Biden and Modi hail ‘defining partnership’ as US and India sign major defense, tech agreements

In a grand display of camaraderie, United States President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated a new chapter in their countries’ relationship during Modi’s visit to the White House on June 23.

The two countries signed significant defense and trade deals aimed at countering China’s growing global influence.

Addressing the state dinner, President Biden toasted the “two great nations, two great friends, and two great powers,” while Modi praised Biden’s strength in action despite his soft-spoken nature.

The state dinner, held on the White House South Lawn in an elaborate tent, welcomed prominent Silicon Valley executives like Tim Cook of Apple, Sundar Pichai of Google, and Sam Altman of OpenAI, among others.

Welcome to the White House, Mr. Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/s21bVNqcGp

— President Biden (@POTUS) June 22, 2023

“I have long believed that the relationship between the US and India will be one of the most defining relationships of the 21st century,” Biden said. “The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together,” he said.

Modi, speaking in Hindi, called the visit “an honor and pride for 1.4 billion people of India” and said it came as the “world order is taking a new shape”.

Although India values its independence and the countries are not formal treaty-bound allies, the US seeks to establish India as a crucial counterweight to China’s assertiveness.

While not directly criticizing Beijing, both leaders subtly referred to China’s government under Xi Jinping. “The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific,” Modi told Congress. “The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership.”

A joint statement released after their private discussions highlighted the escalating tensions and destabilizing actions in the East and South China Sea, underscoring the importance of international law and freedom of navigation.

Modi’s US visits – Modi, who assumed office as prime minister in 2014, has made five visits to the United States prior to this trip. However, the ongoing visit holds special importance as it marks his first state visit, granting him full diplomatic status. Analysts have highlighted this fact as a clear indication of the Biden administration’s recognition of India’s crucial role in future endeavors.

India-USA friendship will make our world a better place! pic.twitter.com/WbbF9L0fzR

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 23, 2023

US and India sign defense and tech deals

The following is a roundup of the major defense and tech-related announcements made during the Biden-Modi meeting:

• Micron Technology plans to invest up to $825 million in a new chip assembly and test plant in Gujarat, India, with a total investment of $2.75 billion, supported by the Indian central government and the state of Gujarat.
• Applied Materials will invest $400 million over four years in a new engineering center in India.
• Vikram Solar Ltd-backed venture, VSK Energy LLC, will invest up to $1.5 billion in the U.S. solar energy supply chain, starting with a factory in Colorado.
• General Electric’s aerospace unit signed an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force, potentially including joint production of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India.
• India’s defense ministry approved the procurement of 31 armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones from General Atomics, worth slightly over $3 billion, with assembly taking place in India and the establishment of a new facility by General Atomics.
• India joined the U.S.-led Artemis Accords for space exploration and committed to a joint mission with NASA to the International Space Station in 2024.
• Establishment of a Joint Indo-U.S. Quantum Coordination Mechanism to facilitate collaborative research in advanced computing between the public and private sectors.

Modi’s visit prompts condemnation over human rights abuses

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the United States has triggered condemnation and protest from Muslim leaders, lawmakers, and other allies. Representatives including Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, and Kweisi Mfume have announced their boycott of Modi’s address to Congress. They cite concerns about violence, media repression, and the mistreatment of religious minorities under Modi’s right-wing nationalist government.

Prime Minister Modi’s government has repressed religious minorities, emboldened violent Hindu nationalist groups, and targeted journalists/human rights advocates with impunity.

I will NOT be attending Modi’s speech.

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) June 20, 2023

Human rights abuses, such as the 2002 Gujarat riots and the targeting of Muslims and journalists, are among the issues raised at the protests. Organizations like the Center on Islamic Relations (Cair) also support the boycott. Modi’s visit is seen as an opportunity to strengthen ties between the US and India, but critics question honoring a leader with a controversial human rights record.

USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper: “During Prime Minister Modi’s State Visit, we urge the Biden Administration and Congress to raise pressing issues of religious freedom and other related human rights in India and urge India to issue USCIRF visas to visit.” https://t.co/sShTn1oYOa

— USCIRF (@USCIRF) June 21, 2023