Visiting Biden – US: pompous reception for the Prime Minister of India

The Biden administration is aggressively seeking to tie India more closely as a major player in the Indo-Pacific and on the international stage. However, numerous US Congress politicians expressed concern about the human rights situation in India.

“Two Great Friends”
Biden said he was “convinced that the relationship between the United States and India will be one of the defining relationships of the 21st century.” It is about “two great nations, two great friends, two great powers” that could determine the course of the century. “The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require India and the United States to work together and take the lead together.”

Several members of the US cabinet attended the formal welcoming ceremony for Modi, including Vice President Kamala Harris, whose mother was from India. Thousands of Americans of Indian descent were also invited. In addition to the talks between Biden and Modi and a press appearance by the two, the agenda also included a speech by the Indian prime minister to both chambers of the US Congress, as well as a festive state banquet at the White House in the evening.

Lots of splendor during state visits
In contrast to regular working visits, state visits are accompanied by special formal pomp and circumstance, such as a state banquet. Modi is only the third foreign guest to receive this honor during Biden’s tenure. French President Emmanuel Macron paid a state visit to the United States last December. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol followed suit at the end of April.

According to information from the US, during the visit, the two heads of government wanted to establish several new partnerships, including the sale of MQ-9B armed drones from the US to New Delhi, US investments in semiconductor manufacturing in India and new cooperation in the field of aerospace and technology sector.

The growing influence of India
India has overtaken China as the most populous country. With a population of about 1.4 billion, it is also the largest democracy in the world and has growing political and economic influence, especially in the Indo-Pacific. The Biden administration seeks to counter China’s push for power in the region and has therefore significantly promoted partnerships with other countries in the region, including the so-called quad alliance with India, Japan and Australia.

That Biden rolled out the red carpet for the Indian prime minister in this way also met with criticism. Modi of the Hindu nationalist BJP has been the country’s prime minister since 2014. During his tenure, India dropped several places in the democracy and press freedom rankings. Critics complain that religious minorities are discriminated against in the predominantly Hindu country.

criticism of the human rights situation
Prior to Modi’s visit, more than 70 US politicians from the House of Representatives and Senate expressed concern about the human rights record in India and wrote an open letter asking Biden to raise these issues at the meeting. They warned that there were disturbing signs that political rights and freedom of expression in India were being curtailed, that religious intolerance towards minorities was on the rise and press freedom was suffering. The White House said in advance that the president would not shy away from these difficult issues. Individual MPs also wanted to boycott Modi’s speech in Congress over these concerns.

Biden said in Modi’s welcome: “Equality before the law, freedom of speech, religious pluralism, the diversity of our peoples – these fundamental principles have persisted and evolved – despite the challenges of our nations’ history.” , said both countries were “proud of their diversity”.

Another not so easy issue between the two countries is the Russian offensive war against Ukraine. India has been neutral on this so far and is not in favor of Western sanctions. The country has good relations with both Western countries and Russia, on which it depends for much of its military equipment. During the war, India also started buying more oil from Russia. The US, on the other hand, is Ukraine’s closest ally in the conflict and is at the forefront of the international alliance against Russia.