Both, India and the United States will aim for a “new direction for deeper bilateral engagement” and “consolidation of multi-dimensional strategic partnership” when Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls upon US President Donald Trump, announced New Delhi and Washington. Modi is scheduled to arrive in Washington on June 25 amid Trump's pressing of stricter norms for issuance of H1-B visas, and the US' pulling out of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The two leaders have spoken to each other over the phone three times since Trump's inauguration in January this year, but are yet to meet in person. The statement said, “Their discussions will provide a new direction for deeper bilateral engagement on issues of mutual interest and consolidation of multi-dimensional strategic partnership between India and the US.” Modi's visit comes in the backdrop of Trump's blame on India and China for the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.
As he received global condemnation, Trump had said, “India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions of dollars from developed countries.” India, in response, had said it signed the agreement not under duress or for lure of money, but due to its commitment to protect the environment. In fact, Modi, during his visit to France this month, had said that the country would go “above and beyond” the Paris deal to protect climate for future generations.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said, “I think you can expect the two of them to set forth a vision that will expand the US-India partnership in an ambitious and worthy way of both countries' people.” He said both the leaders were expected to set forth a “common vision” on expanding the US-India partnership and cited fighting terrorism, economic growth and reforms, and expanding security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region as shared priorities. “President Trump and Prime Minister Modi will look to outline a common vision for the United States-India partnership that is worthy of their 1.6 billion citizens.”
Trump had invited Modi to Washington after the latter rang him in January to congratulate him on his inauguration. “The President and the Prime Minister have had a number of positive phone conversations, and expect to further that discussion,” Spicer said.
Given the focus of the upcoming visit, Modi will be in Washington and the Indian delegation will be occupied with engagements with the White House and top administration officials. Modi will meet the Indian community on one occasion but the event will be a rare break from official business. He will look for gains in dealing with Pakistan's role in promoting terrorism and India's case for a seat at the nuclear supplier's group besides enlarging the economic relationship. So far, Trump has sprung more than a few surprises in his foreign policy. He has rubbed his NATO allies the wrong way, saying US is carrying more than its fair burden in supporting the long-standing trans-Atlantic alliance. He has decisively backed Saudi Arabia against Iran, a move that some feel lacks balance but could also be seen as an attempt to contain at least one major source of instability in the middle-east.
