When PM Modi Meets President Trump
If you want to give back to India, this is the best time to do so: PM urges the Indian community inhis official Twitter handle.
The Modi-Trump meeting has been long-awaited and will take place on Monday, June 26.
After Modi entered office, a bolder foreign policy outlook in New Delhi helped accelerate the strategic rapprochement, leading not only to the 2016 conferment of “major defense partner” status for India from the United States.
A senior White House official told reporters that President Donald Trump's first working dinner with a foreign leader will be with the Indian Prime Minister. The two leaders will meet at 3:30 pm EST on June 26, and will deliver a joint statement along with individual statements.
Onn Monday, when PM Modi will finally meet Trump, he will strive to make sure that the U.S.-India narrative doesn’t disintegrate in the coming years. Succeeding in this endeavor will require building a personal relationship with Trump. Besides, PM Modi will look for common ground to make Trump believe in India’s story and taking India as a strategic partner.
Thus, when Trump looks at India, he should see more of a common ground in ‘Make in India’ and the ‘America First’, not as a conflict zone.
Key agendathat will set the tone of India-US talk:
The cry over H-1B
The Indian IT industry has been shaken by Trump’s proposed overhaul of H-1B visas, used by thousands of Indian software engineers to work in the United States.
The seriousness of the issue indicates the face to face discussion with President Trump. Even during the Modi’s interaction with top CEOs, including Google, apple and Microsoft, it was not discussed. It certainly demands the perfect time with President Trump where the PM Modi could use his “true friend” tag to open the discussion and gently remind President Trump of the strategic position of India and reinforcements of shared values and democratic traditions.
As from Trump side, he is aware of the contributions of the Indian to the US economy in terms of embracing innovation, entrepreneurship and integration with the American society. A senior White House official preparing for PM Modi's maiden meeting with Trump, said: “fact of the matter is that India-American has founded 15% of the startups in the Silicon Valley”.
Hopefully, Trump will clarify the H-1B visa conundrum.
Terrorism and regional security
Both are strong leaders and share common vocabulary for countering terrorism. Definitely, terrorism will top the agenda. Regional security and India’s concerns over safe havens for terrorist groups in Pakistan are likely to come up during discussions.Meeting will take place against the backdrop of recent Pentagon report which says Pakistan is “the most influential external actor affecting” stability in Afghanistan”. This would likely set for a domino effect. USA is eventuallydowngrading Pakistan's status as a major non-NATO ally.
ENERGY (Civil Nuclear Deal)
The civil nuclear deal would be part of the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump, the White House has said, emphasizing that the US was looking forward to its nuclear reactors contributing to India's energy security. In addition to that, India keen to have access to US LNG imports and might be pop up under the discussion in terms of quick takeaway.
No to military alliance, Yes to Investments
India has shied away from military alliance as this will be too early at the cost of India’ s relations with Russia and China. PM Modi’s challenge, then, will be to diplomatically steer clear of a military alliance with the US.
India’s trade with the US was worth $62 billion in 2015, making the US India’s second-largest trading partner after China. And, India needs investments in infrastructure and defence.
Defense Deal
Even though, India does not have any formal alliance with the US, there have been strong defense ties with US.Defense ties have intensified in recent years with joint drills between the two militaries and defense sales. Since 2008, India has signed more than $15 billion in US defense contracts.
Ahead of Modi’s visit, the US cleared the sale of 22 predator Guardian drones to India, a force multiplier that will boost the Indian Navy's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. PM Modi’s going to pitch for possibilities and collaboration under the ‘make in India’ slogan andsetting up few bases.Marillyn Hewson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lockheed Martin announced after meeting PM Modi:“Today was a great opportunity to highlight our recently announced partnership with Tata Advanced Systems to offer the F-16 to meet India’s multi-role fighter jet mission.
PM Modi will be looking forward to hear more announcement, and this sets the momentum.
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