Modi in USA!!Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit New York and Washington, D.C. from September 27-30. This will be his first visit to the U.S. as leader of the world’s largest democracy and the first opportunity for the prime minister and President Barack Obama to meet.

Modi will also engage with congressional leaders, the private sector and members of the Indian diaspora. The goal will be to build on the India-U.S. relationship, which has bilateral, regional and global dimensions. It also encompasses interaction in the fields of economics and trade, energy and climate change, cyber-governance, counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, and defense issues, as well as health and immigration.

Modi’s visit will focus policy and media attention on several issues:

1. Personal Diplomacy. It is somewhat ironic that the prospect of renewed bilateral ties now turns on Modi’s election, as the United States barred entry to the then-Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2005, citing his role in deadly Hindu-Muslim riots three years before. It was not until February 2014 that the American ambassador met with him for the first time. In welcoming him to the White House, the Obama administration will signal that a new era has begun.
2. The Strategic Case for Close Relations.  It will be key for Obama and Modi to articulate an interests-based case for ties between India and the U.S., in addition to the values they share.
3. Deliverables. There will not be large “deliverables” akin to the civil nuclear accord or U.S. endorsement of India’s UN Security Council membership.
 Yet more modest progress on defense (including contracts and a commitment to renew the Defense Framework Agreement) and economic issues (such as a breakthrough on WTO trade facilitation talks or a date certain by which to conclude a Bilateral Investment Treaty) would set the stage for future progress.
4. The U.S. and India in the Region. India and the United States share a similar approach to China, seeking close economic ties and cordial diplomatic relations while hedging their bets by enhancing security ties with regional powers – including each other. Indian officials worry about the Afghanistan endgame following an American withdrawal and both Washington and New Delhi remain concerned about Pakistan.

Expected Qquestion

Who is the President of Center for a New American Security (CNAS)?

-Richard Fontaine

Who is the CNAS Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program

-Patrick Cronin