PRIME Minister Narendra Modi’s June 21-24 State visit to the United States not only strengthened the bond between the two countries but also underlined the growing importance of the South Asian power in the West.
PM Modi became the first Indian premier to address the Congress twice. A State banquet at the White House is also not a common event – he is only the third to get one during President Joe Biden’s time. He even had a private dinner with the President and First Lady Jill Biden.
Major takeaways
Among major takeaways from the visit was the US pledge for easier renewal of H1B visas for Indians and setting up of more consulates.
Another significant outcome was India signing the Artemis Accords. Under this, NASA will provide advanced training to ISRO and Indian astronauts in a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024.
PM Modi also interacted with top business leaders, industrialists, CEOs and thought leaders. A number of leading US companies have pledged investments in India in critical sectors, such as semiconductors and defence capabilities.
Among the deals included India’s procurement of 31 armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones and a historical agreement with General Electric to produce fighter jet engines in India.
Other areas of positive outcomes included Micron Technology’s $825 million investment in a chip assembly unit in Gujarat, India’s inclusion in the Minerals Security Partnership amd solar panel maker Vikram Solar’s $1.5 billion investment in the US.
A new phase
The statements, the visuals, the vibes, all pointed to India-US ties entering a new phase; with vibrant, cohesive, and mutually beneficial relations.
President Biden called the moment a defining relationship of the 21st century. PM Modi had observed that the relationship between the world’s largest democracy and the oldest democracy would have been hard to imagine even a decade ago.
The leaders set the mood for camaraderie and partnership with a warm embrace.
Although PM Modi has visited the US several times since becoming Prime Minister, this was his first State visit. He began this visit by leading International Yoga Day celebrations at the UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday, June 21. The event created a Guinness World Record as people from many nationalities participated in the session.
Wherever he went, the Prime Minister was greeted by enthusiastic crowds.
