WASHINGTON (AP) — Although not the closest of friends, there is no denying the unique bond between U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both leaders hail from modest backgrounds—Biden from the blue-collar town of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Modi from humble beginnings as the son of a tea seller. Their relationship is built on a foundation of mutual respect for their tenacity and a practical understanding of the challenges their respective countries face.
In an effort to strengthen ties with a nation of 1.4 billion people that the U.S. administration views as a pivotal force in Asia for years to come, Biden is hosting Modi for a state visit this week. This grand occasion will mark the tenth time the two leaders have engaged in person or virtually since Biden assumed the presidency in 2021. They are also scheduled to meet again in September at the Group of 20 summit in India.
The U.S.-India relationship is intricate, navigating through deep differences regarding Russia’s involvement in Ukraine and India’s human rights record.
Nonetheless, the frequent engagement between Biden and Modi signifies their recognition of the crucial nature of the U.S.-India relationship. Despite any personal dynamics that may exist, both leaders acknowledge the significance of this partnership in the face of an increasingly assertive China and the immense challenges posed by climate change, artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience, and other pressing issues.
While they share a good personal rapport, what truly matters is their mutual understanding of the need to advance the relationship for the benefit of both nations. Arun K. Singh, a former Indian ambassador to the U.S., emphasized the convergence of interests between Biden and Modi, noting their personal investment in driving the ties forward.
It is worth noting that Biden and Modi have not forged the same level of close bond that former President Barack Obama had with Modi’s predecessor, Manmohan Singh.
Singh had the distinction of being the first leader that Obama honored with a state visit during his presidency. In his post-presidency memoir, “A Promised Land,” Obama spoke highly of the former Indian premier, describing him as wise, thoughtful, and scrupulously honest. Obama also credited Singh as the chief architect of India’s economic transformation, highlighting his significant contributions.
However, it is unlikely that Biden and Modi will engage in the same kind of high-profile stadium rallies that Modi and former President Donald Trump held together in Houston and Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Trump even compared Modi to Elvis Presley, acknowledging his charismatic appeal during their joint rally in Houston in September 2019, which drew approximately 50,000 attendees at NRG Stadium. Later, the two leaders surpassed that crowd size with a massive rally at a cricket stadium five months later. During the Ahmedabad rally, Modi praised Trump as a unique friend of India, while Trump referred to Modi as an exceptional leader.
Despite the absence of large-scale rallies, the Biden administration asserts that there is ample evidence of the growing U.S.-India relationship.
One notable aspect is the significant increase in trade between the two countries, reaching a record $191 billion in 2022. Additionally, through the Quad—a partnership consisting of the U.S., Australia, India, and Japan—joint efforts were made in 2021 to donate 1.2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the Indo-Pacific region.
Furthermore, earlier this year, the U.S. and India launched the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies. This initiative paves the way for collaboration in areas such as semiconductor production, artificial intelligence development, and the relaxation of export control regulations, potentially enabling U.S. defense contractors to transfer critical technology. As an example, General Electric, a U.S.-based company, is currently awaiting approval from the Biden administration to produce jet engines in India, reflecting the growing cooperation in key industries.
According to Richard Rossow, the chair of U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, the warmth between Biden and Modi may not be as explosive as in some other relationships, but the level and intensity of engagement between them have significantly increased.
Although Biden, a center-left Democrat, and Modi, a Hindu nationalist leading the conservative Bharatiya Janata Party, come from different political backgrounds, they have found common ground in their modest upbringings. A senior Biden administration official noted that both leaders have bonded over their humble beginnings. Modi, who grew up in a small town in Gujarat, worked at his father’s tea shop to help support the family. Biden, on the other hand, frequently speaks about his father’s struggles in maintaining a middle-class lifestyle, which has influenced his own perspective on the world.
The anonymous official mentioned that both leaders appreciate each other’s “scrappiness,” reflecting their shared appreciation for overcoming challenges and making their way up the ladder.
However, tensions do exist within the Biden-Modi relationship. Last year, Biden publicly criticized India’s response to the war in Ukraine, describing it as “shaky.” India chose to abstain from voting on U.N. resolutions condemning Russia and did not join the global coalition against Russia. Additionally, the Modi government has significantly increased its purchase of Russian oil since the war began.
The passage you provided highlights the contrasting perspectives surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States and the expectations from various groups. Human rights organizations and press freedom advocates are urging President Joe Biden to address concerns about democratic erosion, religious discrimination, and the conviction of opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. These issues have generated criticism and raised questions about India’s commitment to inclusive governance and human rights.
On the other hand, the Biden administration has emphasized the importance of the U.S.-India relationship, focusing on shared values and the need for collaboration in addressing global challenges. They acknowledge India’s critical role in areas such as the energy transition and see Prime Minister Modi as a partner in ambitious endeavors.
The passage also mentions some lighter moments between Biden and Modi, highlighting their personal rapport. During Modi’s previous visit to Washington, they shared a lighthearted exchange about their last names, and their warm greeting at the G7 summit garnered attention.
Nirupama Rao, a former Indian ambassador, suggests that both leaders possess skills in the softer aspects of politics, which may contribute to fostering a good understanding between them during this visit.
Overall, the passage reflects the contrasting expectations surrounding Modi’s visit, with human rights concerns raised on one side and a focus on collaboration and shared goals on the other.