Biden welcomes Indian PM Modi to the White House for elaborate state visit that’s fraught with trade-offs

For the purpose of hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House this week for a state visit — the highest level of diplomatic engagement that the United States can undertake – President Joe Biden was compelled to make a number of concessions. The West has expressed concern over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s authoritarian tendencies, despite the fact that he enjoys enormous popularity in India. He has suppressed dissent, targeted journalists, and enacted laws that human rights organisations allege are biassed towards Muslims. He has also targeted journalists.

Nevertheless, Modi and India, which is the largest democracy in the world, are an important part of Biden’s overall strategy in Asia. The population of this nation recently surpassed that of China, making it the most populated nation on the entire planet. According to Biden, it is impossible to find a solution to any significant problem that affects the entire world, including climate change and technological progress, without the participation of India. And in a time when tensions are rising between the United States and China, Biden is eager to establish relationships with as many allies as possible.

Officials have stated that this was the reasoning behind inviting Modi for a state visit, which would be only the third one during Biden’s presidency up to this point. As a result, when the Prime Minister arrived at the White House on Thursday, he was greeted with the greatest honours that the American friendship can bestow: There will be a military parade on the South Lawn, lengthy discussions in the Oval Office, and a state banquet in the evening, during which there will be a chef who specialises in plant-based cuisine in order to satisfy Prime Minister Modi’s vegetarian diet.

After the lavish welcome ceremony, Vice President Joe Biden praised the strong friendship that exists between the United States of America and India. However, he also made an effort to emphasise the significance of the parties’ shared principles in the relationship going forward. From a stage on the South Lawn, Vice President Joe Biden delivered the following speech: “As democracies, we are better able to tap into the full talent of all of our people, and attract investments as true and trusted partners as leading nations.”

“The power of our example is our greatest export,” Biden added. “Equality before the law, freedom of expression, religious pluralism, and the richness of our people’s backgrounds.” These fundamental ideas have persisted and progressed despite the fact that they have been tested throughout the history of each of our countries. They are the source of our power, our depth, and our destiny.