President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed a new era in relations between their countries after the White House on Thursday announced defense and trade deals with Delhi aimed at countering China’s global influence.
The partnership between the two countries is now “stronger, closer and more dynamic than at any time in history,” Biden told reporters at a joint press conference with Modi. The briefing came after the conclusion of the Oval Office talks, during which Biden and Modi, among others, discussed their differences on Russia and respect for human rights.
Economic relations between the two countries are “thriving” and trade has more than doubled in the past decade, Biden said.
Although the countries are not formal allies bound by the treaty, Washington wants Delhi to become a strategic counterweight to China. Although none of the leaders directly criticized Beijing, they did refer to the PRC in their official statements.
“Dark clouds of coercion and confrontation cast their shadows over the Indo-Pacific region,” Modi said in his address to Congress. “Stability in the region has become one of the central objectives of our partnership.”
After Biden and Modi spoke in private for more than two hours, they released a joint statement warning of rising tensions and destabilizing actions by Beijing in the East and South China Seas, and stressing the importance international law and freedom of navigation.
Modi aims to elevate the status of India, the world’s most populous country with 1.4 billion people and the fifth largest economy, on the world stage.
His presence at the White House press conference was in itself a reflection of a shift in political tradition: it was the first time Modi had answered reporters’ questions in this format in his nine years in office. He answered questions from two shortlisted American and Indian journalists and dismissed criticism of the human rights situation in India.
Washington is frustrated with India’s close ties to Russia while Moscow is waging war on Ukraine. Modi avoided mentioning Russia directly, but told lawmakers the conflict was “causing a lot of pain in the region.” According to him, since the major powers are involved in the military confrontation, “the consequences will be serious”.
Modi’s visit was not without controversy. The speech in Congress, usually a bipartisan event in support of a visit by a leader from an allied country, was boycotted by some liberal lawmakers who cited the Modi government’s treatment of the Muslim minority.
Several progressive Democrats, including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, boycotted Modi’s speech in Congress.
“I call on my colleagues who stand for pluralism, tolerance and freedom of the press to join me in doing the same,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted Wednesday.
Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy applaud Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a joint meeting of both houses of Congress at the Capitol, June 22, 2023
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters that a bipartisan congressional delegation was scheduled to visit India in October.
Biden told reporters that he and Modi had a candid discussion about democratic values.
The two countries announced agreements on semiconductors, critical minerals, technology, space and defense cooperation.
Some of the deals aim to diversify supply chains to reduce reliance on China. Biden and Modi also ended disputes between the two countries at the World Trade Organization, and India removed some tariffs on American products.
The United States is India’s largest trading partner, but the United States has much broader trade relations with China, the EU and its North American neighbors.
Biden and Modi signed an agreement allowing General Electric to manufacture jet engines in India for Indian military aircraft under a deal with Hindustan Aeronautics.
US Navy ships in the region will be able to stop at Indian shipyards for repairs under a maritime deal, and India will buy US-made MQ-9B SeaGuardian armed drones.
US chipmaker Micron Technology plans to build a $2.7 billion semiconductor testing and packaging unit in Modi’s home state of Gujarat. The United States will also facilitate the obtaining and renewal of United States visas for skilled Indian workers.
India has also agreed to join the US-led Artemis agreement on space exploration and will work with NASA on a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024.
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