When Narendra Modi took over as prime minister, there were question marks on how the US, which had not allowed him a visa due to his baggage of the Gujarat riots, would deal with him. But Modi became quite a success in the US, and his relationship with former president Barack Obama was spontaneous, warm and mutually productive. Modi visited the US eight times during Obama's tenure, and he even managed a victory of sorts with his impromptu invitation to Obama as chief guest at the 2015 Republic Day function, which the US president accepted.
Donald Trump is now the president of the United States, and despite his campaigning bombast of Indians finding a true friend in the White House, his early months of presidency have sent confusing signals to India. Trump first announced a rethink of the H1B visas, the main route for Indians to enter the US, and also the route which helped Indian software firms do a lucrative but mutually beneficial business with US tech giants. The visa rules have not yet been changed and the officials say it could take several more months, but the bottom line is that Indian businesses and workers are on edge. Putting across Indian concerns to a regime that feels migrants are snatching American jobs will be a major task for Modi on his first trip to Trump's America later this month (June 25 and 26).
Another shock for India was when Trump announced that the US would withdraw from the Paris deal, and had accused India and China of benefiting from the deal at the expense of the US. India has not forgotten that it was the champion of the “historical responsibility'' clause in the statement, which meant that developed countries, which had been polluting the earth for decades more than emerging economies, owed more for the clean up of the planet. The two words braked the progress of the deal, and it was only when Obama personally called up Modi that India let go, and the Paris document was drafted. Clearing the air on this subject, and getting the US to see things from the Indian point of view, will be another major task for Modi.
Neighbourhood issues are likely to feature in the talks too. The US had indicated that it is not happy with Pakistani support to terror, and India will need to push forward this advantage to get the US view more India friendly and put pressure on Pakistan. Trump sees the booming Chinese economy as one of the biggest threats to the US. India sees the growth of China, and expansion of its military might, as a threat too. Besides, the Chinese obstacle has come in the way of India getting into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Of course, a first visit will be more of a getting-to-know-each-other exercise. But taking forward the successes—India is now considered a “major defence partner'' of the US—taking forward of the civil nuclear deal, and business talk, will make this a crucial visit for Modi.
