A Year Of 'Modification' In India-U.S. Ties

In the end it just took a May 16 congratulatory phone call from President Barack Obama to Modi on the BJP's "success in India's historic election" with an invitation to visit Washington "to further strengthen our bilateral relationship" to cut the visa knot.

As a somewhat wary US began wooing Modi in right earnest with Obama again calling Modi the day he took up the mantle of prime minister with a pledge to work closely together with him "for years to come", the media also discovered a 'new fashion icon' in him.

Defying prophets of doom, Modi reciprocated in equal measure and came calling in September-end for what he himself later called a "hugely successful journey", hitting it off with Obama, hard selling India to big business and wowing Indian-Americans.

Breaking the ice at a 'warm' White House dinner, a fasting Modi, sipping warm water and talking yoga, and an indulgent Obama vowed to "chalein saath saath - together we go forward" to realise the full potential of a renewed U.S.-India partnership.

If Modi promised to take their stalled landmark civil nuclear deal forward and invited U.S. defence companies to invest in India, the US committed to make joint and concerted efforts with India to dismantle terrorist safe havens, including four Pakistan-based groups.

With Modi promising a more business-friendly environment, corporate America too reaffirmed its faith and hope in the future of the U.S.-India trade relationship with a commitment to invest $41 billion in India.

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