Mr. Modi involves Washington – The Indian prime minister’s go to may strengthen ties with the US, but additionally raises some delicate points

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to attend his first state go to on the White Home on June 22, 2023, marking a historic second that might probably affect relations between India and the USA for years.

Modi, 72, was first elected prime minister in 2014 after which reelected in 2019. Since then, Modi has earned a world repute as an unyielding Hindu nationalist and a strongman who leads with tight management.

We’re political scientists who have written extensively on U.S. overseas coverage and the connection between the U.S. and India, in addition to democracy.

Over the previous few years, notably since Modi’s 2019 reelection, some students and analysts have written about democracy declining in India. That is partly due to new laws and authorities stress to censor information media and free speech important of Modi.

The U.S. doesn’t routinely give state go to invites to world leaders. Modi can be set to deal with Congress, one other honor that’s hardly ever granted to a visiting overseas dignitary.

However in our view, the U.S. is courting India as a result of it wants the nation to function a strategic bulwark towards China’s expansionist insurance policies in Asia.

Understanding Modi

Modi grew up in India’s western state of Gujarat, in pretty modest circumstances. He had an extended profession in native and state politics and developed a repute as a tough-minded, however in a position, politician.

A longtime member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a militant Hindu political group, Modi has been characterised by Indian political observers and overseas analysts alike for his sturdy Hindu nationalist views.

Hinduism is the hottest faith in India,, however individuals there additionally follow Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism.

Hindu nationalism has been on the rise in recent times, spawned by some individuals’s perception that India is and must be a predominantly Hindu nation, and that its insurance policies ought to mirror that.

At occasions, this rise in Hindu nationalism has taken a violent flip.

When Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat in February 2002, Hindu zealots carried out a riot there that killed greater than 1,000 individuals – most of whom had been Muslim. Modi has denied any position on this occasion, however police have mentioned that the violence occurred with tacit approval of the state authorities, together with Modi.

The U.S. subsequently denied Modi a guests visa in 2005.

However Modi has been a extensively in style prime minister, with a 78% approval ranking as of February 2023.

US and India ties

Ties between the U.S. and India grew underneath Modi’s management, particularly round problems with safety and protection cooperation.

India, for instance, has bought a considerable quantity of refined weaponry from the U.S. over the previous few years. It has additionally signed three essential protection agreements with the U.S. throughout this similar timeframe.

Protection analysts say that these agreements will considerably enhance army cooperation between the 2 international locations.

India has additionally change into, albeit considerably fitfully, a extra lively participant within the Quadrilateral Safety Dialogue, which is a unfastened, four-country initiative that additionally entails the U.S., Japan and Australia. The group routinely meets to debate safety and commerce, and infrequently carries out army workout routines collectively.

These international locations additionally share concern about China’s rising energy in Asia. Whereas India and China have an established buying and selling relationship, totally different safety points – particularly associated to the disputed Himalayan border between the international locations – have dogged diplomatic relations between them for practically a decade.

An essential level of competition between the U.S. and India entails India’s tepid response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

India has been reluctant to publicly criticize Russia partially due to its acute dependence on Moscow for weapons know-how.. Modi has been in common contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, however has not condemned the invasion, solely going as far as to say that now could be “not an period for struggle.”

Questions dogging the go to

The Biden administration’s resolution to ask Modi for a state go to is clearly designed to ship a message to New Delhi concerning the significance that it attaches to the rising U.S.-India partnership and India’s potential position in containing China’s rising strategic attain throughout Asia.

Modi is operating for reelection in 2024. So, particularly if the go to yields any tangible advantages for India, the assembly may lead to some electoral positive aspects at residence.

Biden and Modi will possible focus on tips on how to proceed rising the international locations’ relationships and the way to answer China’s affect – in addition to the ticklish query of India’s place on the Ukraine disaster.

The U.S. is aiming to promote India armed drones, and Biden can be prone to provide India GE jet engine manufacturing know-how. This could give India’s protection capabilities a big increase and would additionally reduce its dependence on Russian army know-how.

Questions on a weakening democracy in India, although, in addition to violence towards minorities, could come to canine the connection.

Hindu extremist teams have more and more attacked and harassed minorities, most notably Muslims, over the previous few years.

Modi’s administration has additionally obtained worldwide consideration for its curbs on the freedom of the press, makes an attempt to muzzle nonprofit teams and efforts to undermine the political opposition.

As a result of questions of democracy and the Ukraine struggle are so fraught, we imagine that these points may stall extra political agreements and nearer ties between the U.S. and India. How Biden and Modi sort out these varied topics through the go to may assist decide the course of U.S-.India relations.