WASHINGTON: According to a US official who is aware of the discussions and another person briefed on the subject, the Biden administration is in talks with Indian officials regarding a possible White House visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year. As part of his strategy to win what he has framed as a contest between free and autocratic societies, particularly China, US President Joe Biden is eager to strengthen ties with the largest democracy in the world. Both the Indian Embassy and the White House declined to comment. According to the sources, the dates are not set. Ajit Doval, the Indian National Security Adviser, met with his American counterpart Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington this week, intensifying discussions about a possible visit to the White House. During the visit, the United States and India established a partnership to strengthen ties regarding semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and military equipment. Washington has been irritated by New Delhi's participation in Russian military exercises and increased crude oil purchases, which are a major source of funding for the war in Ukraine. Washington has been urging New Delhi to take additional measures against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. As it seeks to add more fighter jets and roads along its tense border with China, India proposed on Wednesday increasing military spending for the upcoming year by 13% to $72.6 billion. Since the 1950s, India and China have disputed a 2,100-mile (3,400-kilometer) border. In September, the G20 meetings that India is hosting are expected to be attended by the US president. During the mid-year meeting of the Quad nations, which is hosted by Australia and also includes Japan, Biden is also anticipated to meet with Modi. Biden's strategy of strengthening regional alliances and bolstering Asian security in the face of threats such as China's claims to Taiwan and vast swaths of the South China Sea relies heavily on these nations, along with South Korea. After a 2002 incident in which more than 1,000 people, primarily Muslims, were killed in sectarian riots in the Indian state of Gujarat, where Modi had served as chief minister, the administration of President George W. Bush denied him a visa to the United States in 2005. Modi denied all allegations. After he was named prime minister in 2014, Barack Obama extended his first invitation to him to visit the White House. In December, Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) broke records in his home state of Gujarat and is widely anticipated to win the 2024 general election.
WASHINGTON: According to a US official who is aware of the discussions and another person briefed on the subject, the Biden administration is in talks with Indian officials regarding a possible White House visit by Prime Minister Narendar Modi later this year.
As part of his strategy to win what he has framed as a contest between free and autocratic societies, particularly China, US President Joe Biden is eager to strengthen ties with the largest democracy in the world.
Both the Indian Embassy and the White House declined to comment.
According to the sources, the dates are not set. Ajit Doval, the Indian National Security Adviser, met with his American counterpart Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington this week, intensifying discussions about a possible visit to the White House.
During the visit, the United States and India established a partnership to strengthen ties regarding semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and military equipment.
Washington has been irritated by New Delhi’s participation in Russian military exercises and increased crude oil purchases, which are a major source of funding for the war in Ukraine. Washington has been urging New Delhi to take additional measures against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
As it seeks to add more fighter jets and roads along its tense border with China, India proposed on Wednesday increasing military spending for the upcoming year by 13% to $72.6 billion. Since the 1950s, India and China have disputed a 2,100-mile (3,400-kilometer) border.
In September, the G20 meetings that India is hosting are expected to be attended by the US president.
During the mid-year meeting of the Quad nations, which is hosted by Australia and also includes Japan, Biden is also anticipated to meet with Modi.
Biden’s strategy of strengthening regional alliances and bolstering Asian security in the face of threats such as China’s claims to Taiwan and vast swaths of the South China Sea relies heavily on these nations, along with South Korea.
After a 2002 incident in which more than 1,000 people, primarily Muslims, were killed in sectarian riots in the Indian state of Gujarat, where Modi had served as chief minister, the administration of President George W. Bush denied him a visa to the United States in 2005. Modi denied all allegations.
After he was named prime minister in 2014, Barack Obama extended his first invitation to him to visit the White House.
In December, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) broke records in his home state of Gujarat and is widely anticipated to win the 2024 general election.
