"China is definitely a strategic topic", Modi went to the United States, India | Modi | the United States

On the 20th local time, Indian Prime Minister Modi arrived in the United States and began a state visit.

On the 20th local time, Indian Prime Minister Modi arrived in the United States. Reported by India Express with accompanying images

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Indian Prime Minister Modi sets off for a visit to the United States today. US high-ranking official: China is definitely a strategic topic for this visit

Indian Prime Minister Modi will visit the United States from the 21st. According to The Times of India, Modi has visited the United States six times since taking office in 2014, but this visit has been elevated to the level of a "state visit" for the first time. "From many aspects, Modi is a strange choice for Biden to receive foreign leaders under the guise of a state visit," the Associated Press said in a statement on the 20th. As the Biden administration determines that its relationship with India is "decisive" for the United States, "the Modi administration's human rights record and close relationship with Russia have been forgotten.". Reuters reported that this visit is seen as a "turning point" in US India relations, with a milestone focus on deepening defense industry cooperation and sharing high technology. It is expected that India will acquire key technologies that the United States rarely shares with non allies: the United States will approve General Electric's production of engines for its domestically produced fighter jets in India, and India will purchase 31 MQ-9B "Seaguard" armed drones manufactured by General Atomics. The Wall Street Journal said, "India is expected to benefit from the confrontation between the West and Russia, as well as the growing confrontation with China."

The promotional images of Modi's visit to the United States released by the People's Party of India. The background image shows Modi delivering a speech at a joint session of the United States Congress in June 2016, when Biden was the Vice President of the United States.

"No Indian Prime Minister has ever done this before."

The Press Trust of India announced on the 20th that before Modi, only former Indian Prime Minister Singh was invited to the United States for a "state visit" in November 2009. According to the schedule announced by the Indian government, Modi will host the International Yoga Day event at the United Nations headquarters in New York on the 21st; On the 22nd, Biden will receive Modi at the White House, who will give a speech at a joint session of the US Congress. The Indian government claims that this will make Modi the first Indian Prime Minister to deliver two speeches to the US Congress. Indian Foreign Minister Su Jiesheng said, "No Indian Prime Minister has given two speeches in the US Congress, and only a few people around the world have done so... including Churchill and Mandela. That's why it's so important."

On the 19th, Political News Network of the United States reported that the most eye-catching moment was when Biden would hold a state banquet to entertain Modi on the 22nd, an honor usually reserved for close allies. Since the Biden administration took office, only French President Macron and South Korean President Yoon Seok yeol have received such hospitality. The comment stated, "This will be recognition of New Delhi's rise, but it masks the complexity it brings, with critics accusing the Biden administration of prioritizing traditional geopolitics over human rights issues."

On the 23rd, Modi will deliver a speech at an event organized by the US India Strategic Partnership Forum, attended by multiple US business leaders. According to the CNBC website in the United States, approximately 15 to 20 US corporate CEOs will visit Modi during his trip, including Micron Technology, General Atomics, General Electronics, and Tesla. Before leaving the United States, Modi also plans to give a speech to Indian expatriates in the United States.

"China is definitely a strategic topic for this visit"

Both the US and India strongly emphasize the importance of Modi's visit. Reuters reported that Indian Foreign Secretary Kwatra told reporters on the 19th that "this is a milestone in our relationship," and an important achievement expected to be demonstrated is cooperation in the field of defense. India is seeking to produce more weapons and equipment domestically for its own use and export. "This is not a routine visit, it is a fundamental turning point in India US relations. It is not a matter of suppressing or opposing China, but rather about establishing a new balance of power in Asia," said Mohan, Senior Researcher at the Policy Research Institute of the Asia Association in New Delhi

"With China's rise, both India and the United States need each other, and the United States needs to have more partners in the Indo Pacific region." The Associated Press quoted Indian diplomat Mishra as saying on the 20th, "They can no longer fight alone because China is catching up with the United States, and China's economic scale is much larger than India's. Therefore, there is a consistency of geopolitical interests between the United States and India."

On the 20th, the Hindustan Times published an interview with US President's National Security Advisor Sullivan, stating that "the sky is the limit of India US relations, and the world will feel its impact." When asked about "to what extent concerns about China have driven the development of US India relations," Sullivan said that President Biden and Prime Minister Modi view US India relations more from an opportunity perspective than from a threat and challenge perspective. "This is not a geopolitical transaction or a stopgap measure against common threats." Nevertheless, China will definitely become a strategic topic for this state visit. ".

Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Sullivan Information Map

"The United States is playing the 'India card' against Russia and China," according to an article titled "Businessman" on the 20th. During Modi's visit, the main purpose of the United States is to put India on its side to confront Russia and China. For this, the United States can make many compromises, such as selling attack drones to India and reaching an agreement on joint production of fighter jet engines, including technology transfer. The United States hopes to persuade India to abandon traditional military cooperation with Russia and prove that the United States is a more promising partner with no further restrictions on Indian allies.

From "Non Alliance" to "Multi directional Alliance"

The Wall Street Journal published an exclusive interview with Modi on the 20th. According to reports, unlike the "non alignment" vision proposed by former Indian leader Nehru in the early stages of the Cold War, Modi's foreign policy is a "multi-directional alliance", which involves working with a series of global powers to advance India's interests, including those in conflict with each other. Modi's message is that India's role in global politics and its contribution to the world economy are enormous, and the era of India has arrived. He also hinted that India wants to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

In response to outside criticism of India's position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Modi said in an interview: "I don't think this criticism is widespread in the United States." "India's position is well known and fully understood." "Some people said that we are neutral. But we are not on the side of peace." He said that disputes should be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue rather than war.

According to the Associated Press, in 2021, Russian oil accounted for only 2% of India's annual crude oil imports, and this figure now exceeds 19%. According to Russell, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a US think tank, although the White House hopes that India will not continue to purchase Russian oil, it will not make this a decisive factor. Therefore, it will gently push India through "subtle and appropriate means.".

Zhao Gancheng, a researcher at the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, told Global Times on the 20th that Modi's main focus during his visit to the United States was military technology cooperation, which was a "tough move" by the United States to pull India over from Russia. Therefore, the relationship between Russia and India will face challenges in the future. India is unwilling to fully rely on the United States, but the benefits it has won't give up.

Russia is also concerned about this issue. On the 20th, Russian news agency reported that the United States hopes to keep India away from Russia or reduce India's dependence on Russia in the field of defense equipment. However, India has clearly stated its position on relations with Russia and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Currently, India's goal is to modernize its armed forces, and New Delhi will not abandon its relationship with Russia.