Great Expectations From Modi's U.S. Visit


WASHINGTON: There are great expectations all around from the corridors of power in Washington to business circles to the Indian-American community from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark visit to the U.S.

When putting the past behind, President Barack Obama greets Modi, who had been denied a U.S. visa for nearly a decade, for a private dinner at the White House on the evening of Sep 29, the menu is expected to go much beyond just repairing a flagging relationship.

Obama, who has called India "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century" would like India to play a greater role in the region as the "U.S. continues to rebalance toward Asia as its importance grows for the US," as the American point person for South Asia Nisha Desai Biswal put it.

"Our relationship is founded on the principle that a strong India is in the U.S. interest. A consequential partnership in addressing challenges globally is not only in the U.S. interest, but also the global interest," the Indian-American official said previewing the Modi visit.

There may even be an attempt to rope in India in Obama's international coalition against the Islamic State terrorist group.

John McCain, his Republican rival in the 2008 presidential contest suggested as much recently. It's a proposal, Modi is expected to politely decline. In a speech at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, McCain also called for the U.S. and India to develop together maritime capabilities, including aircraft carriers. He also suggested a free trade agreement between the two countries.

This is likely to find greater resonance with India. US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, one of a trio of top secretaries to visit New Delhi in recent weeks to pave the way for the Obama-Modi summit, listed U.S.-India defence cooperation as a "top priority."
Read Also: The 10 Best Small Companies To Work For 2014
5 Billionaires Who Control Half Of India's Wealth

Source: IANS