A successful first meeting. That would sum up Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day trip to Washington to meet with the new resident of White House, Donald Trump. Shorn of Modi's foreign shows, which include rousing speeches at public venues to swooning crowds, this visit was limited in agenda and successful in outcome.
Former president Barak Obama called the Indo-US ties 'the defining partnership of the 21st century'. Bilateral ties move ahead irrespective of the governments in power, but good rapport between the leaders is what makes these ties warm and personal. It's the personal rapport—when you can simply pick your phone and call a dear friend—that helps break stalemates like the one that nearly derailed the Paris Summit.
Modi's interactions with Trump were wary, but warm. Both took the easiest routes to please the other— appeal to their vanity and personal charisma. While Trump happily announced that he and Modi were world leaders in social media—both used this modern tool for direct, two-way connect with the people they represent—Modi returned the compliment by noting that his vision for a new India would find convergence with Trump's call for making America great again.
There wasn't much business to be transacted this time, but there was a need to re-emphasise joint commitments in a host of areas from combating terror, reconstructing Afghanistan to strengthening trade ties. With a little give and a little take, the two leaders were able to convey an understanding and empathy for each other's concerns. India joined in with the US to condemn the regime in North Korea, a country with which India has little contact. It was important to support the US on this topic. Similarly, the US branded Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin a global terrorist. Salahuddin receives Pakistani patronage, and the US branding was a shot in the arm for India, though it doesn't mean much.
India warily kept contentious issues like the proposed tweaking of the lucrative (for Indians) H1B visa programme as well as Trump's decision to renege from the Paris accord. The latter was drafted only after India had stepped back from its position on “historic responsibility'', following the personal request Obama made to Modi. There will be time and other fora to discuss these issues, which are only minor irritants in a relationship that encompasses so many areas, from defence to trade, say foreign office sources.
Although Modi scored when it came to body language—he was the initiator of the hugs (which Trump relented to with grace), Trump managed to get a little more of his thoughts into the statement than was strictly necessary. He made it a point to mention that the balance of trade was in India's favour and India should make American imports easier. He also offered India a batch of surveillance drones for maritime reconnaissance. This was not exactly what India is looking for, its need being combat drones. This, however, was not really a shopping trip, and India has to find a way of not having to purchase drones it does not need, says defence analyst Bharat Karnad.
In a little over a week, the two will meet again in Hamburg for the G20 meet. They'll meet, not as strangers, but at least as acquaintances, if not old friends.
