India-US relations: News and Discussions IV

Vips · Post by **Vips** » 20 Jun 2023 03:26

US to make a fresh pitch for India to join IPEF trade talks.

The US may try to push India for a deeper engagement with the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and also join the trade part of negotiations in the 14-nation block during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to that country from June 21 to June 23, according to trade experts.

“On IPEF, India has been a bit wary. The US will expect India to participate more (in this US-led initiative) ,” international trade expert and former professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Biswajit Dhar said.

India has opted out of the trade part of the negotiations of the IPEF block which accounts for 40% of world’s GDP and 28% of world’s trade in goods and services. IPEF has 14 members – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, US, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The US launched IPEF to counter China’s influence in South-east Asia and South Asia. Apart from trade it is negotiating supply chains, clean energy, decarbonisation, infrastructure, tax and anti-corruption. Even in trade talks, tariffs are not being discussed. The economy of the size of India not participating fully in the US-led initiative has divested it of some heft.

Another trade issue that the US is expected to raise during the Prime Minister’s visit could be the wide trade balance in favour of India. “There may be a renewed push by the US for greater access to India’s agriculture markets for its selling products and agri-technologies like GM crops and seeds,” another trade analyst who did not wish to be identified, said.

India on its part may again raise the issue of additional taxes on exports of its steel and aluminium that the US has imposed, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Federation of Indian Export Organisations Ajay Sahai said. The US administration under Donald Trump had imposed 25% import duty on steel and 10% on aluminium in 2018 to check imports from China. It ended up impacting India also. Later steel and aluminium exports from the EU to the US were given exemption from this tax. India is seeking a similar deal.

While old issues around visas to Indian skilled professionals and Intellectual Property in the pharma sector may come up again, the most recent debate and issues around localisation of data which the US links to freedom to its technology companies to operate in India could figure prominently, he said.

After local data storage was made mandatory by the Reserve Bank of India for payment system providers most of the players in the sector have already complied with the norms but still some issues remain.

According to the US, for storing data locally, the US companies will have to invest in India which would increase their costs. The new Data Protection Bill being framed has raised some concerns among US technology companies on how to comply with the demands that the proposed law may put on them.

Another issue that bothers the US is Digital Service Tax (equalisation levy) imposed by India to ensure that digital service companies pay tax on their earnings from India. It is levied at 2% of revenues of digital platform services, digital content sales and data related services. The US wants India to align its digital tax system to the global tax framework, Sahai said.

New Delhi introduced the digital services tax in 2016 with a 6% levy on online advertising, and expanded it via the Finance Act 2020, with a 2% impost on payment for e-commerce supply of goods and services , provided for by non-resident operators.

India has its own issues on agriculture trade which includes sanitary and phyto-sanitary standards that the US imposes on its fruit and vegetable exports.

“We have our issues in the area of high-technology. We are not getting high technology products and technologies. The US is still not confident in sharing technology with India. There has been a lot of talk around technology cooperation but there is a gap in actual progress,” Dhar said.

The diversification of supply chains and the China plus strategy have been talked about but nothing is happening on the ground, he added.

Another issue that could be discussed is World Trade Organisation reforms and getting its appellate functional again, another trade analyst said. The US has blocked appointment of judges to the appellate body saying that it is involved in judicial activism and impinges on US sovereignty. Other India-US disputes at WTO like on duties on steel and solar that have been pending for long may also figure in talks.

“Trade is the strong pillar of our relationship. The US and India have a strong trade and investment partnership. Bilateral trade between the two countries is $200 billion,” external affairs secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said at a press conference on Monday.

sanman · Post by **sanman** » 20 Jun 2023 03:28

sanman · Post by **sanman** » 20 Jun 2023 05:26

is India's new Central Vista inspired by the layout of Washington's capitol region?

AkshaySG · Post by **AkshaySG** » 20 Jun 2023 06:20

I mean the DC Mall itself based on London's Mall which in turn has been a part of urban planning for a while now. A grand Avenue in a major city around which key governmental buildings are created along with monuments and memorials

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 20 Jun 2023 08:04

Sanman. NO. It is based on Sri Chakra. the triangle is Ma Pratyingara Devi Yantra.
Sad that Palki Sharma doesn't know that.

Ideally, we should build a new capital for the new Bharat but the quick fix is to alter Lootyens Delhi with a Dharmic architecture.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 20 Jun 2023 08:08

krithivas wrote:Quick summary is for state of relationship between India and US at best be transactional based on mutual interests (China threat), but no shared values. And the useless "backsliding in democracy, freedom, minority" from the echo chamber is used to substantiate the claim.

India as It Is, Washington and New Delhi Share Interests, Not Values
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/india/ma ... ted-states

All these experts are coming out of the woodwork. For a US Admin that was conducting FONOPS within a month of being sworn in, to this State visit by Modiji is a drastic change in the diplomatic timeline.

None of these gnanis are realizing that. And the SD is out of pocket.

To insult Modiji, Blinken went to China and got slapped.

It's the WH and the National Security Apparatus that are driving the change.
The UK thumb-sicking diplomats are sitting on them.
If Blinken has any gumption he will resign by November and not burden the administration that honored him with #3 spot.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 20 Jun 2023 08:09

Vayutuvan wrote:https://www.usip.org/people/daniel-markey-phd

Some GOTUS think tanky. $55 million budget coing from SDOTUS, DOD, USAID and Congressional budget office.

More here. They have a nice pad in Duplicity.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_St ... e_of_Peace

I rest my case.
SD is putting its bull(shi*t) terriers to bark before the Modiji State visit.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 20 Jun 2023 08:14

RaviB wrote:There is no question that China is our primary enemy over the next 20 years. USA can be the competitor from 2040 on and perhaps a counterpole from 2050 on.

There should not be any aversion on our part to have a cautious friendship with US, to help us counter China in the meantime.
There is a lot to learn from China itself. They promised friendship and a way to balance USSR to the Americans and implicitly a transition to democracy during the Nixon era. They profited heavily from it and now have become a near peer adversary. China had a lot more reason to distrust the USA back then (compared to India right now) but it was a strategically brilliant manoeuvre that has paid off great dividends for them. They would never have become near-peer without the pretense of harmless friendliness. There is no reason for us to not throw money and friendly words at USA and even have carefully calibrated democracy theater and such, while keeping the long term in sight.

Overt friendliness now, combined with a healthy distrust will get us quicker to the goal of becoming an equal of the US in the 2050-70 timeline. In the meantime it will help us balance China until demographic collapse removes them from the picture around 2050.

Between nations, there are permanent interests. No permanent friends or enemies.
UK despite being the best friend of the US has stabbed them often and vice versa.

It is amazing that the English don't extol the work of the "kern" who were peasants with long knives who stabbed the French Knight's horses at Agincourt! They only praise the long bow yeoman!

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 20 Jun 2023 08:55

ramana wrote:....

It is amazing that the English don't extol the work of the "kern" who were peasants with long knives who stabbed the French Knight's horses at Agincourt! They only praise the long bow yeoman!

Ramana ji, forgive my ignorance about medieval english history, but is that a class thing?

or just a glamour thing - like sharp looking fast fighters vs dull slow bombers

vsunder · Post by **vsunder** » 20 Jun 2023 17:55

^^^ Its a glamor thing and entered legend with Robin Hood. Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt are battles where the longbow played a decisive role. It was incumbent that all British men kept arms. The bows were made of yews.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_longbow

Much of Agincourt is colored by Shakespeare's play Henry V and the famous speech Henry delivers in the play on the eve of battle on St. Crispin's Day, "We band of Brothers..." that has also become the title of a docudrama on the 82nd Airborne.

https://poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/the- ... m-henry-v/

Eventually the longbow wielders became a class of society themselves, the yeoman:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeoman

And then a rank in the Navy.

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 20 Jun 2023 19:33

^ so bit of both.. and perhaps the variation they tried in India was the martial races stuff.

Thanks

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 20 Jun 2023 21:36

look at the scum who has been drafted for amriki weapon sales to India

a perfect house ni**er

sanjaykumar · Post by **sanjaykumar** » 21 Jun 2023 00:24

I guess he got inside information from Ukraine.

disha · Post by **disha** » 21 Jun 2023 05:04

RaviB wrote:There is no question that China is our primary enemy over the next 20 years. USA can be the competitor from 2040 on and perhaps a counterpole from 2050 on.

Any nation has to deal with realpolitik. Practical considerations always matter. One cannot be into Lehruvian panchsheelan and live in a la-la land.

Modiji is already talking about multi-polar world and Cheen, US, Russia, Germany, EU, Japan etc has to accept the fact that India is Hanuman. Still in the journey of discovering its own strengths. Some will accept it readily and some will do it grudgingly and some will ignore us at their own peril (Eg. Germany).

Till as a nation we discover our strength and confidence and our rightful place in the world, we have to continue with realpolitik. And bring all of Chanakyaniti into our dealings.

Yes, China is our primary enemy. Mao was stupid to break the trust with Indians and create an entire generation of enmity, for what? And eleven-ping-ping tried to carry Mao's legacy, second time as a farce. Even now, Cheen is helping pakistan based terrorists.

So yes, we have to figure out a way to deal with China. While doing so, we do not have to become the shoulder from which US fires its guns at China. At the same time US-India deepened partnership holds great potential for both the nations.

Here, US is still stuck in the "great game" and "zero-win" mentality. US needs to get out of its mindset of trying to find leverages to achieve its policy goals, instead of being schizophrenic.

If I were to call out US foreign policy as I see it, its schizophrenic.

Here is another unnecessary needling from the democrats:

21 Jun 2023, 02:25:19 AM IST
Biden urged to raise rights issues with PM Modi
Dozens of Democrat lawmakers urged US President Joe Biden to raise human rights issues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Washington this week, Reuters reported

A total of 75 Democratic senators and members of the House of Representatives signed the a letter, sent to the White House on Tuesday.

"We do not endorse any particular Indian leader or political party — that is the decision of the people of India — but we do stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy," said the letter, led by Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Pramila Jayapal

Next time when the likes of Obama or Biden (or a Prez from the Democrat establishment) visits India, the press should ask question about the fentanyl crisis and sheer homelessness in US cities.

I would put out a statement like:

Indians do not endorse any particular US leader or political party - that is the decision of the people of US - but we do want to ask if US stands for the important principles on which it was founded? That is., Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. And, they must grant citizenship to those humans who are toiling day and night for the betterment of the US, contributing to its economy and its scientific and technical prowess legally for so far US is imposing taxes on them without their Consent.

sanjaykumar · Post by **sanjaykumar** » 21 Jun 2023 05:58

All politics is local.

disha · Post by **disha** » 21 Jun 2023 06:25

Indigo purchasing 500 Airbus is a great signal. India is currently the 3rd largest aviation market and can surpass US aviation by 2030. So does US aircraft companies want to be part of one of the fastest growing aviation market in the world?

US-India relationship has the potential to define the next phase of humanity for the next couple of generations and it has to go beyond single point US agenda of targeting particular countries for pax-americana.

Does the US Congressman/woman have the vision? Or are the likes of Pramila Jaypals and Chris Van continue to holler "hooman rights" like a broken record while pretending to be woke? This is more a challenge to US to go beyond its blinkers and reshape the relations in a positive way for generations to come.

RoyG · Post by **RoyG** » 21 Jun 2023 06:39

disha,

The vision isn't shaped by bureaucrats as much as it is by the oligarchs who they serve. They saw what happened with China. Japan and SK are slowly drifting a bit as well. At the end of the day, the biggest gift that India can receive to become competitive and surpass the others is to create conditions within the country for r&d, innovation, and hi-tech manufacturing. Otherwise, we'll just continue to run to the white man in hopes of striking deals. If history has taught us anything, don't trust them or anyone for that matter. but especially them.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 21 Jun 2023 07:04

The 75 Congressmen and Senators are not following the US Constitution.
Foreign policy is US President's domain since George Wasjington.
The state visit is a reassertion.of Presidential powers.
In fact even State Dept is sidelined as they are not helping Presidential policy.

I will be bold to say this visit is to preserve US power till next century by ensuring India can divert China. It's a classic containment strategy.
These caterwhauling Congressmen don't know the stakes.

chanakyaa · Post by **chanakyaa** » 21 Jun 2023 08:33

Indigo purchasing 500 Airbus is a great signal. India is currently the 3rd largest aviation market and can surpass US aviation by 2030. So does US aircraft companies want to be part of one of the fastest growing aviation market in the world?
...

Tata/Air India have already placed a very large order for Boeing
Tata's Air India to seal half of jumbo plane order

Air India will on Friday seal half of an order for some 495 jets with Boeing (BA.N) and engine suppliers General Electric (GE.N) and CFM International, industry sources said, as its new owner seeks to revive the airline and compete with larger rivals.
...

disha · Post by **disha** » 21 Jun 2023 12:45

Chanakyaa'ji, I am aware of the Air India order where ~250 plans were ordered from Boeing. I am sure the bean counters at Boeing would be looking at the Indigo deal and wondering if they could have cornered another ~250 planes instead of seeing the entire order go to Airbus.

And Boeing has Seattle roots. Pramila Jaypal represents Seattle. When Boeing moved its HQ out of Seattle, there was lot of consternation. I hope Boeing sends Pramila a memo on doing something to *not* lose future orders of other airlines from India.

Here is something I found: One of the biggest corporate donor to Pramila Jayapal (other than microsoft) is Valve corporation. https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of- ... =N00038858.

Valve corporation (or Valve Software) is a Bellevue, WA based gaming company (Bellevue is near Seattle) and guess where does more than 50% of Valve software's revenue comes from? It comes from China! And valve's partner subsidiary in China is Steam. Steam is owned by son of a chinese military jernail.

The janampatri of Chris Van Hollen is even more interesting. Chris Van Hollen was born in Karachi, Pakistan. And also did his schooling in India. Chris Van Hollen is anti-Hindu and anti-India (yeah he is Democrat from Maryland). He claimed that Indian government denied him a visit to Cashmere.

Now Sen. Chris Van Hollen's father, that is Chris Van Hollen Sr. was in India in 1950s and here are the senior Chris Van Hollen's views:

Q: From 1954-55, you were in Delhi and from 1955-58 you were in Calcutta. How did you
get into the Indian circuit?
VAN HOLLEN: I became interested in India because of the belief in that period that this
country, in its early independence days, would become an increasingly important power in
Asia. India began under the strong leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru as the Prime Minister.
India played an important role in the non-aligned movement which was important in
those days with Nehru, Sukarno of Indonesia, Nasser of Egypt and Tito of Yugoslavia
as the major leaders. I was drawn to India by what I anticipated would be the emerging
importance of India internationally. This did not turn out to be the case. I would say that
India's role internationally, and India's position in U.S. foreign policy priorities, has not
been as high as I had anticipated in the mid-50s. There were people during that period—
Chester Bowles, in particular, who was twice Ambassador to India— who put a great deal
of emphasis on India's international importance and who saw India as a key competitor
to the Peoples Republic of China. They emphasized the need for the U.S. to take into
account India's global importance, not just its regional role. Chester Bowles exaggerated
this importance and, in the eyes of many, India has not achieved the international role that
it aspired to in the 1950s or others had expected of it.

So Chris Van Hollen Jr. does have a chip on his shoulder. BTW, Chris Van Hollen Jr.s mother was a CIA officer. Do read it out here at https://memory.loc.gov/service/mss/mfdi ... 4van02.pdf

g.sarkar · Post by **g.sarkar** » 21 Jun 2023 15:00

PM Modi का अमेरिका में भव्य स्वागत| 3 Anti India Forces TEAM UP Against Visit| Utsav Chakrabarti

This talks about the forces lined up against Modiji, the state visit and the weakness of President Biden. Pramila Jayapal, Khalistanis and the three Islamic forces from around the Washington DC area are mentioned. It seems many protesters are being bussed into the area.
Gautam

sanman · Post by **sanman** » 21 Jun 2023 15:18

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 21 Jun 2023 16:25

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 21 Jun 2023 16:39

disha wrote:
A total of 75 Democratic senators and members of the House of Representatives signed the a letter, sent to the White House on Tuesday.

"We do not endorse any particular Indian leader or political party — that is the decision of the people of India — but we do stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy," said the letter, led by Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Pramila Jayapal

And, what the heck is that 'core American Foreign Policy'?

The core part of American policy from Monroe Doctrine up until now is using military power, using nukes, Agent Orange, napalm bombs, cluster munitions, depleted Uranium shells against civilians, supporting terrorists & coup leaders, encouraging jihadism, encouraging illegal regime change, etc etc.

RaviB · Post by **RaviB** » 21 Jun 2023 18:14

sanman wrote:
RaviB wrote:There is no question that China is our primary enemy over the next 20 years. USA can be the competitor from 2040 on and perhaps a counterpole from 2050 on.
Why only next 20 years? You feel China's going to magically fall apart after that? Because of demographics?

Overt friendliness now, combined with a healthy distrust will get us quicker to the goal of becoming an equal of the US in the 2050-70 timeline. In the meantime it will help us balance China until demographic collapse removes them from the picture around 2050.
I think that even as China's demography declines, it will still continue to be a serious threat to us. They'll have more nuclear weapons, they'll still have a relatively large military - certainly larger than Pakistan's - and will have an advanced air force and navy.

If you look at China's projected population for 2050, they will have approximately 50 million men between 20-30 years old. I would say that this is the cohort their military would primarily have to be drawn from. If you think of an armed strength of 1 million, this is 2% of this population. It is highly unlikely that this would be feasible, especially because of the high dependency ratio, so a drop in the army strength is guaranteed. In terms of territorial conflict, I think it is unlikely that the importance of infantry in holding ground is likely to disappear. Maybe unmanned drones and robots take over by then but it's unlikely. So ultimately they will have to reduce the number of soldiers, maybe focus on navy and air force, which will continue to be a challenge for India.

Very big BUT, they go for a Taiwan invasion, in which case they will suffer massive losses and be overstretched. If they lose, they lose soldiers and kit. If they win, they will need PLA stationed in Taiwan and kit. Regardless of what happens, smaller threat to us. And they will bankrupt themselves with the expenses unless Uncle Sam plays along.

With a decline in working age population will also come a decline in GDP, there will be less money to spend.

The projected numbers are based on official data, which are almost certainly overstated. The fertility rate is declining even faster than before, so the number of young people will decline. This is just a back of the envelope kind of calculation but still the demographics are headed in that direction, maybe the collapse happens in 2045, maybe in 2055, depends on past fudging and future developments.

China's projected population pyramid https://www.populationpyramid.net/china/2050/

China's fertility rate change, notice the lack of effect of policy changes. Things won't improve for them

disha · Post by **disha** » 21 Jun 2023 23:21

This is a momentous visit of Modi to US for US and India.

I am glad that Pres. Joe Biden came out with the following statement:

Biden said at a campaign fundraising event on Tuesday that Xi had not known about an alleged spy balloon that flew over the US this year. The incident sent bilateral ties plunging to the lowest point in decades.

“That’s what’s a great embarrassment for dictators, when they didn’t know what happened,” the US president told about 130 supporters at a gathering at a private home in California.

https://www.ft.com/content/4cb89f5a-fb0 ... 8e496926e8

Personal note: I am so glad Joe Biden called out Eleven ping ping. Particularly after Blinken did a painful gubo to Xi.

disha · Post by **disha** » 21 Jun 2023 23:37

SSridhar wrote:
disha wrote:
And, what the heck is that 'core American Foreign Policy'?

The core part of American policy from Monroe Doctrine up until now is using military power

I had Ohio sized buckeyes when I read the above statement from the caterwauling Dem CONgressman/CONgresswoman. I think I can now understand why those dems were caterwauling.

Chris Van Hallen is a baki and is more interested in Cashmere and he is upset that he was denied entry into Cashmere. Chris Sr. has some bones w.r.t being on the wrong side of the '71 war and some grudges there.

Pramila Jayapal is a Cheeni Chorporate toolkit. Her most campaign funds come from companies like Valve which have most revenues coming from Cheen and Amazon which is upset with India and Modi (please check out ONDC]

disha · Post by **disha** » 22 Jun 2023 00:25

ramana wrote:
The 75 Congressmen and Senators are not following the US Constitution.

I agree and I am going one step further. The Caterwauling CheeniChorporate (CCP) congressmen and senators are against the very spirit of US declaration of independence.

The declaration of independence was a very thought through document and it clearly states the following:

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed

and

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

Each of the above from declaration of independence has been violated by US SD and the current caterwauling congress letter is a violation of core of the spirit of US declaration of independence.

The above spirit is always extended to countries which has thriving democracy. I hope the congresswoman and congressman writing the letter preaching "hooman rights" to India really read and understand the declaration of independence. And what is at stake here.

In fact even State Dept is sidelined as they are not helping Presidential policy.

The world is changing fast. Very fast and a new world order has been created. The US SD is still driving forward while looking into rearview mirror.

BTW, Anti-Hindu & Anti-India Illu Omar hijabi has announced that she will *not* be attending Modi speech. I think there is a lord Hanuman-bhakt in Modi's entourage, since "bhoot-pisach nikat nahi ave, mahavir jab nam sunave". That is "bhoot-pisach" like Illu Omar hijabi will not come near while mahavir (Lord Hanuman)'s name is uttered (or remembered).

Y I Patel · Post by **Y I Patel** » 22 Jun 2023 00:36

I’m hoping EAM uses this high profile visit for some of his trademark surgical strikes. Some level of aggression is required against the like of Jaichand. Sorry Jaipal

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 22 Jun 2023 02:17

Sorry, on a very low baud connection.

As we extend a warm welcome to Prime Minister Modi, it is crucial that the Biden Administration, and the U.S. Congress, prioritize this incredibly important relationship. Our nations’ economic and security interests overlap on many of the most pressing issues, especially the growing hostility of the Chinese Communist Party in the Himalayas and in the Indian Ocean. We find ourselves at a new juncture in global history in which both India and the United States can further strengthen this vital partnership and build upon the foundation of our shared democratic values and national interests.” – Senator Rubio

bala · Post by **bala** » 22 Jun 2023 07:14

PM Modi first address to the US Congress 7 yrs ago, well delivered, a great speech, most appropriate and he has everyone clapping on their feet and giving a standing ovation. A crystal clear confident talk representing the finer aspects of the two great nations and their budding relationship. And then a great emphatic no-nonsense denunciation of terrorism from the neighbour to the west. Swami Vivekananda addressing World Parliament of religions in 1893 and now PM Modi..

g.sarkar · Post by **g.sarkar** » 22 Jun 2023 08:40

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/20/india/in ... index.html'
How Modi went from being banned to embraced by the United States
Rhea Mogul, CNN, June 20, 2023
......
But while the ceremonies and diplomatic niceties play out in Washington, analysts say Modi’s visit will also be a test for the Biden administration, that has positioned itself as a democratic protector in an increasingly populist and polarized era, while seemingly turning a blind eye to New Delhi’s alleged human rights abuses playing out at home.
Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has come under scrutiny from rights groups and opposition lawmakers for its increasingly strident brand of Hindu nationalist politics and an ongoing crackdown on dissent. Pressure is growing for Biden, who views India as a critical regional partner, to address those concerns in some way during Modi’s visit.
But analysts say criticism is unlikely given India’s growing leverage in the Indo-Pacfic, as well as its 5 million strong diaspora in the US – among the country’s largest immigrant groups and its fastest growing voting bloc.
Daniel S. Markey, senior adviser, South Asia, for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), said Washington sees India as “a strategic swing state in a world order increasingly defined by competition between the US and China,” adding that human rights concerns have “generally taken a back seat” to geopolitics.
“But I believe they are still relevant, or should be,” Markey said. “If only because India’s deteriorating democracy will on balance make it a more challenging and less effective US partner.”
“The visit is a test because Biden should not look to be embracing Modi’s authoritarian policies,” he added.
“The goal for the White House, in my view, should be to embrace relations with India without personalizing the relationship or endorsing Modi’s politics. That is a tough needle to thread.”
A challenge for Washington
Modi’s US trip is the latest in a slew of diplomatic engagements he has undertaken in recent weeks, and Washington is not the only Western nation to have rolled out the red carpet.
Last month, he met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney, who eulogized Modi as a rockstar, called the leader a “boss” and spoke of how he had strengthened Australia’s democracy.
Before that, Modi was in Papua New Guinea, where he met with Prime Minister James Marape and pledged his support for the Pacific Islands, a region that China has also increased outreach to.
Days earlier, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Japan – the first time they had come face-to-face since Russia’s invasion began.
Markey said this is symbolic of how Modi has prioritized “winning accolades from other democratic leaders in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”
Such engagements “serve Modi’s political purposes in India,” he added.
“His supporters are encouraged by the respect he wins on the world stage, while his critics are demoralized because their concerns aren’t taken seriously in other democracies,” Markey said.
Last week, Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the White House to put rights concerns at “the center” of the Modi-Biden summit.
“Modi and Biden should jointly acknowledge human rights challenges – both in India and the US – and agree to address them,” said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director for the group, in a statement.
HRW and Amnesty International have invited policymakers to a screening of the BBC documentary that questioned Modi’s leadership during deadly sectarian riots in 2002 in Gujarat, when he was chief minister of the western Indian state.
.....
Gautam
Added later: Neither (Visa) banning nor flattery has worked with Modiji in the past. This sets him apart from other Indian PMs including Mr. Nehru or Mrs. Indira Gandhi. He has no dynasty to establish. What else is there to dangle before him? The Nobel Peace Prize? Sleepy Joe is politically weak and I do not expect him to accomplish much in this meeting with Modiji. Can Sleepy Joe just give and Modi just take? We shall see.

g.sarkar · Post by **g.sarkar** » 22 Jun 2023 08:57

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... ndia-china
‘India is now a linchpin’: US looks to Narendra Modi’s visit to counter China
The Biden administration will try to strengthen US-India ties while the Indian leader looks to shore up votes for next year’s election
Hannah Ellis-Petersen, South Asia correspondent, Wed 21 Jun 2023
The symbolism of the visit will be hard to avoid. As Narendra Modi arrives in Washington DC on Wednesday – the capital of a country he was once prohibited from visiting for almost 10 years – he will join the ranks of Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Volodymyr Zelenskiy as one of the few leaders to address a joint session of Congress more than once.
Statements from US officials ahead of the visit have been rapturous on the subject of US-India relations, praising the “significant defence partnership” and describing it as “a unique connection between the world’s oldest and largest democracies”. Before his departure from India, Modi said: “This special invitation is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between our democracies.”
Yet this trip – Modi’s sixth to the US since he came to power in 2014 but the first where a full state dinner will be given in his honour – is expected to yield more than good optics for the Indian prime minister. Many expect it to further crystallise ties between two countries and boost a relationship that has been on an upwards trajectory for two decades – even as they remain fundamentally opposed on several key issues. Defence, technology, security, AI, telecoms, visas, manufacturing and space are all said to be on the table. Meanwhile, the issues of the erosion of democracy in India and the shrinking space for dissent and civil society under Modi are unlikely to be discussed in depth.
Now the world’s most populous country – with 1.4 billion people and rising – and the world’s fifth largest economy, India’s growing prominence, both economically and geopolitically, makes it a country that the Biden administration – like those of Trump, Obama and Bush before it – could not ignore. Yet most experts say that it is China that has been the fundamental driver of this growing alliance; and as Modi touches down in DC, mutual concerns over Beijing’s aggressive, expansionist agenda have never been more acute.
Since Modi last visited the US in 2019, when Donald Trump was in the White House, China’s actions along its 2,100-mile (3,500km) border with India have become increasingly antagonistic. In 2020, the two sides came the closest they had been to war in 70 years when troops clashed along the Himalayan border in Ladakh, killing dozens of soldiers, after Chinese troops encroached on land typically patrolled by India. Since then, China has built up vast amounts of infrastructure along disputed territory and shown little desire to disengage in key areas of contention.
This has coincided with a shift in Washington’s relationship with China, from that of strategic competitor to rival or outright threat that must be deterred and contained. The bipartisan consensus is that India is a crucial geopolitical, and even economic, counterweight to China’s dominance in the Indo-Pacific region.
“In Washington, the hope is to build out an extended framework of deterrence to try and keep China in check,” said Milan Vaishnav, director of the south Asia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “Both geographically as well as strategically and economically, India has become a linchpin in this framework.”
his geopolitical alignment over China – which also drove the formation of the Quad, a security grouping of India, the US, Australia and Japan – has led to an unprecedented flourishing of security and defence cooperation between the US and India. There has been increased intelligence sharing and joint military exercises in the Himalayas close to the China border, and Modi’s US visit is expected to yield several defence deals for surveillance technology and drones.
India has embraced Washington’s new willingness to share its advanced technology and cyber resources, given that its own technological advancements have lagged far behind China’s. Modi will be hoping to close a landmark deal allowing US giant General Electric to produce jet engines in India, to power Indian military aircraft. It will be the first time such a collaboration on military technology has taken place, sending a clear message to China.
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Gautam

KL Dubey · Post by **KL Dubey** » 22 Jun 2023 10:01

bala wrote:PM Modi address to the US Congress, well delivered, a great speech,

This is from 2015

KL Dubey · Post by **KL Dubey** » 22 Jun 2023 10:04

https://youtu.be/lN-zysQWd-4

Bhaidanwa's wife has prepared quite a romantic dinner for Modi saar. She waxes eloquent.

Kunwaare PM sahib ko line to nahi maar rahi? Kya pata Bhaidanwa kitni jaldi 100% naakaam ho jaye.

bala · Post by **bala** » 22 Jun 2023 10:09

KL Dubey wrote: This is from 2015

Oops. yes you are right. I need to edit my post.

g.sarkar · Post by **g.sarkar** » 22 Jun 2023 10:22

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/21/busi ... he-us.html
Business Leaders Join Biden in Welcoming Modi to the U.S.
India’s fast-growing economy is drawing American corporate giants, even as the country faces scrutiny over ties to Russia and limits on political freedoms.
Andrew Ross Sorkin, Ravi Mattu, Bernhard Warner, Sarah Kessler, Michael J. de la Merced, Lauren Hirsch and Ephrat Livni
June 21, 2023
Biden rolls out the red carpet for Modi and business is watching
The White House is rolling out the red carpet for Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, with a state dinner on Thursday. High on the agenda: Talks to strengthen economic and security ties as the Biden administration cultivates partners to counter China. Business is watching closely, too, as it pours money into one of the world’s fastest-growing big economies despite the challenges of operating there.
Elon Musk is on board. The Tesla and SpaceX C.E.O. met Mr. Modi in New York on Tuesday and said India had more promise than any other big country. Enticed by the country’s sustainable energy potential, Mr. Musk said he hoped his electric carmaker could start doing business there “as soon as humanly possible.”
India is booming. Mr. Modi has cannily managed to stay in the good graces of the West and Russia since the Kremlin declared war on Ukraine. It has been a huge beneficiary of cheap Russian oil, which, in turn, has made it a high-growth, (relatively) low-inflation standout on the world stage.
Investors have flocked to the country, as have commercial giants. And, its I.P.O. market is strong, thanks to a vibrant entrepreneurial scene and tech sector.
But Mr. Musk made no mention of India’s pressure on one of his other companies. Twitter’s co-founder Jack Dorsey accused India of trying to shut down the platform in the country in 2020-21 — before Mr. Musk bought it — for refusing to remove content critical of the government. The government has denied that accusation but India has plummeted in democracy rankings.
Big questions abound about India, Inc. Apple has expanded production in the country but the transition is reportedly off to a rocky start. According to The Financial Times, the iPhone maker was seeing factory defect rates soar this year compared with its manufacturing output in China.
And a short-seller attack by Hindenburg Research on Adani Group, a sprawling Indian conglomerate founded by a close ally of Mr. Modi, has raised concerns about crony capitalism and less-than-transparent accounting standards. The Adani Group denies the accusations.
None of this is hitting Mr. Modi’s popularity at home. A secret to that is his iron grip on the flow of information. As The Times’s Mujib Mashal reports, “This is particularly true of broadcast media — large parts of the nightly news consist of anchors declaring Mr. Modi’s greatness and defending him against any criticism.”
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Gautam

g.sarkar · Post by **g.sarkar** » 22 Jun 2023 10:38

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65947363
Modi US visit: Why Washington is rolling out the red carpet for Indian PM
Vikas Pandey, BBC News, Delhi, 21/6/2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US has assumed huge significance amid global economic and geopolitical headwinds.
The White House is pulling out all the stops to welcome Mr Modi - it's a state visit, the highest level of diplomatic protocol the US accords to visiting leaders. Mr Modi will be given a ceremonial welcome at the White House on Thursday before he holds direct talks with President Joe Biden.
Then there is the state dinner, a meeting with CEOs, an address to a joint session of Congress and speeches to Indian-Americans, which have been highlights of Mr Modi's past US visits.
All this for a leader once denied a visa to travel to the US because of concerns over human rights - now the US sees Mr Modi as a crucial partner.
Behind the carefully crafted ceremonies lie discussions that have the potential to not only infuse new energy into India-US relations but also have an impact on the global order.
The Indo-Pacific is where the US possibly needs India's influence more than anywhere else right now. The US has long viewed India as a counterbalance to China's growing influence in the region, but Delhi has never been fully comfortable with owning the tag.
It may still be reluctant to do so but China continues to be one of the main catalysts driving India-US relations.
But India has not shied away from taking decisions that irk China. It held a military drill with US forces last year in Uttarakhand state, which shares a Himalayan border with China. Delhi has also continued to actively participate in the Quad - which also includes the US, Australia and Japan - despite angry reactions from Beijing.
Indian diplomacy has been getting more assertive about saying that this is the country's moment on the global stage. It has good reason - India is one of the few economic bright spots in the world right now.Geopolitics is also in its favour - most countries want a manufacturing alternative to China, and India also has a huge market with a burgeoning middle class. This makes it a good option for countries and global firms pursuing a China plus one policy.
Tanvi Madan, director of The India Project at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, says that what matters to the US is what India does and not what it publicly says about China.
"At the end of the day, whether or not India has publicly embraced the tag, it is very clear that Indian governments have seen the US relationship as helpful as they deal with China," she said.
Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center think-tank in Washington, added that the two countries had now started "seeing eye to eye on the broader Indo-Pacific theatre".
"We are starting to see the US recognise the importance of western components of the Indian Ocean region. For many years, India's main concern, for good reason, was the Indian Ocean region. Whereas for the US, it was the Pacific and the South China Sea. They will look at maritime security for the region now," he said.
The joint statement may not mention China directly but it will be high on the agenda as the two leaders discuss ways to consolidate their presence in the Indo-Pacific.
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Gautam
CNN, the Guardian, the NYT, the BBC all say practically the same thing. It is as if they have consulted each other before writing about the PM's visit.

drnayar · Post by **drnayar** » 22 Jun 2023 11:00

Gautam
CNN, the Guardian, the NYT, the BBC all say practically the same thing. It is as if they have consulted each other before writing about the PM's visit.[/quote]

Indeed why are we not surprised!!..they are part of western (dis) information network

g.sarkar · Post by **g.sarkar** » 22 Jun 2023 11:09

I am surprised that I am not surprised, Alhamdulillah.
Gautam