Modi foresees stronger India-US relations

Striking an optimistic note about the possibilities of taking India-US relations to greater heights India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi describes the United States as India’s ‘natural global partner’.

Further he noted that as the world’s largest democracy and the world oldest democracy, the two countries complemented each other’s strength.

“The US is our natural global partner. India and the US embody the enduring and universal relevance of their shared values,” wrote Modi in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal on September 26.

Modi highlighted that the extraordinary success of the three million-strong Indian-American diaspora in the US was the metaphor for what the two countries could achieve, given the right environment.

Thus Modi opined: “The complementary strengths of India and the U.S. can be used for inclusive and broad-based global development to transform lives across the world. Because our countries’ values and interests are aligned, though our circumstances are different, we are in a unique position to become a bridge to a more integrated and cooperative world.”

By the virtue of the shared values between New Delhi and Washington, the two countries had a fundamental stake in each other’s success, he observed.

“That is also the imperative of our partnership. And it will be of great value in advancing peace, security and stability in the Asia and Pacific regions; in the unfinished and urgent task of combating terrorism and extremism; and in securing our seas, cyber space and outer space, all of which now have a profound influence on our daily lives.”

However, Modi also stuck a cautionary note saying that New Delhi and Washington can work together to address global concerns but they need to show ‘sensitivity to each other’s point of view and the confidence of our friendship’.

India-US relations while amiable faced a period of stagnation especially after 2010. This visit of Modi has been hailed in New Delhi and Washington as an opportunity to revive and rejuvenate relations.

Modi also outlined his philosophy of governance by stating that his government is committed to unleashing the potential of an India that is young and on the move.

“We will pursue this mission by eliminating unnecessary laws and regulations, making bureaucratic processes easier and shorter, and ensuring that our government is more transparent, responsive and accountable. It has been said that doing the thing right is as important as doing the right thing.”

He added that both countries must be future oriented and emphasised the role of information technology in building partnerships between the two nations.

“Our strengths in information technology are especially important for leadership in the digital age. The partnership between our businesses takes place in the comfort and certainty of similar political systems and shared commitment to rule of law. In education, innovation, and science and technology, the US continues to inspire India,” said Modi.

The visiting Prime Minister is scheduled to meet the United States President Barak Obama on September 29 in Washington. He will also be addressing the UN General Assembly on September 27, after which he willspeak in front of an audience of over 18,000 Indian-American community at the Madison Square Garden in New York.

“I am confident in the destiny of our two nations, because democracy is the greatest source of renewal and, with the right conditions, offers the best opportunity for the human spirit to flourish,” added Modi.

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