U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the partnership between their two democracies would shape the course of the next century.
The United States and India signed significant agreements including deals on fighter-jet engines, semiconductor investment, and space cooperation, highlighting the warm reception provided by Biden to Modi.
The two leaders met on June 22 at the White House as Washington seeks a counterbalance to China and disregards accusations of increasing authoritarianism in New Delhi. The visit is significant for Modi, who was once denied a visa to the United States for his role in religious riots in his home state.
Lavish state dinner and plant-based menu
In Washington, Prime Minister Modi received a lavish welcome and addressed a joint session of Congress. President Biden and first lady Jill Biden also hosted a state dinner for India’s leader at the White House. Modi, who is a vegetarian, and the 400 invited guests were served an entirely plant-based meal alongn. The menu included a salad of marinated millet, corn and compressed watermelon, stuffed Portobello mushrooms and saffron risotto, and strawberry shortcake.
The night before the official state dinner, the Bidens hosted Modi for a private dinner where they had the president’s favorite foods, including pasta and ice cream.
‘Defining partnership’
Welcoming Prime Minister Modi at the White House, U.S. President Biden said: “I have long believed that the relationship between the U.S. and India will be one of the most defining relationships of the 21st century.” He added that “the challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together.”
Welcome to the White House, Mr. Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/s21bVNqcGp
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 22, 2023
Modi said that the visit brought a “new direction and new energy” to the partnership with the United States. Addressing both chambers of Congress, Modi backed a “free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific”.
While Modi refrained from directly naming China, he expressed his concerns about the Indo-Pacific region. “The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific,” Modi said adding that “The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership.”
Meeting with U.S. tech leaders
The CEOs of Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft were among the high-profile tech and business leaders who attended a dinner held for Prime Minister Modi. Apple CEO Tim Cook said that India represents a “huge opportunity.” This year, Apple opened two retail stores in India. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who was also in Washington, reportedly discussed opportunities to collaborate on AI with India. Earlier in the week, Modi met with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
Defense and tech agreements signed
The United States and India signed several agreements this week including major defense and technology in a clear indication that the Biden administration plans to deepen ties with India to counter China’s ambitions in Asia. Both sides signed agreements on semiconductors, critical minerals, technology, space and defense cooperation.
- MoU signed between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture GE F-414 jet engines in India, for the HAL Light Combat Aircraft Mk 2.
- India plans to procure General Atomics MQ-9B HALE UAVs. The MQ-9Bs, which will be assembled in India, will enhance the ISR capabilities of India’s armed forces across domains.
- Micron Technology will invest up to $825 million to build a new semiconductor assembly and test facility in India.
- Applied Materials to invest $400 million to establish a collaborative engineering center in India.
- NASA and ISRO to develop a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023. NASA to provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
- India’s VSK Energy will invest up to $1.5 billion to develop a new, vertically integrated solar panel manufacturing operation in the United States. India’s JSW Steel USA’s plans to invest $120 million at its Mingo Junction, Ohio, steel plant to better serve growing markets in the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors.
- Two Joint Task Forces on advanced telecommunications, focused on Open RAN and research and development in 5G/6G technologies, to be led by India’s Bharat 6G Alliance and the U.S. Next G Alliance.
- Establishment of a joint Indo-U.S. Quantum Coordination Mechanism to facilitate collaboration among industry, academia, and government.
Concluding a very special USA visit, where I got to take part in numerous programmes and interactions aimed at adding momentum to the India-USA friendship. Our nations will keep working together to make our planet a better place for the coming generations. pic.twitter.com/UmATOH3acd
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 24, 2023
Modi meets Blinken
United States Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted a luncheon for the Indian prime minister on the last day of his visit.
Biden said that the United States and India have come closer over the past decades, and that the relationship has transformed during the last two and a half years. “We are working closer together on more issues than ever before. From semiconductors to space, from education to food security. The energy, ambition, and potential of our cooperation is boundless.” He concurred with Modi who said that the U.S. and India have become indispensable partners.
Honored to host the State Luncheon for Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi. Our relationship with India is anchored in mutual understanding and enriched by the warm bonds of family and friendship that inextricably link our countries together. pic.twitter.com/cBzL6MLPWg
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) June 24, 2023
Speaking at the luncheon, VP Harris said: “As I travel the world as vice president, I have seen India’s global impact firsthand. In South East Asia, India-made vaccines saved lives and livelihoods. On the continent of Africa, India’s long-standing partnerships support prosperity and security. Throughout the Indo-Pacific, India helps promote a free and open region.” In her speech, she also mentioned India’s “extraordinary impact with regard to innovation, medicine, and science.”
Harris’s mother, a researcher, arrived in the United States at the age of 19 and went to study at the University of California, Berkeley, where she received her doctorate in nutrition and endocrinology.
India’s global engagement has been not only to the benefit of the people of India, but also to the people of America and people all over the world.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) June 24, 2023
Together, our nations and our people will continue the fight for progress and continue to serve the greater good. pic.twitter.com/6zXxZShMfD
Speech boycott as Modi accused of undermining democracy
Modi’s state visit has sparked anger among human rights advocates who hold him responsible for numerous attacks targeting Muslims and other minority groups in India.
Several liberal House Democrats staged a boycott of Modi’s speech to Congress, citing their strong opposition to what they call an abysmal human rights record.
“We must never sacrifice human rights at the altar of political expediency,” Representatives Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Cori Bush of Missouri, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, and Jamaal Bowman of New York wrote in the joint statement.
Prime Minister Modi’s government has repressed religious minorities, emboldened violent Hindu nationalist groups, and targeted journalists/human rights advocates with impunity.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) June 20, 2023
I will NOT be attending Modi’s speech.
“A joint address is among the most prestigious invitations and honors the United States Congress can extend. We should not do so for individuals with deeply troubling human rights records — particularly for individuals whom our own State Department has concluded engaged in systematic human rights abuses of religious minorities and caste-oppressed communities” Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Democrat of New York, who also boycotted Modi’s speech, wrote in a statement that she tweeted out Wednesday evening.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will boycott Prime Minister Modi’s joint address to Congress. pic.twitter.com/DICpt7StvF
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) June 21, 2023
However, during the joint news conference with President Biden, Modi firmly maintained that there was no discrimination in India and emphasized that democracy was deeply ingrained in the country’s DNA. “Democracy is our spirit, democracy runs in our veins – we live democracy,” he said, speaking through an interpreter. “There’s absolutely no space for discrimination,” Modi insisted.
India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)
On June 21, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Indian Ministry of Defense launched the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) at an event hosted by the U.S.-India Business Council. More than 30 U.S. and Indian startups, as well as government, business, and academic leaders, joined the summit to discuss and advance cutting-edge technology cooperation between the two countries.
The DoD statement said that the “INDUS-X will vitalize our defense industrial cooperation and unlock new innovations in technology and manufacturing.” The statement added that the initiative “will create jobs for working families in both countries and promote global peace, security, and prosperity.” U.S. and Indian officials said that INDUS-X will catalyze innovation and help equip both countries’ armed forces with advanced capabilities.
DoD and @India_iDEX launched the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) at @USIBC today to accelerate collaboration and innovation between U.S. and Indian defense ecosystems. https://t.co/v85wEcD9cy
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) June 22, 2023
