WASHINGTON: U.S. President Joe Biden and Narendra Modi hailed a new era in their countries’ relationship after the White House rolled out the red carpet for the Indian prime minister, touting deals on defense and commerce aimed at countering China’s global influence.
However, Modi almost ducked questions about human rights violations in his country, especially discriminations against Muslims.
Modi’s visit was not without controversy. Trucks with banners urging President Biden to question India’s human rights record drove around New York this week.
The speech to Congress, normally a bipartisan affirmation of a visiting leader from an allied nation, was boycotted by some liberal lawmakers, who cited the Modi government’s treatment of India’s Muslim minority.The Indian prime minister defended his record and criticised those who questioned India’s democratic character.
“Regardless of caste, creed, religion, gender, there’s absolutely no space for discrimination.”
The US president has been under pressure from activists and the Democratic Party’s progressive lawmakers who urged him to publicly raise the issue of human rights in India.
“Two great nations, two great friends, and two great powers. Cheers,” Biden told Modi in a toast at a state dinner.
Modi said in reply: “You are soft spoken, but when it comes to action, you are very strong.”
Though the countries are not formal treaty-bound allies and India has long relished its independence, Washington wants Delhi to be a strategic counterweight to China. While neither leader criticized Beijing directly in official statements, they alluded to the Xi Jinping-led government.
“The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo Pacific,” Modi told Congress. “The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership.”
After Biden and Modi spoke privately for more than two hours, a joint statement included a warning of rising tensions and destabilizing actions in the East and South China Sea and stressed the importance of international law and freedom of navigation.
“The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together, and we are,” Biden said as he welcomed Modi to the White House.
With the slightly Indian-accented dinner, the Bidens followed a White House tradition of serving guests from abroad food that has faint echoes of home with a strong American bent.
Modi is seeking to raise the status that India, the world’s most populous country at 1.4 billion and fifth-largest economy, has on the world stage as a manufacturing and diplomatic powerhouse while navigating strained ties with China.
Washington has been frustrated by India’s close ties with Russia while Moscow wages war in Ukraine. Modi avoided direct mention of Russia, but told lawmakers the conflict was “causing great pain in the region. Since it involves major powers, the outcomes are severe.”
Modi’s visit was not without controversy. The speech to Congress, normally a bipartisan affirmation of a visiting leader from an allied nation, was boycotted by some liberal lawmakers, who cited the Modi government’s treatment of India’s Muslim minority.
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