Forward Together We Go

Narendra Modi’s grand reception in the US have all led to the climax of meeting President Barack Obama. Modi and Obama are making headlines the world over for the first encounter between the leaders of the world’s biggest democracy and the oldest.

The two share the struggle faced while coming into office. One, blamed for riots in his state, and the other questioned about his roots.

But both are strong leaders who have each vowed to take their country from strength to strength. While Obama brought in the revolutionary healthcare system, Modi hopes to mobilise the same which will be the world’s largest universal health insurance programme.

Modi has, in all sense, taken the best from countries that share a positive role with India. His diplomacy, to inculcate new ideas to tranform India.

 

The Modi issue

In 2005, Narendra Modi then Chief Minister of Gujarat, was denied visa to the US. He was accused of turning a blind eye to the riots which left as many as 2,000 people dead. But since then, he has been cleared of all charges and after assuming office in May, Modi’s relations with the US have changed dramatically.

Washington has made active effort to court Modi – sending several Cabinet level delegations to New Delhi and pushing for an early visit to the US.

What could have helped the relations is Obama was not the President at that time.

 

Backing UN seat

India’s want for a reform in the UN Security Council to see it become a permanent member now sees the backing of Obama.

Modi’s maiden speech at the UN General Assembly impressed many with his strong rhetoric style delving into India’s great democracy, its civilisation, the philosophical tradition, its people – their hopes and desires.

His speech probed into the very important points that the West shares with India. Climate change, poverty eradication and countering terrorism.

In a joint “vision statement” issued after their first meeting at a White House dinner, the two leaders said they would work together “not just for the benefit of both our nations, but for the benefit of the world.”

They said their countries would cooperate in security and fight terrorism and back a “rules based” global order in which India assumes greater multilateral responsibility, including a reformed UN Security Council.

 

Combined Growth

Narendra Modi’s voice has echoed of economic and trade reforms in India to liberalise the country’s economy and slashing the country’s infamous red tape.

Modi’s articulate stand on the bid for making the country more viable for foreign investment has not fallen on deaf ears. The US has been keen to expand business and security ties with India, which it sees as a key counterbalance to an increasingly assertive China in Asia.

The vision statement “Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together We Go” calls for a joint endeavour for prosperity and peace.

“As leaders of two great democratic nations with diverse traditions and faiths, we share a vision for a partnership in which the United States and India work together, not just for the benefit of both our nations, but for the benefit of the world,” the White House said in a statement.

The vision statement said that US-India strategic partnership is a joint endeavour for prosperity and peace, and through intense consultations, joint exercises and shared technology, their security cooperation will make the region and world safe and secure.

With comments like “Our partnership will be a model for the rest of the world”, the growing proximity will be seen as a threat to those that oppose its interests and inform them that the two nations have joined hands to counter any negativity.