'Don't Let International Crisis Overshadow Indo-U.S. Ties'

According to the top American expert Modi's visit to the U.S. provides an opportunity to strengthen U.S.-India ties, which stagnated during the second term of Modi's predecessor, Manmohan Singh.

"During the visit, President Barack Obama should demonstrate the importance the U.S. attaches to the bilateral relationship and offer cooperation on economic, defense and security issues," she said.

The Obama Administration has at times relegated the relationship with India to a lower category of priority than it merits, but both sides have shown interest in moving beyond negative atmospherics and specific irritants, like the revocation of Modi's US visa and last year's arrest of a U.S.-based Indian diplomat, she noted.

She said the visit of the Indian Prime Minister would be "closely observed" by China and Japan, both of which recently held high-level bilateral interactions with Modi.

"It is important that the Obama, Modi summit demonstrate the strength of US, India ties at a time when the power dynamics in Asia are shifting," Curtis said.

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Modi-Obama Summit Can Take Ties To Next Level: U.S. Experts