Cementing a partnership

Modi treads a cautious path as he heads to the United States for his maiden State Visit

- SAROSH BANA

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 21-24 June visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden is being hailed by both New Delhi and Washington as an event that will open up a new era of synergistic relations between the world's largest democracy and the world's largest economy. The two countries co-operate on a wide range of diplomatic, economic and security issues.

"The visit will strengthen our two countries' shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific, and our shared resolve to elevate our strategic technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy, and space," remarked White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. "They would reflect on their shared vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and discuss opportunities to expand and consolidate the Quad engagement," added India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), commenting on the two leaders. The Quad, officially known as Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, was formed in 2006 by the US, India, Australia and Japan as an 'informal strategic coalition' against China's power-play in the Indo-Pacific.

Of the 114 foreign visits the Prime Minister has made to over 60 countries since he came to power in 2014, seven have been to the US. He has not gone so many times to any other country. Yet, this will be his first official state visit to the US, the highest level of diplomatic reception that involves a state dinner on 22 June, his earlier visits having been characterised as official or working visits. Modi is also scheduled to address a gathering of Indian Americans on 23 June 'on the role of the Indian diaspora in India's growth story'.