Modi’s historic US visit: A turning point for bilateral relations

In a landmark event marked by major agreements and collaborative commitments, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his maiden state visit to the United States from June 20-24, invigorating the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, hailed the visit as “very successful.”
Invited by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, Modi was welcomed on a red carpet at the White House. The visit, notable for its significance and the comprehensive talks held, manifested in deals across various sectors such as defence, space, and trade.
A historic summit on June 22 set the stage for crucial discussions, followed by Modi’s address to Congress and an exclusive state dinner hosted by the Bidens, further underscoring the growing ties between the two countries.
Contrary to past visits by Indian prime ministers, which predominantly focused on terrorism-related issues, Modi’s agenda extended beyond these concerns. BJP Chief J P Nadda highlighted that agreements related to space, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and tech support were signed, indicating a shift in dialogue and collaborative opportunities.
Reiterating the administration’s commitment to strengthening ties, Patel stated, “We will continue to work closely with our partners in India to deepen and strengthen this very important bilateral relationship.” He also noted the strides made in reinforcing semiconductor supply chains, initiating engine co-production, and establishing university research partnerships.
The topic of human rights in India was not overlooked during the visit. Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, emphasised that human rights always feature prominently in the US agenda. In alignment with this, the issue was addressed during President Biden’s press conference held during the state visit.
Meanwhile, back home in India, at a rally in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur, Nadda praised Modi’s leadership, emphasising the BJP’s success in eliminating dynastic and vote-bank politics. “In BJP, the party is family,” he asserted, giving credit to Modi’s assertive global stand that has led to India’s enhanced international status.
Nadda’s address coincided with the inauguration of the BJP’s new party office in Bharatpur, a symbolic representation of the party’s growing influence under Modi’s leadership.
While the state visit has undoubtedly laid the foundation for a more profound US-India partnership, it also set the stage for intense internal political discussions. Modi made a persuasive argument for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stating that the country couldn’t operate under dual personal laws. His push for the UCC, asserting it as the need of the day, was perceived as a direct challenge to opposition parties, thereby intensifying the political discourse.
Modi’s maiden US visit thus serves as a turning point, not only in terms of cementing India’s position on the global stage but also potentially reshaping the nation’s internal legislative landscape.