Modi’s US Trip: A Broad Overview

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s most recent visit to the United States of America stands out as an event of paramount importance in context to current geopolitical along with economic situations. Though the visit was for a shorter period of time. But interesting point to be touched was that Bangladesh issue has been emphasized in broad outlines. During his meeting with US President Joe Biden, Modi covered one wide ranging issues. His concern on the subcontinent issues has been a worth mentioning one. Recently the way India’s most closer and cordial neighbor Bangladesh faced massive political coup. The incident has brought to light among citizens of South Asian Sub-Continent as well as to that citizens of other parts of the globe. That the time has rightly arrived at to restore peace and tranquility around the South Asian Sub-Continent. So long situations were being sailed on a sound note. But the August 5 coup in Bangladesh has brought about widespread thunder and phobia to us.

Indian Prime Minister Modi met US President Joe Biden at Delaware for the Quad Summit. Quad as we are well aware of is a conglomeration of four nations. Let me state for the cognizance of my readers such as US, India, Japan and Australia. The meetings among were held in a friendly and amiable gesture. Apart from Quad Summit, the most interesting aspect to be noted was Modi Biden separate meet. In this separate meet there was deep emphasize upon Bangladesh issue. As already highlighted due to the current Bangladesh crisis Indian business with Bangladesh has badly suffered. This was highlighted in broad outlines by the Indian Prime Minister with US President. Below details of Modi Biden meet are broadly highlighted so as to ascertain the complete flavor of US towards India and Bangladesh.

Last week Indian Prime Minister had wide-ranging discussions US President Joe Biden. Along with meeting with Biden, Quad Summit was held with other three members. The details of Biden Modi meet are stated as such, bilateral relations between India and US should be more strengthened in the upcoming days, Bangladesh issues were discussed at length by the two leaders, tackling climate change along with new emerging technology has been emphasized upon by the two leaders, emphasizing global challenges, famous global wars such as Russia Ukraine war and Israeli Palestinian War, new pathways should be traced out in order to be deep-rooted India US Comprehensive Global Strategic partnership, accusation by Gurupatwant Singh Pannu on India has been amicably solved by US and India, wide-ranging discussions on current Bangladeshi political and social turmoil, the member nations connected with the Quad group stressed upon imposition of peace and tranquility especially important issue is Bangladeshi political turmoil, establishing a semicon plant in West Bengal etc.

Exclusively let me touch upon the focusing areas about the dialogues between Modi and Biden. Among all areas touched upon by both leaders, some of the common ones are stated as such, upgrading India US relations from diverse perspectives, G-20 meet on September 2023 was discussed at length, India’s leader in restoration of global peace and tranquility was discussed at length, havoc regarding coup in Bangladesh on August 5 was stressed upon by two leaders, emergence of key technological innovations like space, semiconductors and finally advancement of telecommunication network was dealt at length by them, collaborations in space technology between two nations, US India defense Industrial road map was also discussed at length, setting up of solar power was also discussed, alleviating cancer research for hapless sections of Indians  was also discussed, collaboration on agriculture was also discussed at length and development of agriculture plus agricultural products  in India was also discussed at length.

India at present aiming to elevate her position in level of US, China and Japan. Through the Asian continent we find that India is in a sound position. During my recent visit to New Delhi I could visualize from my eyes that the pattern of development India is envisaging at present. Economically India might have advanced, but still my perception goes by as such. That we need to focus upon development of our political governance. That means Indian capital city New Delhi might have developed but in other parts of the nation there lies the need for a more development from its macro perspectives. Glaring instance reflects about poverty and poverty stricken people about how they are struggling to meet up their needs. Government of India’s efforts are there but very tough proposition to undergo.

Though Indian Prime Minister Modi returned to India earlier, but India will be well represented by Dr S. Jaishankar at UNO Summit. This is the 79th Summit as we are well aware of since its formation the year 1945 on October 24. Caretaker head of Bangladesh Dr Mohammad Yunus is now in New York to attend the General Assembly session. In the beginning there was a possibility of Modi Yunus meet at the sidelines of UNO meet. On the basis of diplomatic tacit it has been found out that from the Indian side, the honorable external affairs Minister Dr S.Jaishankar will be interacting with Nobel Laureate Dr Yunus. In Indian diplomatic parlance we find Dr Jaishankar is the most effective person to deal with global heads of state. Apart from Dr Yunus, the current foreign ministry adviser Mohammad Towhid Hossain will be with him as the former has profound knowledge on international affairs.

There was a claptrap dialogue about Modi’s return to India from US. But there is a logical instance hidden behind it. He entrusted the entire responsibility to external affairs minister of India Dr S.Jaishankar to carry on the dialogue with Dr Mohammad Yunus and advisor on foreign ministry Mohammad Towhid Hasan in New York.

After Narendra Modi’s departure from US, Dr S.Jaishankar was eager for a detailed dialogues with Dr Yunus. So far as per details available with this writer, there has been no dialogue between the Nobel Laureate and Indian External Affairs Minister. Due to unforeseen circumstances meeting between Dr S.Jaishankar and Dr Mohammad Yunus could not take place. However discussions between foreign ministry adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain and Dr Jaishankar has been extremely fruitful. Modi Yunus meet could not take place mainly because of difference in timings as well as hazards of travel. However the discussions between Mohammad Touhid Hossain and Dr Jaishankar was fruitful. Below details of the discussions are stated as such, settling down old pending issues, settlement of border disputes, there should not be any vices and malice between citizen of both nations, acrimony upon Indians by Bangladeshi students should be eradicated completely from our mind, former Prime Minister should be immediately extradited to Bangladesh, however Indian foreign minister is eager to develop bitter India Bangladesh relations, Bangladesh want former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to face court trial on account of various inconsistencies during her tenure and also in ministerial colleagues, Hossain has highlighted that all differences of opinion should be removed immediately and finally both nations must begin business and economic relations at the earliest.

Though Modi has made up Indian mind crystal clear to US President Joe Biden about current geopolitical situations in South Asian Subcontinent. But Bangladesh issue was attached topmost importance. This is just the prelude from Modi’s side, we expect more deliberations from both sides. India’s main interest centers upon Indo-Pacific issue which to me mind is the prerogatives for both. Details to be framed by me in the subsequent column.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Kolkata, India.