - a post of which went viral on social media.

KEY BILATERAL MEETINGS

During his US visit, PM Modi engaged with several world leaders and held multiple bilateral meetings.

Apart from his bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held bilateral talks with Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida. These bilateral meetings were held in Delaware on the sidelines of the Quad Summit.

PM Modi held several other bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York. These meetings included bilateral talks with the Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli, the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas; His Highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Vietnam's President To Lam..

ROUNDTABLE MEET WITH TOP TECH CEOs

While in New York, Prime Minister Modi held a roundtable meeting with the top American CEOs from the technology field. The meeting focused on innovation, collaboration, and India's growing tech space. It was held at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel.

Hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, the roundtable saw participation from leaders of companies specialising in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and biotechnology.

The roundtable was attended by prominent CEOs like Google's Sundar Pichai Nvidia's Jensen Huang, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, Adobe Chairman and CEO Shantanu Narayen, Lisa Su - Chair and CEO of AMD; and Noubar Afeyan - Chairman, Moderna.

Speaking about Artificial Intelligence or AI, the prime minister stressed that India's policy is to promote 'AI for All', underpinned by its ethical and responsible use.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, "Had a fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation, and more. Also highlighted the strides made by India in this field. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India."

On the third-and-final day of his US visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The theme of the Summit was 'Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow'.

During his speech at the forum, PM Modi said, "Alongside terrorism, new areas of conflict are emerging and it is high time that "global action must match global ambition."

Pointing out that terrorism continues to be a serious threat to global peace and security, PM Modi said on the other hand, "cyber, maritime and space are emerging as new areas of conflict"

Talking of growing global concern over dangers from new and evolving technologies, especially artificial intelligence, PM Modi said, "There is a need for balanced regulation at a global level, for the safe and responsible use of technology."

Expanding on his earlier statement that "this is not a time for war", PM Modi said, "When we are discussing the global future, we must accord the highest priority to a human-centric approach while prioritising sustainable development," adding that "We must also ensure human welfare, food and health security." He also declared that India was ready to share her experience in poverty eradication and bridging the digital divide.

In his closing remarks, PM Modi said that, "The success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not in the battlefield and for world peace and development, reform is essential for global organisations".

Besides his official engagements, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the Indian diaspora in the United States at a mega event organised at the Nassau Coliseum Arena in New York's Long Island.

Tens of thousands of Indians gathered at the stadium. A packed house cheered on Prime Minister Modi as he took the stage to address Indian-Americans. The prime minister called them the "brand ambassadors" of India and thanked them for being the bridge between India and the United States. He credited people of Indian origin for their cultural and work ethos and for being rule-abiding citizens, saying it is primarily because of them that India gets the respect and recognition in the United States.

Calling India the new "land of opportunity", the prime minister spoke about the achievements in India in recent years, informing the Indian community about the progress made by India in several industries as well as the development in social infrastructure.

Before ending his speech, the Prime Minister announced two more consulates that will soon open in the US - in Boston and Los Angeles .

Upon his return, the Prime Minister's US visit was praised by all the allies in the NDA government - from Chandrababu Naidu's TDP and Nitish Kumar's JD(U) to Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha.  

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Statement from White   House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Official State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of   India

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India for an Official State Visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner, on June 22, 2023. The upcoming visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together. The visit will strengthen our two countries’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific and our shared resolve to elevate our strategic technology partnership, including in defense, clean energy, and space. The leaders will discuss ways to further expand our educational exchanges and people-to-people ties, as well as our work together to confront common challenges from climate change, to workforce development and health security.

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Modi State Visit Modi Promotes India to Congress After Meeting With Biden

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized his country’s development and played up what he described as commonalities with the U.S. Earlier, he ducked a question about his government’s treatment of minorities.

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Modi Praises ‘Limitless’ Potential of U.S.-India Partnership

In a speech to congress, prime minister narendra modi of india promoted his nation’s development and said the relationship between his country and the united states was important for democracy’s future..

The U.S. is the oldest — and India, the largest — democracy. Our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy. [cheers] Together, we shall give a better future to the world and a better world to the future. Everyone wants to understand India’s development, democracy and diversity. Everyone wants to know what India is doing right and how. We are not only growing bigger, but we are also growing faster. When India grows, the whole world grows. I can go on and go on. But to summarize I would say: The scope of our cooperation is endless, the potential of our synergy is limitless and the chemistry of our relations is effortless.

Peter Baker

Biden welcomes India’s prime minister despite concerns over human rights.

President Biden emphasized common ground with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India on Thursday during a lavish state visit meant to bolster ties with the world’s most populous nation, while largely skirting points of friction over human rights and Russia’s war in Ukraine, at least in public.

After a pomp-filled, red-carpet arrival ceremony, Mr. Biden and Mr. Modi announced a range of initiatives to advance cooperation in technology, energy and military hardware but revealed no movement toward each other on the areas of disagreement that have strained the relationship in recent months, most especially Ukraine.

In a modest but notable breakthrough, however, Mr. Biden coaxed Mr. Modi into taking questions from reporters at a news conference, apparently the first time he has done so in his nearly decade-long tenure .

Here’s what else to know:

Challenged on his record on human rights and religious freedom, Mr. Modi insisted that democracy was “in India’s DNA” and denied that his government had engaged in discrimination based on race, faith or other such distinctions. Mr. Modi’s government has cracked down on dissent and hounded opponents in a way that has raised fears of an authoritarian turn not seen since India’s slip into dictatorship in the 1970s. In hosting Mr. Modi, Mr. Biden is pushing democracy concerns to the background .

The United States is trying to draw India closer , as the urgency for improved relations has intensified with Russia’s war on Ukraine. India has maintained military and economic relations with Russia, buying up Russian oil at a discount and staying away from backing United Nations resolutions that have condemned Russia’s aggression.

Mr. Modi gave an address to a joint session of Congress where he promoted his country’s development and played up what he described as common themes with the United States.

The two leaders announced initiatives advancing cooperation on telecommunications, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and other areas. Mr. Modi agreed to sign the Artemis Accords — principles governing peaceful exploration of the moon, Mars and other celestial bodies — and they will announce a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024. The United States and India also will open additional consulates in each other’s country.

Tonight, the Bidens will host Mr. Modi for a state dinner on the South Lawn. The vegetarian menu — in accordance with Mr. Modi’s diet — includes an optional fish entree. The first course will be a marinated millet and grilled corn kernel salad with compressed watermelon and avocado sauce, followed by a main course of stuffed portobello mushrooms and creamy saffron-infused risotto.

Suhasini Raj

Indian television heaps praise on Modi during his trip.

“Super King of Diplomacy,” read the ticker placed in bold on top of one news channel. “Long live our friendship,” said another. A third declared, “The Boss in America.”

Mainstream Indian news channels — in Hindi, English and some regional languages — covered Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reception in Washington with adulation, praising his diplomatic skills for millions of viewers before a crucial election year for him.

The visuals from Washington played into what Mr. Modi has already set as one of his main campaign themes: tying India’s rise as a major economic power with his rise as a global statesman.

“The scale, the splendor, the warmth,” one headline enthused. Others, such as “Modi’s breakthrough diplomacy” and “Watch history being made,” flooded Indians’ homes Thursday evening as Mr. Modi walked the red carpet to meet President Biden and the first lady, Jill Biden.

“Their body language reflected that they were incomplete without one another,” one news anchor said as visuals of the two leaders shaking hands played on the screen.

Mr. Modi has carefully crafted his relationship with traditional news outlets, using a mix of incentives and pressure tactics to get most of them on his side.

When uncomfortable issues arise — a state election loss, an ethnic war resulting in weeks of unrest and bloodshed in a northeastern state, a deadly three-way train crash — they are quick to deflect blame away from Mr. Modi.

And when a major moment like the state visit to Washington comes, they are happy to join in the cheerleading — a factor that, combined with how Mr. Modi’s party has mastered social media to take his messages viral, helps explain Mr. Modi’s talent for shaping politics to his benefit.

The coverage of Mr. Modi’s visit to the United States is a political boon, setting the agenda in his favor before he launches himself full-time into campaign mode for parliamentary elections next year.

While many channels showed the White House dinner menu ad nauseam, calling it “dinner for friendship,” some others waxed eloquent about the importance of the gifts Mr. Modi had carried for the Bidens. One anchor declared of a military deal between the two countries: “The biggest defense deal. The hearts of enemies will burn!”

And when, at his news conference with Mr. Biden, Mr. Modi skirted a question on India’s grim human rights record and suppression of free speech, one Hindi-language news anchor came to his rescue on her show, saying he had “very bravely” faced the question.

Lisa Friedman

The U.S. and India agree to speed deployment of electric buses.

The United States and India have long been at odds over the responsibility of different countries in tackling climate change. But as Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up a visit to Washington, he and President Biden cast their nations as partners in the fight.

As Mr. Biden declared climate change an “existential threat to humanity” during a joint news conference on Thursday, Mr. Modi pledged that India was working to become a green energy hub. Both governments also announced plans to help India increase the production of electric vehicles and meet its ambitious goal of installing 500 gigawatts of wind, solar and other renewable energy this decade.

The Biden administration did not announce any direct U.S. funding for India. But senior administration officials said the governments had agreed on a plan they believed would encourage banks to give loans for electric buses, which are seen as a high-risk investment in India.

India aims to deploy 50,000 public electric buses over the next five years. The plan includes establishing three months of delayed payments so that companies can secure loans at lower rates. Biden administration officials said the payment security plan will help underwrite at least 10,000 electric buses.

The United States and India also announced a separate investment plan that officials said will be joined by private companies and others that aims to lower the cost of capital and attract international private finance for large-scale renewable energy projects. The joint announcement billed it a “first of its kind, multibillion dollar” package but no specific dollar figure from the United States or any other country or organization was announced.

Katie Rogers

Guests just started arriving at the White House for the state dinner. Some of the more notable names include Huma Abedin, a former senior adviser to Hillary Clinton; the designer Reem Acra; Apple’s Tim Cook; Hunter and Ashley Biden; and the president’s brother, James.

Alex Travelli and Mujib Mashal

Reporting from New Delhi

One accomplishment of Modi’s visit? Greater defense cooperation between India and the U.S.

One of the biggest takeaways from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit might be that it has injected new momentum into defense cooperation between the United States and India, a slow and turbulent undertaking in the past.

The two sides announced a deal for coproduction in India of engines for fighter aircraft, a $3 billion purchase of about 30 American Reaper drones by India, and a road map to expand cooperation between the two countries’ defense industries. There were also agreements on intelligence sharing and on space-based, quantum and other strategic technologies.

For the Biden administration, helping India expand its defense manufacturing tracks with its efforts to further isolate Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine . India has long relied on Russia for a majority of its military equipment, and any increase in manufacturing capability at home or diversification of its arms sources would lessen its purchases from Russia.

For India, the United States’ latest efforts to improve defense ties is in line with its attempt to grow its domestic manufacturing and reduce its reliance on foreign partners.

India’s military forces have stuck to most of the same weapons systems that they began using during the Cold War. India was neutral but tended to side more closely with the Soviet Union. Indian officials have said their dependence on Russian weapons over the decades was simply out of necessity: The U.S. long held back on sales of military equipment to India, and that has only started to change over the past two decades. As a result, the Indian armed forces still use equipment of Soviet design and specifications. Parts cannot be swapped out, piecemeal, for American-standard weaponry. In some rare cases, as with India’s use of Lockheed’s C-130 Hercules transport plane, a stand-alone American platform can be soldered onto the existing framework. But for the most part, the systems are not interoperable.

Technical challenges aside, one thing that the defense road map seems to be addressing is the reluctance that has kept the world’s biggest two democracies from seeing eye-to-eye. They have a long history of disagreement, over matters including Pakistan, Iraq and United Nations votes. But tensions with China are bringing them to the same table, especially after Indian and Chinese troops started clashing along their Himalayan border in 2020.

Australia and Japan, the other members of the fledgling security bloc aimed at containing China around the “Indo-Pacific region” (as the Americans renamed it, to include the Indian Ocean, in 2018), have long-established military partnerships and even alliances with the United States.

The “ Roadmap for U.S.-India Defense Industrial Cooperation ,” published earlier this month, illustrates the American goal of making India into something more like a formidable ally — and the Indian goal of beefing up its own capabilities. They find common cause in trying to “cooperatively produce the systems required to meet India’s military modernization objectives.”

But India’s ties with Russia are deep and cannot be undone quickly or with good will alone. Ajai Shukla, a retired colonel with the Indian Army who writes extensively about defense, is skeptical that America will find any durable role to play. He recalls how Alexander Kadakin, a Russian ambassador to India, liked to tell the story about visiting the Indian space centers and feeling more at home there than he did in Russia — because so many of the scientists were speaking Russian.

Karoun Demirjian

Modi waves to crowd in the third floor gallery, who stuck around to cheer him as he slowly makes his way toward the exit. Emphasis on slowly. He stopped for more autographs and pictures on the way out.

He texted from the speech to say that he “appreciated PM Modi’s unequivocal statement that India must be home to all faiths and celebrate all of them.” But he added that “American leaders need to also have the difficult conversations with Indian leaders about protecting minority rights, an open press and open internet.”

At the White House, some 400 guests are going to pass by reporters to attend the dinner. One of the guests is Representative Ro Khanna, Democrat of California, who played a part in inviting Modi to give an address to Congress.

Here’s why Modi and many other Indian politicians stay single.

When President Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, take their place on the red carpet at the White House on Thursday to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, there will be an asymmetry of sorts in the picture-perfect setting.

Mr. Modi will go stag.

While a family-centric image is often a political selling point in the United States, in India, many top leaders — the prime minister among them — are proudly unattached, to make a statement that no other commitment can come between them and the nation.

Work-life balance? Not for politicians in the world’s largest democracy, who stay busy attending to the needs of 1.4 billion people and compete with one another in their declarations of sleep deprivation. (Mr. Modi clocks only four hours of slumber a night, his aides say.)

“Every moment of my time, every pore of my body, is only for my countrymen,” the prime minister said in 2019 after winning re-election .

India may seem a strange place for expressions of solitary political devotion. Here, family comes before self and arranged marriages keep families together. Nearly a third of new members of Parliament have had a relative in elected office or a prominent party position, according to one study .

But in a country tired of official corruption, with lawmakers enriching themselves and their families and ensuring political futures for their children, many voters have come to believe that single politicians are less likely to steal.

“The very strong perception,” said Ajoy Bose, a journalist and author, “is that they have no personal interest. That they belong to the people.”

Modi is sticking around in the well of the chamber to shake hands and sign autographs after the speech. In the gaggle of lawmakers around him are Representatives Shri Thanedar, Democrat of Michigan who was born in India; Mike Lawler, Republican of New York; Brad Sherman, Democrat of California; and Joe Wilson, Republican of South Carolina. Modi seems to be enjoying the attention and is not in a rush to leave the chamber -- though his security detail is trying to gently nudge him out.

As Modi makes his way out of the House chamber, he is stopped by members asking him to autograph their printed copies of his remarks.

Alex Travelli

India’s economy is already a star, but Modi wants the attention of American businesses and investors.

NEW DELHI — The state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India is full of eye-catching moments — practicing yoga outside the United Nations building in New York and addressing a joint session of Congress — that seem designed to burnish both India’s image on the world stage and his own image at home.

Apart from impressing voters back home and his fellow statesmen, Mr. Modi is hoping to get the attention of American businesses and investors.

India’s expanding economy is already in some ways a star. It displaced Britain as the world’s fifth biggest economy last year, and is on track to outpace both Germany and Japan in the decade ahead. The value of the companies listed on its stock markets are worth $3.3 trillion, more than ever before, and Mr. Modi’s government has tackled some challenges that have long stymied Indian growth, including rickety infrastructure and banks burdened with bad loans.

Foreign investors have taken notice, especially with much of the world’s economy looking shaky. A string of high-tech, high-value companies have flocked to India this year, with Apple and possibly Tesla making it known that they see a big future here.

But there are ominous signs, too. While foreign investment has been pouring in and the government has spent heavily on roads, energy and other public goods, private Indian investment has shrunk in proportion to the whole. And the incomes of average Indians have hardly budged in recent years, with most of the country still dependent on farming and many others working in jobs that barely keep them fed.

Indian and American policymakers and businessmen have been trying to devise ways that the United States could help India meet the moment — through a combination of trade, technology transfer, labor mobility and integration with global supply chains.

India’s trade with the United States is worth about $190 billion now, Atul Keshap, a former American ambassador to New Delhi who is president of the U.S.-India Business Council, said in an online discussion this week. It should soon be worth $500 billion, he argued, on par with the size of the U.S. trade relationships with only a few others: Canada, Mexico, the European Union and China.

The relationship could be boosted by the two countries’ altered relationships with China, not only in geopolitics, but also in civilian business and trade. American companies and political leaders are eyeing India — with its 1.4 billion people, same as China — as the sole country fit to shoulder some of the immense weight that China has carried in the world economy. “It’s a lot easier to invest $100 million in a country with 1.4 billion people than in a country with 40 million people,” said Cate Ambrose, chief executive of the Global Private Capital Association, an industry group focused on emerging markets.

With much of the world’s economy hindered by the war in Ukraine, inflation and other headwinds, the Indian economy’s power increasingly stands out. This week, Airbus, a European airplane-maker, signed deal to sell 500 aircraft to IndiGo, a low-cost Indian carrier founded in 2006. It is the kind of contract that American leaders dream of winning for the U.S. airplane giant Boeing.

Indians’ median incomes may be stagnant, even as gains made by wealthier people have brought the per capita income up to $1,200 a year. But the room for growth makes the country attractive as a consumer market. Last year, for example, 123 million passengers flew between India’s airports. The government’s goal is to reach 1 billion by 2040.

A new emphasis in the U.S.-India relationship is high-value manufacturing, and an initiative on emerging technologies has brought together government agencies from both countries to speed up cooperation on microchips, satellites and artificial intelligence. The White House argues that these projects, which sidestep bilateral trade negotiations, should help foster “resilient supply chains” for both countries.

Damien Cave

One of the things that makes Modi an interesting kind of popular leader in our current global moment might be his optimistic tone. He speaks of positive momentum, success and destiny more than flaws and enemies.

Mujib Mashal

As we wrote in our recent story about his role as a radio host, Modi has many avatars for keeping himself intimately omnipresent across India’s vastness — including that of a poet. He has written poetry in Gujarati, though he was reading a Hindi poem just now.

Congressional addresses often end with poetic language, but not usually poetry. After quoting the poem Amanda Gorman read at President Biden’s inauguration, Modi recited lines in Hindi that he penned himself.

On China, Modi has always been careful to avoid escalating tensions. When tensions at the India-China border escalated to bloody skirmishes, American diplomats were saying Modi’s government was not comfortable with U.S. officials mentioning China by name in statements made out of New Delhi.

A policy proposal from Modi, as he calls for the African Union to get full membership in the G20. (The speech so far has been big on promoting accomplishments but light on articulating demands for change.)

As Peter notes, the omissions of the words “Russia” and “China” show how carefully Modi is choosing his words as he supports the spirit of the U.S. position, while clearly signaling that India is not going to take a side in these geopolitical rivalries.

The technology transfer piece of the defense deal reflects not just improved U.S.-India ties, but also a major shift in how the United States works with allies in the Indo-Pacific. Australia is getting nuclear-powered subs from America. Japan is buying American Tomahawk missiles. It’s all part of a broader effort to balance China’s military growth.

U.S.-India defense relations have had to overcome a history of deep mistrust rooted in both bureaucracies. But it feels like the countries are turning a new page. The American defense secretary and national security adviser were both in New Delhi in the weeks before Modi’s visit to Washington.

India’s ties to Russia stretch decades, and India still relies on Russia for a majority of its military equipment. So India has been careful in calling for peace and dialogue while staying away from condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

In discussing Ukraine, Modi calls for respecting U.N. principles of sovereignty, earning a standing ovation. He also said “we all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering.” However, India continues to buy a lot of oil from Russia, engaging in a practice that the United States argues fuels the Russian war machine.

Likewise, when he discusses “the dark clouds of coercion and confrontation” that are “casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific,” he leaves unstated who might be doing the coercing and confronting, never mentioning the word “China.”

When Modi mentions Ukraine, he shifts to passive construction. “With the Ukraine conflict, war has returned to Europe,” he said, without mentioning the word “Russia.”

Zolan Kanno-Youngs

Reporting from Washington

State Dinners: Who Gets Them, Who Doesn’t and Why They Matter

As President Biden welcomed India’s prime minister to the White House , the two leaders were looking for more than a fine vegetarian meal and a night of glitzy entertainment.

Under the guise of pomp and pageantry, state visits are a chance for presidents to push foreign dignitaries to align with American interests. They can be a way to celebrate old, ironclad alliances . And with high-profile guest lists , multicourse meals and top-flight entertainment, they are much-coveted invites in Washington .

“These are not just dinners,” said Matthew Costello, a senior historian for the White House Historical Association. “There’s a lot more that goes into them in terms of planning, in terms of invitations, and a lot is geopolitics, a lot is foreign policy.”

When President Dwight D. Eisenhower invited Nikita Khrushchev, the leader of the Soviet Union, to the White House in 1959, he was focused on thawing Cold War tensions after the launch of Sputnik. Before President Barack Obama hosted President Xi Jinping of China, the two countries negotiated for weeks over an arms control accord for cyberspace. President Ulysses S. Grant held the first state dinner for King David Kalakaua of Hawaii to strengthen trade.

The dinners can also provide a window into the regions the United States is prioritizing — and the ones being neglected.

European and Latin American nations have received the most state dinner invitations, while sub-Saharan African and Southeast Asian nations have received the fewest, according to a study by the Center for Global Development that tracked 40 years of state visits from the Carter to Obama administrations.

Out of 160 dinners, just 15 were with guests from sub-Saharan Africa, the study found.

“To be a foreign leader and not get the state dinner, you feel snubbed,” said Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian. “It’s often the smaller countries in the world who don’t get them, but when you’re dealing with big power players like India, it’s a must.”

The invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India was not without controversy. Mr. Biden has made the global struggle between democracy and autocracy a key part of his foreign policy, but Mr. Modi’s government has cracked down on dissent in ways that have raised fears of authoritarianism.

Still, the White House views the world’s most populous nation as a potentially welcome addition to its coalition against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as a crucial player in its growing economic competition with China.

The other nations whose leaders received the official invitation to dine with Mr. Biden — France and South Korea — have also been partners in Mr. Biden’s effort to confront Russia.

The state dinner can sometimes be a means of smoothing over hiccups among allies.

Mr. Biden hosted President Emmanuel Macron of France for the first state visit of his administration, more than a year after the two nations feuded over a deal to provide Australians with nuclear-powered submarines. Mr. Biden invited Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia, for a state visit after he canceled a trip there in May because of negotiations over the debt ceiling with congressional Republicans.

“There are multiple times we see presidents using these visits to not just describe immediate concerns, but also to talk through short-term and long-term solutions,” Mr. Costello said.

Domestic politics often hang over the dinner, as well.

Julianna Smoot, Mr. Obama’s social secretary from 2010 to 2011, said she made sure to invite the often-feuding majority and minority leaders of the Senate, Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell, to state dinners for a rare détente. Governors and mayors who had previously expressed support or campaigned for the president were likely to make the list. And the primary donors of presidential campaigns could expect an invitation, particularly if they had business connections to the visiting nation.

“They didn’t become donors in politics because they were slouches,” Ms. Smoot said. “A lot of them do international work and have an interest” in attending the dinner.

The prospect of strengthening political partnerships overseas and within U.S. borders was usually enough to get a quick response from invitees.

“You’re supposed to say yes,” Ms. Smoot said of responding to the invitations, “unless there’s a death in the family.”

Cheers and laughs for Modi’s hat tip to how well Indian American kids have done in successive national spelling bees.

Mentioning that the United States “has become one of our most important defense partners” gets a standing ovation. Not mentioned: India still buys weapons from Russia.

Another thought on Modi’s sales pitch. William Dalrymple, the esteemed historian of India’s past empires, told me recently that India’s sense of overconfidence might be its biggest problem at the moment, hindering the country’s ability to fully confront and solve the enormous challenges it faces, like youth unemployment and social, economic and religious divides.

Very true, Karoun. Not much love for digital payments here in a chamber that has struggled with how to regulate technology of any kind!

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Modi's US Visit: A Diplomatic coup de maître and the Future of India-US Relations

Prime minister narendra modi's three-day trip to the united states was more than just a diplomatic engagement; it was a masterstroke in foreign policy..

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day trip to the United States was more than just a diplomatic engagement; it was a masterstroke in foreign policy. Through strategic positioning, this visit laid the groundwork for India’s central role in global affairs and ensured that India remains a pivotal player in the US political landscape, regardless of the outcome of the 2024 US elections. From discussions on QUAD to high-level engagements with world leaders, PM Modi's visit has set the tone for the future of India-US relations and reinforced India’s stature on the global stage.

A Diplomatic Masterstroke: Ensuring India's Central Role in 2025

At the heart of this diplomatic triumph was Modi’s move to swap the hosting responsibilities of the QUAD summit, ensuring that one of the first countries the newly elected US president—whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump—will visit in 2025 will be India. This was a stroke of strategic genius, as it guarantees that the momentum in India-US relations will continue under the new administration, regardless of political shifts in Washington.

By hosting the QUAD summit in India in 2025, Modi has not only reinforced India’s role as a key player in the Indo-Pacific but also positioned India as one of the first countries that the incoming US president must engage with. This ensures India remains front and center in US foreign policy, opening up the possibility for a State visit to India that would further elevate India's stature and strengthen ties between the two nations.

The Modi-Biden Relationship: Building on QUAD’s Longevity

PM Modi’s visit began with a bilateral meeting with President Biden at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. The significance of this private setting cannot be overstated—it underscored the personal rapport between the two leaders, which has been crucial in elevating the US-India partnership.

The discussions at the QUAD summit, held at Archmere Academy, were equally impactful. In a telling moment, when asked about the future of the QUAD alliance, President Biden placed his arm around PM Modi and declared, “it will survive way beyond November.” This statement, paired with Modi’s own assertion that “QUAD is here to stay,” sent a strong message of bipartisan commitment to the alliance and further cemented India’s pivotal role in the Indo-Pacific region.

Reinforcing India’s Role in Global Leadership

Modi’s visit wasn’t confined to the QUAD discussions alone. His diplomatic engagements spanned across global powers and strategic regions. In New York, Modi met with world leaders from the Middle East, including Qatar, Kuwait, and Palestine, underscoring India’s diplomatic balancing act. These meetings reflected India’s growing influence as a global mediator and its ability to maintain relations with both the West and the Global South.

One of the highlights of the trip was Modi’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which further solidified India’s image as a key player in global diplomacy, especially in balancing complex geopolitical relationships between the US, Russia, and Ukraine. Modi’s engagement with a wide range of global leaders demonstrated India’s ability to maneuver complex geopolitical landscapes, positioning itself as a bridge between the East and the West.

Technology, Innovation, and Economic Cooperation

Another critical aspect of the visit was Modi’s engagement with the private sector, particularly tech giants like Nvidia and Google. These meetings signaled India’s growing ambition to be a global leader in emerging technologies, from artificial intelligence to quantum computing. The dialogue with US tech companies further strengthened the economic ties between the two countries, with both sides eager to collaborate on technological advancements that could shape the future.

By focusing on economic and technological cooperation, Modi’s visit made it clear that India is positioning itself as a hub for innovation and a crucial partner for the US in the 21st century economy.

The Power of the Diaspora and Global Messaging

Modi’s visit to the US was not just about bilateral diplomacy—it was also about reinforcing India's democratic values on the global stage. During his address to the Indian diaspora in New York, Modi celebrated his third consecutive term as Prime Minister and thanked the diaspora for their contributions to India’s development. He framed his government’s achievements as a testament to India’s robust democracy, which aligns with the US’s own democratic values.

In addition to engaging with the diaspora, Modi addressed the UN Summit for the Future, where he called for much-needed reforms to the global body. His message underscored India’s growing influence in global governance, reinforcing its position as a leader in advocating for the rights and interests of developing nations.

A Clear Signal to Washington: Bipartisan Cooperation

One of the underlying narratives throughout Modi’s visit was his repeated praise for President Biden. Whether during their bilateral meeting, the QUAD summit, or his address to the diaspora, Modi emphasized Biden’s role in strengthening the India-US relationship. This praise was a diplomatic signal that India is comfortable working with both sides of the US political spectrum. It effectively dispelled any lingering chatter about India’s discomfort with the Democratic Party, ensuring that India’s interests align with those of the US, irrespective of political transitions.

A Visit that Redefines the Future

Modi’s three-day trip was a masterclass in diplomacy, designed to secure India’s place as a key player in global politics. By ensuring that India will host the QUAD summit in 2025, Modi has smartly aligned India’s future with the next US administration, guaranteeing continued engagement and strengthening ties.

While some may draw comparisons to Modi’s 2023 State visit, such comparisons miss the point. This trip was not about pomp and pageantry but about substance and strategy. With this visit, Modi has laid a robust foundation for the next chapter in India-US relations, ensuring that the partnership is set to flourish, regardless of who sits in the Oval Office come November. Published By: indiatodayglobal Published On: Sep 25, 2024

India Prime Minister's US visit brings him to New York and celebration of cultural ties

U NIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi , continuing a multiday U.S. visit, addressed a cultural celebration on Long Island Sunday, where he praised the United States' return of nearly 300 antiquities to India and relayed news of his country's dual win at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, to an enthusiastic crowd.

“I just got some very good news," Modi told an estimated 13,000 people inside Nassau Veterans Coliseum for an event billed as a celebration of cultural ties between India and the United States. “In the Chess Olympiad , in both the men’s and women’s tournament, India has won gold medals,” he said to applause in a speech that was translated into English for an online audience.

Modi was reelected in June following a marathon election in which more than 640 million votes were cast over a span of six weeks in the world’s largest democratic exercise .

“This year, 2024, is a very important one for the entire world,” he said. “On the one hand, there are conflicts raging between several countries in the world, there is tension. And on the other, democracy is being celebrated in several countries of the world. India and America are also together in this celebration of democracy.”

Modi's appearance in New York came a day after he attended a summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware, for leaders of the so-called Quad that also included Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan.

Also Saturday, Modi accepted the return of 297 antiquities spanning thousands of years that had been stolen or trafficked from India. The U.S. has returned nearly 600 such cultural artifacts to India since 2016, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs.

On Monday, the prime minister is expected to attend a United Nations summit in advance of this week's General Assembly .

Sunday's event was sponsored by the not-for-profit Indo American Community of USA.

What’s behind Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit?

The US is seeking stronger ties with India, which it sees as a vital ally in efforts to contain China’s rise.

The administration of United States President Joe Biden is scheduled to host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an official visit later this week, as the two countries strengthen their ties amid shared antipathy towards China’s growing influence.

The White House will hold a state dinner in Modi’s honour on June 22, a sign of the burgeoning relationship between the two powers who have stepped up cooperation in areas such as trade and arms sales.

In a press release, the Biden administration said that a recent trip to New Delhi by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan “underscored the dynamism of the US-India partnership in advance of Prime Minister Modi’s historic official state visit next week to the United States”.

But human rights groups say the celebratory dinner is a de facto endorsement of India’s far-right turn under Modi’s leadership — and undermines the Biden administration’s stated goal of emphasising human rights and democracy in its foreign policy.

During Modi’s tenure, India’s Muslims and other minorities have experienced an uptick in violence and repression as the government leans into a form of Hindu nationalism known as Hindutva . Modi has also been criticised for seeking to consolidate power and crack down on dissent.

“A state dinner is a special occasion; it’s not something that just any foreign leader receives,” Edward Mitchell, the deputy executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), told Al Jazeera over a phone call.

“How can the White House honour a leader who is an open anti-Muslim bigot, a right-wing ideologue who censors journalists and turns a blind eye to lynchings? You can work with India and Modi without taking this extra step to celebrate him.”

Confronting China

While advocacy groups have called for greater scrutiny of India’s human rights record , foreign policy experts say the Biden administration is primarily interested in the country as a potential counterweight to China, which the US sees as its most formidable global competitor.

Sarang Shidore, Director of Studies and Senior Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute, a US-based think tank, told Al Jazeera that he believes the US-India relationship will continue to grow as long as their shared concern over China remains in place.

“The United States does not conduct its foreign policy based on democracy and human rights. It conducts its foreign policy based on its interests, as all states do,” Shidore said.

China’s growing military power and assertive territorial claims have become a source of concern for nearby Asian countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan and India. The US has worked to fashion alliances with many of those countries in an attempt to contain China’s expanding influence.

“No question, there is increased Chinese nationalism,” said Shidore. “And China sees India as an increasing challenge due to its relationship with the US.”

Expanding ties

That was not always the case. During the Cold War, India’s relations with the US were often frosty. The country had cultivated close ties with the USSR and helped spearhead the Non-Aligned Movement, an organisation of countries that rejected pressures to join either pro-US or pro-Soviet blocs.

For its part, the US was a key ally of Pakistan. And by the early 1970s, the administration of US President Richard Nixon started to build a cooperative relationship with China, as an attempt, in part, to place pressure on the USSR.

But as the Cold War ended and China’s economic rise became a preoccupation of US foreign policy, India — with its size and economic heft — started to be seen as a key regional ally.

Despite its improved ties with the US, however, India has continued to resist what it sees as a false choice between the US and countries like President Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

But as Russia wages war in Ukraine and Washington seeks to isolate Moscow economically and diplomatically, that balancing act has become more difficult for India to maintain.

While India has increased its purchase of weapons from countries such as France and the US and recently agreed on a roadmap to increase cooperation with the US defence industry, it remains the world’s largest importer of Russian arms.

India has also joined China in buying up Russian oil at discounted prices, while the US and the European Union angle to limit Russia’s power in the global energy market.

But Shidore said that India’s status as a central player in Washington’s Asia strategy gives it significant leverage . Its ties to Russia are not likely to get in the way of its relationship with the US, he explained.

“India has played this quite well, playing Russia and the US off each other, and has benefitted in the process,” he said. “A country like India, which has such a strong convergence with the US on China, can create major spaces where it will differ very strongly from the US and can ride that out.”

Consolidating control

While US relations with allies such as Saudi Arabia and Israel have come under political scrutiny in recent years, Modi’s trip to the US has been welcomed with bipartisan support. An a joint letter inviting Modi to address Congress during his visit, members of the US House of Representatives and Senate have hailed the visit as a sign of the “enduring friendship” between the two countries.

“During your address, you will have the opportunity to share your vision for India’s future and speak to the global challenges our countries both face,” the letter reads.

However, Modi’s human rights record has not gone entirely unremarked. On Tuesday, a group of more than 70 lawmakers from the US House and Senate penned a letter to the Biden urging him to discuss concerns about religious freedom and journalistic expression in his talks with Modi.

The Muslim rights group CAIR, meanwhile, has issued a statement calling on the White House to drop its plans for a state dinner.

Modi’s high-profile reception in the US is a far cry from what he experienced before he was first elected prime minister in 2014. Prior to becoming India’s leader, Modi had been banned from entering the US due to allegations that he turned a blind eye to anti-Muslim violence in the western Indian state of Gujarat in 2002, when he was the province’s chief minister.

The deadly 2002 riots were the subject of a BBC documentary that Modi tried to ban in January, invoking his emergency powers as prime minister. The rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch screened the documentary in Washington on Tuesday.

Human rights groups say the move to ban the film was representative of a larger effort under Modi to stifle dissent and exercise control over independent institutions. They also accuse his government of pursuing an agenda influenced by far-right Hindu nationalism.

In an annual report on religious freedom in May, the US State Department expressed concern about the situation in India, noting that there were “open calls for genocide against Muslims”, lynchings and “attacks on places of worship”.

In May, for the fourth year in a row, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom called on the State Department to designate India as a “country of particular concern”.

In some states controlled by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), politicians who lean into violent anti-Muslim rhetoric face little reprimand. Some Hindu nationalist paramilitaries have also waged a campaign against interfaith marriages , which they portray as an effort to dilute the Hindu population and win converts to Islam through “love jihad”.

Shidore, however, said that Modi’s human rights record has been quickly “papered over” and is unlikely to prevent cooperation with the US, so long as China remains a serious global competitor.

“The United States”, he said, “has set human rights issues aside in order to strengthen ties”.

Joint Statement issued on the occasion of the visit of Prime Minister of India to Bangladesh

1. At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, H.E. Shri Narendra Modi, paid a State Visit to Bangladesh from 26 to 27 March 2021 to join the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh, the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh. The visit symbolised the partnership of half-a-century between India and Bangladesh that has strengthened, matured and evolved as a model for bilateral relations for the entire region. 2. During the visit, Prime Minister of India called on H.E. Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid, Hon’ble President of Bangladesh on 27 March 2021. The Indian Prime Minister joined the National Day programme, Golden Jubilee celebrations and Mujib Borsho celebration at the National Parade Ground as the Guest of Honour on 26 March 2021. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen called on the Prime Minister of India on 26 March 2021. 3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid a wreath at the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar as a mark of respect to the memory and contribution of the great freedom fighters of Bangladesh. He also paid rich tribute and respect to the memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Mausoleum in Tungipara, Gopalganj. India-Bangladesh Partnership 4. Both Prime Ministers held a tête-à-tête on 27 March 2021 which was followed by delegation level talks. Both the talks were marked by great warmth and cordiality. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of bilateral relations, based on deep historical and fraternal ties, which reflect an all-encompassing bilateral partnership based on equality, trust and understanding that transcends even a strategic partnership. 5. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his first ever foreign visit to Bangladesh in-person during the ongoing COVID pandemic to join the celebrations. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her deep appreciation and gratitude for the wholehearted support extended by the Government and people of India, during the critical days of Bangladesh’s Liberation War. Both Prime Ministers underscored the need for preserving the memory and legacy of the Great Liberation War. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the Government of Bangladesh for the decision to establish a memorial at Ashuganj in remembrance of the supreme sacrifices made by the valiant members of the Indian Armed Forces during Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971. 6. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of Mujib Borsho, 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence and establishment of diplomatic relations and appreciated Bangladesh’s outstanding achievements in human development, poverty alleviation, counter terrorism, and remarkable economic progress made under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her appreciation for India’s continuing bilateral cooperation in various sectors. 7. The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the progress of various decisions taken during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Delhi in October 2019 and the Virtual Summit on 17 December 2020. Both sides also recalled the successful holding of the Sixth Meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission held in September 2020 and the visit of the External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar to Dhaka on 4 March 2021. 8. The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the continued exchange of high-level visits which have helped frame a better understanding on both sides on the various areas of cooperation. They also appreciated the regular holding of meetings of sectoral institutional mechanisms for sustaining the momentum of bilateral relations, particularly during the COVID period. Joint Celebrations of Historical Links 9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, one of the greatest leaders of modern times, will be remembered for his courage and indelible contribution to Bangladesh’s emergence as a sovereign country. He also recalled the contribution of Bangabandhu in nurturing peace, security and development in the region. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked India for conferring Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020 on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in recognition of his outstanding contributions towards social, economic and political transformation of Bangladesh through non-violent and other Gandhian methods. 10. Both Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the Bangabandhu - Bapu Digital Exhibition in Dhaka, which celebrates the life and legacy of these iconic leaders. The two Prime Ministers affirmed that the legacy and ideals of the two great leaders would continue to inspire the people worldwide, particularly the youth, against oppression. 11. To mark the 50th anniversary of India-Bangladesh friendship, both sides released respective commemorative postage stamps. It was decided to commemorate 06 December as Maitri Diwas, the day when India recognized Bangladesh in the year 1971. The Indian side announced the establishment of Bangabandhu Chair at the University of Delhi. In view of the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh as well as the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, both sides have agreed to jointly commemorate these epochal events in 19 select countries. 12. Both sides noted with satisfaction that the filming of the biopic on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under the direction of Indian film director Shyam Benegal, has commenced and is expected to be completed according to schedule. Both sides stressed on the need to commence work on the Liberation War documentary at the earliest. 13. Both sides noted with appreciation the participation of a 122-member tri-services contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces in the 2020 Republic Day celebrations of India. 14. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended an invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit India in 2022 in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations. 15. Both sides welcomed the port call by Indian Naval Ships Sumedha and Kulish on 08-10 March 2021 at Mongla upon the invitation of Bangladesh as part of the commemoration of the epochal occasions. This was the first ever visit to Mongla Port by any Indian Naval Ship. Bangladesh Navy Ship is also scheduled to make port call at Vishakhapatnam as part of the joint celebrations. 16. The Bangladesh side welcomed the decision of the Government of India to announce 1000 Shuborno Jayanti Scholarships for Bangladeshi students for pursuing education/courses in India. 17. Bangladesh Prime Minister thanked the Indian side for considering Bangladesh’s proposal to name the historic road from Mujib Nagar to Nadia on the Bangladesh-India border as "Shadhinota Shorok” commemorating the historic significance of the road during Bangladesh’s Liberation War. Both sides looked forward to inaugurating the road soon as part of the joint celebrations. Water Resources Cooperation 18. Recalling earlier discussions, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated Bangladesh’s long-pending request for concluding the interim agreement on the sharing of the waters of the Teesta river. She underscored that to alleviate the sufferings and save the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on the Teesta river basin, it is necessary that Bangladesh receives its fair share of the Teesta waters, the draft agreement of which has already been agreed upon by both Governments in January 2011. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts to conclude this agreement, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders. The Indian side also requested for early finalization of the draft of the interim agreement for sharing of water of Feni River, pending with the Bangladesh side which had been agreed upon by both sides in 2011. 19. The two leaders directed their respective Ministries of Water Resources to work towards an early conclusion of the Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing of waters of six common rivers, namely, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar. 20. Bangladesh side reiterated the urgency for India to allow excavation of the remaining portion of Rahimpur Khal for utilization of Kushiyara River waters for irrigation of the Upper Surma Kushiyara project, as the matter is directly linked with the food security of Bangladesh. In this regard, early concurrence was requested from India on the proposed MoU to be signed between the two countries for the withdrawal of water from the Kushiyara River by both sides, pending signing of the Agreement in this regard. Indian side conveyed that the MoU was under consideration, in consultation with the relevant State Government. 21. Recalling that the MoU on withdrawal of 1.82 cusec of water from Feni River was signed during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in October 2019, the Indian side urged the Bangladesh side for early implementation of the MoU. 22. The two Prime Ministers directed the Joint Technical Committee, formed for the purpose, to expeditiously commence the feasibility study of the Ganges-Padma barrage and other alternative options in Bangladesh for optimum utilization of the Ganges waters received by Bangladesh as per the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, 1996. 23. The two leaders recalled the positive contribution of the Joint Rivers Commission and expressed satisfaction at the recently concluded Secretary level meeting of the Water Resources Ministries of the two countries. Trade for Growth 24. To enhance trade between the two countries, both Prime Ministers underscored the need for removal of non-tariff barriers. Bangladesh side requested for lifting the new policy of Indian Customs stipulating verification of certificates of origin issued from Bangladesh. The Indian side conveyed that under the provisions of the new Customs rules, in the event of a conflict between a provision of these rules and rules of origin of a trade agreement, the provisions of the rules of origin of the trade agreement shall prevail. Further, for bilateral trade to flourish, both leaders stressed the need for predictability of trade policies, regulations and procedures. 25. Both Prime Ministers stressed the urgent need for up-gradation of infrastructure and facilities of the Land Customs Stations (LCSs) / Land Ports in a coordinated manner to facilitate trade between the two countries. 26. The Indian side reiterated its request for at least one major land port without port restrictions or with negative list of restrictions, on the border with North Eastern Region of India, [where feasible] for easier market access, starting with ICP Agartala-Akhaura. 27. The two Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of harmonization of standards and mutual recognition of agreements and certificates for enhancing bilateral trade. It was agreed that in the spirit of liberalizing trade between the two countries, Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) would collaborate for the capacity building and development of testing and Lab facilities. 28. The Indian side congratulated the Bangladesh side on its upcoming graduation from the LDC status. Recognizing the immense potential of bilateral economic and commercial ties, both sides emphasized on expeditious conclusion of the ongoing joint study on the prospects of entering into a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). 29. Underscoring the important role that the jute sector has played in Bangladesh’s economy, the Bangladesh side invited Indian investment in the jute mills of Bangladesh under public-private partnership as part of the government’s decision to revitalize and modernize the jute sector through manufacturing of value added and diversified jute products. In this regard, Bangladesh side urged more meaningful cooperation in this sector between both countries and requested India to withdraw the duties imposed on export of jute products from Bangladesh since 2017. The Indian side welcomed cooperation in the Jute sector. On anti-dumping duty on jute, Indian side agreed to look into the matter. 30. The Indian side urged the Bangladesh side to remove the existing practices against the Indian companies from participating in tenders floated by various Ministries and the agencies of the Government of Bangladesh. Bangladesh side informed that there is no country-specific restriction in the process. 31. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the opening of new border haats at the agreed locations and hoped that they would be mutually beneficial for the economic development of the people living along the remote and inaccessible points of the border of both countries. Development Partnership and Cooperation in Power and Energy 32. Both sides took note of the first meeting of the High-Level Monitoring Committee and directed the Committee to provide recommendations for the expeditious execution of projects under the Lines of Credit. 33. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the robust cooperation in the power and energy sector, including between the private sectors. It was agreed to strengthen sub-regional cooperation, including with Nepal and Bhutan and in this regard cooperation in energy was underscored. The Indian side emphasized that finalization of regulations and guidelines for cross border trade in electricity would increase sub-regional cooperation. India requested early finalization of modalities for implementation of the Katihar – Parbotipur – Bornagar cross border electricity interconnection. Both sides welcomed the establishment of a study team in this regard. Both sides took stock of progress in the implementation of the India Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline and unit-1 of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project and expressed hope that these projects would get commissioned soon. 34. Recalling that the Framework of Understanding on Cooperation in the Hydrocarbon Sector had been signed in December 2021, both leaders urged the relevant authorities to implement the institutional arrangement at the earliest, which will further enhance bilateral cooperation in this important sector. Connectivity for Prosperity 35. Both Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of enhancing connectivity for facilitating regional economic integration for the benefit of the all the parties involved. India expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Hasina’s initiative of revitalizing the pre-1965 rail connectivity as well as for Bangladesh’s support for the numerous connectivity initiatives through rail, road and waterways. In the same spirit, Bangladesh reiterated its eagerness to partner in the ongoing initiative of the India – Myanmar - Thailand trilateral highway project. To facilitate better connectivity and simplify movement of passengers and goods between both the countries, both leaders agreed to an early operationalization of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement through expeditious signing of the Enabling MoU for Bangladesh, India, and Nepal to commence the movement of goods and passengers, with provision for Bhutan to join at a later date. 36. Bangladesh side also requested India for favourable consideration of the new connectivity routes proposed by Bangladesh, namely allowing additional land ports of Bhadrapur-Bairagi Galgalia, Biratnagar-Jogmani and Birganj-Raxaul to be connected with Banglabandha-Fulbari and Birol-Radhikapur by road as alternative routes. India was also requested to consider connecting Birol-Radhikapur and Rohanpur-Singhabad rail-interchanges with Biratnagar-Jogmani as this would help reduce the distance and cost of transportation of goods by rail from Bangladesh to Nepal. Bangladesh side also sought rail connectivity with Bhutan through the newly inaugurated Chilahati-Haldibari route to facilitate rail connectivity with Bhutan. The Indian side requested the Bangladesh side for cooperation in establishing connectivity between Guwahati and Chattogram and also from Mahendraganj in Meghalaya to Hili in West Bengal. Bangladesh side requested the Indian side for a detailed proposal in this regard. 37. Highlighting the benefits of connectivity and the trial run of trans-shipment of Indian goods from Kolkata to Agartala via Chattogram, the India side urged for early operationalization of the Agreement on the use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports for the Movement of Goods to and from India, including finalization of cost effective pricing and regulatory orders. 38. The Indian side requested for transshipment arrangement in Munshiganj and Pangaon as part of the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade until the completion of the bilateral project to develop Ashuganj Container Terminal. Bangladesh side informed the infrastructure limitations in this regard and that work is being planned for upgradation of the facilities. 39. Prime Minister Modi recalled the recent inauguration of the Maitree Shetu over River Feni and appreciated Bangladesh’s support in materializing this crucial connectivity project. Bangladesh Prime Minister stated that inauguration of the Feni bridge is a testament to the Bangladesh Government’s continued commitment to support initiatives to strengthen connectivity and economic integration in the region, particularly for the North-East of India. Both sides agreed to develop remaining trade and travel infrastructure to facilitate the optimal usage of this new bridge. 40. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh offered the use of Chattogram and Sylhet International Airport, by the people of North East India, especially of Tripura. Bangladesh also informed that Saidpur Airport is being developed as a regional airport for the use of the people of this region. 41. With the vaccination drive being on full swing in both countries, both sides agreed to explore resuming regular air travel and lifting restrictions for movement through land ports at the earliest as well as to operationalize the train and bus services between the two countries at the earliest. Noting that the full resumption of travel will depend on the COVID situation, the Indian side expressed hope that the full scale travel will resume soon. 42. Recognizing the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in the sector of education, the two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to widening this cooperation for mutual benefit. In this connection, they appreciated the various collaborative arrangements between the universities and educational institutes of the two countries. Both leaders directed their concerned authorities for early conclusion of the MoU on Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications. Bangladesh side offered to conduct short term exchange programmes for interested Indian youth in areas such as fisheries, agriculture, disaster management, SMEs and women empowerment. Both sides reiterated the desire to continue regular exchanges to promote culture, education, science and technology, youth and sports and mass media. Cooperation in Public Health 43. Both sides exchanged views on the situation of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in their respective countries and expressed satisfaction at the manner in which sustained engagement between the two countries has been maintained during this ongoing crisis. Bangladesh side thanked the Government of India for gifting 3.2 million doses of Oxford Astra Zeneca Covishield vaccine made in India and appreciated the prompt delivery of the first batch of 5 million doses. Bangladesh side requested the Indian side to facilitate regular delivery of the remaining tranches of vaccine procured by Bangladesh from the Serum Institute of India. India assured its best cooperation in accordance with its domestic exigencies and international commitments. 44. Both Prime Ministers acknowledged the importance of deeper collaboration between the two countries in the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic on public health sector particularly in health care services and research. Bangladesh side requested for greater mutual cooperation focusing on training, capacity building, and technology transfer. Bangladesh side highlighted that Biosecurity Cooperation is an area that may be explored by both sides as the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed that without meaningful biosecurity measures, economic prosperity is at stake, given the interconnected nature of trans-boundary trade and people to people contacts between the two countries. The two Prime Ministers appreciated the collaboration and active participation under different mechanisms between Indian Council of Medical Research, India and, Bangladesh Medical Research Council, Bangladesh. Border Management and Security Cooperation 45. Both leaders emphasized the importance of effective border management for ensuring a tranquil, stable and crime free border. Both sides agreed that any death at the border is a matter of concern and directed the concerned border guarding forces to enhance people-oriented measures for ensuring border security and bring down such death of civilians to zero. Bangladesh side reiterated the request for 1.3 km Innocent Passage through river route along with River Padma near Rajshahi District, on humanitarian grounds. The Indian side assured to consider the request. Indian side requested for completion of border fencing at all pending sectors at the international border at the earliest, beginning from the Tripura (India) - Bangladesh sector. Bangladesh side assured to look into the matter. 46. Both sides expressed deep satisfaction over the existing defence cooperation between the two countries. In this regard, both Prime Ministers emphasized on the frequent exchange of programs and enhancing cooperation in training and capacity building. The Indian side requested for early operationalization of the Defense Line of Credit. 47. Both sides welcomed the signing of an MoU on Disaster Management, Resilience and Mitigation, noting that this would augment institutional cooperation in mitigating natural disasters. 48. Recognizing that terrorism remains a threat to global peace and security, both sides reiterated their strong commitment to eliminating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Prime Minister Modi expressed India’s appreciation for the cooperation extended by Bangladesh in security related matters. New Areas of Cooperation 49. Recalling that Bangladesh launched its first satellite, Bangabandhu Satellite (BS-1) in 2017, Prime Minister Hasina Sheikh informed that Bangladesh would launch the second satellite soon. In this regard, both the Prime Ministers agreed for further collaboration and technology transfer in space and satellite research. 50. Both sides acknowledged the potential of new and emerging areas of cooperation in bilateral cooperation and directed authorities on both sides to focus on and augment cooperation in cutting edge areas of science, artificial intelligence, peaceful uses of nuclear technology, big data and technology enabled services in health and education. To facilitate further youth exchanges between the two countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited 50 young entrepreneurs from Bangladesh to visit India and present their ideas to venture capitalists. 51. As part of the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Jeshoreshwari Devi Temple in Jashore and Orakandi Temple in Gopalganj on 27 March 2021. Prime Minister lauded the prevailing tradition of religious harmony. Forcibly Displaced Persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar 52. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed appreciation at the generosity of Bangladesh in sheltering and providing humanitarian assistance to the 1.1 million forcibly displaced persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar. Both Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of their safe, speedy and sustainable return to their homeland for the greater security of the region. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested India, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, to play a strong role in the early repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas back to Myanmar. India assured its continued support in this regard. Partners in the Region and the World 53. Both countries agreed to continue working together for common objectives in the United Nations and other multilateral fora. 54. Both leaders emphasized that the regional organizations, such as SAARC and BIMSTEC have an important role to play, particularly in the post-Covid-19 situation. Bangladesh Prime Minister thanked the Indian Prime Minister for convening the SAARC leaders Video Conference in March 2020 and for proposing creation of the SAARC Emergency Response Fund to counter effects of the global pandemic in the South Asian region. 55. Both leaders agreed to further cooperate in regional and sub-regional platform on a priority basis. Towards this goal, they agreed to make BIMSTEC an even more effective vehicle for inter-regional cooperation to achieve the aim of collective prosperity of all member countries. 56. Bangladesh side highlighted that the country would assume chairmanship of the IORA for the first time in October 2021 and requested the support of India for working towards greater maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Bangladesh and assured India’s cooperation in this regard. 57. Bangladesh side thanked the Government of India for confirming support in favour of Bangladesh’s candidate to the post of Director, South East Asian Regional Office of the WHO in 2023. 58. The Indian side expressed optimism that Bangladesh will join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), which will enable Bangladesh to exchange its own experiences in infrastructure risk management, standards, financing and recovery mechanism with other member countries. 59. The Indian side also welcomed the decision of Bangladesh to join the New Development Bank. Signing of Bilateral Documents and Inauguration of Projects 60. The following bilateral documents were signed and exchanged during the visit: i. MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Disaster Management, Resilience and Mitigation; ii. MoU between Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) and National Cadet Corps of India (INCC); iii. MoU on Establishment of a Framework of Cooperation in the Area of Trade Remedial Measures between Bangladesh and India; iv. Tripartite MoU on Supply of ICT Equipment, Courseware & Reference Books and Training for Bangladesh-Bharot Digital Service and Employment Training (BDSET) Centre; v. Tripartite MoU for Establishment of Sports Facilities at Rajshahi College Field and Surrounding Areas. 61. In a ceremonial event at the Prime Minister’s Office, the two Prime Ministers announced/ unveiled / inaugurated / the following: i. Release of India–Bangladesh Friendship Stamps to commemorate the 50th anniversary of establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties ii. Foundation stone laying ceremony for a memorial in the honour of the Martyrs of the Indian Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives during Liberation War of 1971 at Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria. iii. Foundation laying ceremony for Rooppur Power Evacuation Project of five packages (Amin Bazar – Kaliakoir, Rooppur – Dhaka, Rooppur – Gopalganj, Rooppur – Dhamrai, Rooppur – Bogra). iv. Inauguration of 3 border haats – Nalikata (India) – Saydabad (Bangladesh); Ryngku (India) - Bagan Bari (Bangladesh) and Bholagunj (India) – Bholagunj (Bangladesh) v. Inauguration of Rabindra Bhawan faciliites in Kuthibari vi. Inauguration of ‘Mitali Express’ - passenger train service on Dhaka-New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka route through Chilahati-Haldibari rail link; vii. Announcement of linking the historic road between Mujibnagar and Nadia and naming it as Shadhinota Shorok 62. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the warmth and cordiality shown and the gracious hospitality extended to him and members of his delegation during their stay in Bangladesh.  

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Indian prime minister Modi expected on Long Island for rally, meeting with Trump: What to know

NEW YORK - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to make an appearance on Long Island on Sunday, according to sources.

MORE: India Prime Minister Modi's US visit brings him to Long Island

Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he would meet Modi during his visit to the U.S.

Modi is scheduled to be in the United States this weekend, along with the leaders of Australia and Japan, for a summit of the so-called Quad hosted by President Joe Biden in his Wilmington, Delaware, hometown.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Commissioner of Police Patrick Ryder gave an update Friday on the detailed security measures for Modi's scheduled visit to Nassau County.

Officials say more than 24,000 Indian-Americans have registered to attend the "Modi & US: Progress Together" rally at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The meeting between Modi and Trump had not been previously reported, according to AP.

The Republican presidential nominee referenced it for the first time while speaking at an unrelated event in Flint, Michigan. The Indian embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.

Who is Narendra Modi?

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, took office for a third consecutive term in June.

The popular Indian prime minister has advanced Hindu nationalism in his decade-long tenure.

Modi, 73, is only the second Indian prime minister to win a third straight term. He has presided over a fast-growing economy while advancing Hindu nationalism.

To his supporters, he is a towering figure who has elevated India’s global stature, helped grow its economy to the fifth-largest in the world, and reformed the country's extensive welfare system, serving nearly 60% of the population (AP). To some, he is viewed as almost more than human.

What foreign leaders has Trump met with?

Earlier this year, Trump met with several foreign leaders, including Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán, whom he frequently references in speeches, and Polish President Andrzej Duda, who once suggested naming a military base in his country "Fort Trump." Trump also held talks with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

Foreign leaders have claimed that meetings with Trump are routine engagements they hold with opposition figures.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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List of Outcomes: State Visit of Prime Minister of Malaysia, H.E Mr. Anwar Ibrahim to India

List of Outcomes

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Addressing the press meet with PM @anwaribrahim of Malaysia. https://t.co/7pr6RRm908 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 20, 2024

प्रधानमंत्री बनने के बाद, अनवर इब्राहिम जी का भारत का यह पहला दौरा है। मुझे खुशी है कि मेरे तीसरे कार्यकाल की शुरुआत में ही भारत में आपका स्वागत करने का अवसर मिल रहा है: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 20, 2024

भारत और मलेशिया के बीच Enhanced Strategic Partnership का एक दशक पूरा हो रहा है। और पिछले दो सालों में, प्रधानमंत्री अनवर इब्राहिम के सहयोग से हमारी पार्ट्नर्शिप में एक नई गति और ऊर्जा आई है। आज हमने आपसी सहयोग के सभी क्षेत्रों पर व्यापक रूप से चर्चा की: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 20, 2024

आज हमने निर्णय लिया है कि हमारी साझेदारी को Comprehensive Strategic Partnership के रूप में elevate किया जाएगा। हमारा मानना है कि आर्थिक सहयोग में अभी और बहुत potential है: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 20, 2024

मलेशिया की “यूनिवर्सिटी तुन्कु अब्दुल रहमान” में एक आयुर्वेद Chair स्थापित की जा रही है। इसके अलावा, मलेया यूनिवर्सिटी में तिरुवल्लुवर चेयर स्थापित करने का निर्णय भी लिया गया है: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 20, 2024

ASEAN और इंडो-पेसिफिक क्षेत्र में मलेशिया, भारत का अहम पार्टनर है। भारत आसियान centrality को प्राथमिकता देता है। हम सहमत हैं कि भारत और आसियान के बीच FTA की समीक्षा को समयबद्द तरीके से पूरा करना चाहिए: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 20, 2024

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Idea of renaming India takes new leap? Modi named PM of 'Bharat' in ASEAN-India Summit notes

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BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra on Tuesday night shared an official information regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia in which he has been referred to as the 'Prime Minister of Bharat'.

‘The Prime Minister Of Bharat’ pic.twitter.com/lHozUHSoC4 — Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) September 5, 2023

Modi will be leaving for Indonesia on Wednesday night to attend the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit.

The reference to Modi as the 'Prime Minister of Bharat' comes close on the heels of a G20 invite for a dinner on September 9 in the name of the 'President of Bharat', which triggered a row as opposition parties alleged that the government is planning to drop India and stay with just Bharat as the country's name.

Customarily, in English, the country is referred as India.

Senior BJP leaders and ministers have cheered the move by the Rashtrapati Bhavan with Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar asking what is the problem with using 'President of Bharat' as the country is also Bharat.

The move also further fuelled the speculation that the issue of changing the name of the country could come up during the five-day special session of Parliament beginning September 18.

Opposition leaders, including Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who first highlighted the development, accused the government of assaulting the idea of the country being a 'Union of States', as mentioned in the Constitution which describes the country as 'India, that is Bharat'.

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