The visit of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to the US faced backfire as dozens of Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Pramila Jayapal, urged President Joe Biden to address human rights issues with Modi. The concerns raised by the lawmakers include religious intolerance, press freedoms, internet access, and the targeting of civil society groups. The letter emphasized the importance of upholding core principles in American foreign policy.
Despite concerns over a deteriorating human rights situation under Modi’s leadership, this visit marks his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit. While for China, the US will be more aggressive, for India, they seem more ‘relaxed’. So, how was the visit of Modi to the US
The US refuses to pressure Modi’s governance?
India’s state visit to the US actually presents a significant chance for the Biden administration to address religious freedom concerns in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. The US government must recognize and address the Indian government’s involvement in severe violations of religious freedom within its population and urge the Indian government to uphold its human rights obligations.
However, this is not the case for the United States and India, as they have built a long-standing relationship as strategic partners and bilateral relations cover various issues, including economic cooperation, security cooperation, and regional stability. Although social and religious freedom is a significant concern, there may be other factors in the overall relationship between the two countries.
The US believes in a balance of interests, and governments often adopt pragmatic approaches to address concerns while maintaining stable and constructive relations, including with India. Rather than adopt a confrontational or repressive approach to India, the US decided to ‘let it go’ and engages in dialogue and diplomatic efforts rather than aggressively accusing India. Especially when the US has specific interests in India, which is related to China.
The importance of political agenda rather than the social issues
The key areas of focus during the visit are deepening defense ties, partnership in technology, addressing global issues such as climate change, and discussing the war in Ukraine and India’s relationship with Russia. The US wanted to ensure that India was still on ‘their side’, especially concerning issues such as the Russian-Ukraine war.
For this purpose, the Biden administration has been actively working to strengthen its relationship with India, recognizing India as a consequential partner in various aspects. The United States also recognizes India’s potential to shape regional dynamics and maintain a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. The US believes that India can contribute significantly to the region’s security and stability with its diverse military capabilities, diplomatic reach, and commitment to upholding a rules-based order.
The engagement in multilateral forums like the Quad (comprising the US, India, Japan, and Australia) reflects the growing recognition of India’s role in shaping the Indo-Pacific agenda. Having India in its shoes, without questioning more on the human rights approach, is beneficial for the US in its relations with India.
This reflects the United States effort to expand its global influence and engage with key countries to address shared challenges and pursue common objectives. Also, The United States is India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade surpassing $190 billion last year. The long-standing economic interest is also in line with the US interest in India.
The mention of deepening defense ties suggests a desire to enhance military cooperation and collaboration between the two countries. This can involve defense procurement, joint exercises, and information sharing, among other aspects.
Without stressing too much on the human rights issues in India, the United States has three core interests in India, each of equal importance. Firstly, it desires to see India thrive as a vibrant, liberal democracy. The success of India’s democratic system has moral implications for the global order that the U.S. has long invested in.
Secondly, the U.S. aims to witness the growth of India’s power and a deepening of the bilateral partnership. This objective strengthens the multipolar order in Asia, which is crucial for the U.S. strategic interests, particularly in China.
Thirdly, the U.S. seeks to establish deepened economic ties with India, creating mutually beneficial prosperity for both countries.
On the other hand, India’s interests primarily lie in rising as a great power in its own right, and it recognizes the United States as a significant ally in achieving that goal. The alignment of Indian and American interests offers promising opportunities for cooperation in the coming years.
