Indo-US Relations, a new
thrust
Asad Mirza
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in the US today, on his
first visit to the US after becoming the country’s prime minister for the
second time in may, this year and fourth since he became the prime minister for
the first time in 2014. As per the White House and Indian MEA’s sources, PM
Modi will address a joint rally with President Trump in Houston, today (22
Sept.). This is for the first time in recent history that the leaders of the
two largest democracies would be addressing a joint rally anywhere in the world
Ending speculation around whether he will make a joint appearance
with Prime Minister Modi, U.S. President Donald Trump’s participation in the
September 22 ‘Howdy, Modi!’ diaspora
event in Houston has been confirmed. The U.S. President will also address the
gathering – expected to be in the “tens of thousands” as per the White House
Press Secretary.
“ It will be a great opportunity to emphasise the strong ties
between the people of the United States and India, to reaffirm the strategic
partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracies, and to discuss
ways to deepen their energy and trade relationship,” a statement from the White
House Press Secretary said.
Over 50,000 people have registered for the event, which will be held
at Houston’s NRG stadium. While the U.S. President has not attended one of Mr.
Modi’s previous rallies in the U.S., his Wembley stadium rally in the U.K. in
2015 was attended by then-PM David Cameron, and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
joined Mr. Modi for a similar event in Tel Aviv for people of Indian origin
there.
Mr. Trump’s appearance at the rally will also be a strong personal
signal in favour of Mr. Modi, as he faces concerns from a number of U.S. lawmakers
over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir after the dilution of Article 370. On
September 13, after four senators wrote to President Trump calling for
attention to the communication ban in parts of the state, seven Congressmen
wrote another letter addressed to U.S. Ambassadors in Delhi and Islamabad
asking them to “leverage their relationships” with the respective governments
to ensure tensions are de-escalated, and the government releases those detained
and restores communication. The two countries are also attempting to resolve
challenges in their trading relationship. With the U.S. Presidential elections
looming in 2020, Mr Modi’s presence could also help Mr Trump with the
Indian-American vote.
India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Harsh Vardhan Shringla said Mr.
Trump’s participation reflects both the strength of the ties between the two
countries as well as the personal chemistry between the Prime Minister and the
President.
As expected, like previous tours, protests have also been planned
for today in Houston. Some Sikhs and Kashmiri Muslims had organised a “dress
rehearsal” protest in Houston on Saturday last (14 Sept.), The Houston Chronical reported. The Indian American Muslim Council,
an advocacy group for Indian Muslims in the U.S., sent out an electronic notice
and poster, asking people to join the Houston (and New York) protests against
the government’s Article 370 action and subsequent restrictions in Kashmir, the
NRC issue in Assam , as well as the treatment of minorities in India. About
1,00,000 people have also signed an online petition demanding that U.S.-based
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation withdraw plans to award PM Modi for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan programme, during
his visit to the U.S. between September 21-28.
An Indian delegation of political leaders and foreign policy experts
will be visiting the United States ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
visit there to address the United National General Assembly (UNGA) on September
27. The delegation includes Congress leaders Manish Tewari and Jaiveer
Shergill, BJP’s Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Shiv Sena’s Priyanka Chaturvedi.
The moot question is what is the reason that the Indian prime
minister is in the US almost every year? One main reason could be that after
the world becoming the unipolar world, it becomes essential for every country
to maintain cordial relations with the US, whether be it for arms procurement
or investment and trade.
Finding creative ways to enhance bilateral trade and increased
market access including in agriculture (a particular U.S. concern) and
information technology (of Indian interest), will be of main interest to both
the countries.
In addition, as Modi and people around Modi have been fairly clear
on their foreign policy, economic, and development vision. In speech after
speech, a clear new ideology that we can call “Modism” or “Moditva” has
emerged, a vision that seeks a strong and proactive role for India that
includes being heard at international forums, reaching out to non-resident
Indians, and courting investment. To reach these goals, a certain amount of
marketing is necessary. Modi is a master at marketing and India is in dire need
of marketing.
Marketing is important because it generates the conditions and
circumstances that lead to actual policy triumphs. For example, for investment
in India to increase, not only does India need to change its policies, but also
it needs to convince foreign companies to invest in India. India has always
been poorly marketed on the international arena by the Indian government in the
past. Despite its large size and demand for clout, it has frequently been
ignored and not sought out on major international issues. Unlike Russian or
Chinese leaders, its leaders have not acted like international statesmen in
recent times. India developed an unfriendly reputation as a destination for
international investment and is widely written off by foreign companies.
Domestically, India’s image has largely been shaped by the Western media, which
tends to glorify or disparage its poverty. Media coverage of social problems,
like caste and rape, have further hurt India’s image. In short, India has
failed to portray itself as an attractive country in multiple realms. Of
course, marketing alone won’t change this, but marketing goes hand in hand with
policy improvements.
Finally what transpires between the two leaders will become clearer
in a day or two, but what is clear is that both leaders want to take advantage
of each other, for their domestic politics and audiences, and both are masters
in this art of being verbose.
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