Modi
Makes a Mark in America
By
T.P.Sreenivasan
Prime
Minister Narendra Modi joins President Barack Obama at the White House dinner
table at the end of his first round of consultations with who is who on the
global scene. He has met the heads of India’s neighbouring countries, attended
the BRICS summit, visited Bhutan, Nepal and Japan and played host to the
leaders of China and Australia, not to speak of many others leaders, who came
calling. In the US itself, he made a mark at the United Nations with a
restrained and forward looking speech and received a rock star style welcome from
Indian Americans. At his meeting with the CEOs of major US corporations and at
the Council on Foreign Relations, he spoke impressively on his economic and
international agenda.
The
significance of Modi’s meeting at the White House is that it will resuscitate a
strategic partnership between India and the US, which had remained on hold for
nearly five years on account of paralysis of the Government in India and other
preoccupations in the United States. Obama cannot but take note of the events
of the last three months of Modi’s performance in India and abroad as he sizes
up the man who has taken up the reins of the largest democracy in the world.
Nothing
in Modi’s domestic or foreign policy should be a matter of concern to Obama.
Modi’s domestic agenda, consisting of a liberalized and foreign investment
friendly economy and a strengthened defense sector is conducive to the growth
of India-US cooperation. His neighbourhood policy and interactions with Japan,
China, Russia, Israel and Australia have given no reason for concern for the
US. His position on international terrorism that it is a crime against humanity
and that the ISIS activities are a challenge to mankind, against which all
people should unite coincides with Obama’s own worldview. His assertion that
terrorism in India is not home grown and that Indian Muslims will defeat Al
Qaeda would be much appreciated. On Afghanistan, he hinted at a continuing role
for the US in the troubled nation. Therefore, even if all the irritants in
India-US relations are not removed at their first meeting, the two leaders are
sure to hit on well.
Modi’s
maiden speech at the United Nations was striking for its restraint and realism,
though his using a prepared text detracted from his oratorical skills. He was
firm on Pakistan when he made it clear that India will engage in a dialogue
with Pakistan only in an atmosphere free of violence and terrorism. He dealt
with the issue of terrorism in the larger context of the world and called upon
the United Nations to adopt a comprehensive convention against terrorism, which
India had proposed years ago. He stated that India’s whole philosophy is one of
treating the whole world as a family. He was restrained even when he spoke of
the need for expansion of the UN Security Council, as he did so without
reiterating India’s own claim. He urged unity in the United Nations suggesting
that, instead of breaking into various groups, it should act as a “G-All”.
The
unprecedented rock star reception accorded to Modi at the Madison Square Garden
(MSG) reflected the genuine admiration and expectation on the part of the
Indian Americans that he will transform India. The Indian Americans extend
support to India selectively. They were critical of Indian policies at times,
but fully supportive on other occasions, like at the time of the nuclear deal.
The
1% Indian American population, which is not only prosperous, but also in
crucial professions, has considerable influence. That explains why several
Senators and Congressmen, including the Chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee and the equivalent body in the House and a Governor were at
hand to greet Modi. The India Caucus in the Congress and the Friends of India
in the Senate are the offshoots of the growing clout of the Indian Americans in
US politics. President Barack Obama cannot but take into account the tremendous
enthusiasm of the significant 1% of his people for the new leader of the
largest democracy. The very purpose of the Madison Square Garden extravaganza
was exactly that. Of course, Obama had anticipated the phenomenon when he
appointed Nisha Biswal, Arun Kumar and now Richard Verma to take care of
crucial positions in the US administration.
The
MSG event was more important for its symbolism and implications for the future
than for what was said or done there. But Modi could be trusted to say the
right things at the right time. He harped basically on three themes---how the
overseas Indians, particularly, Indian Americans, have raised India’s standing
and prestige abroad, the greatness of India, old and new and his personal
promise to meet the expectations by sheer dint of hard work.
Modi’s
image of the Indians of today playing with the computer mouse rather than the
proverbial snake was a compliment not only to India but also the overseas
Indians, who spearheaded the IT revolution in the world. He thanked the Indian
Americans for keeping awake with bated breath during the Indian elections, even
though they could not participate in the vote. Many had even gone to India to
provide support to him, he said.
Modi
was at his best in waxing eloquent on Indian heritage and its potential. Gandhi
created the freedom movement and he is determined to create a clean India
movement. Indian is a young nation with an ancient history. With his penchant
to create alphabetical soups for all occasions, he spoke of three Ds this
time--Democracy, Demographic dividend and Demand—which would drive India.
Having not taken even a “fifteen minutes vacation” since he assumed office, he
would work tirelessly to keep up the promise he had given to the people.
He
invited every one to participate in the Make in India program.
As
expected, Modi spoke eloquently about ‘Mangalayan’, the highly successful Mars
mission, which took India to the galaxy of four Mars explorers. In Gujarat, an
auto rikshaw ride costs rupees ten per kilometer, but the journey to the Mars cost
only rupees seven per kilometer, an argument against the charge of extravagance
voiced by some. Though the Mars mission was launched before Modi’s emergence,
he took the full credit for it.
Modi
announced some consular concessions to overseas Indians, but not the dual
citizenship, the long cherished dream of the Indian Americans. Many had
expected him to announce it, going beyond the Person of Indian Origin (PIO)
card and the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, put in place by previous
Governments. He must have explored it and realized that dual citizenship was
not feasible for various reasons, including constitutional constraints.
Lifelong visa for PIO card holders is, however, an improvement. His own visa
issue appeared to be behind his comment that India was offering visa on arrival
to those who are reluctant to give visas to Indians.
Modi
was unconcerned about
the
fact that he was addressing essentially foreign nationals , who owe their
allegiance to the US than to India. He also ignored the fact that many of them
did not follow Hindi. In fact, some in the audience had challenged Atal Behari
Vajpayee in 2000, when he spoke in Hindi at an Indian community function in
Washington. When Vajpayee said that that he had spoken in Hindi even at the UN,
he was told that he had the facility of simultaneous interpretation at the UN.
At MSG, the mood was so exuberant that what he said was less important than the
privilege of being with him.
Modi
did not dwell at length on India-US relations, even though US policy makers
were present, perhaps because he wanted to hold his horses till he reached
Washington. But the word must have reached Obama loudly and clearly that a
significant 1% of his people saw Modi as a messiah of change in India and that
partnership with him will benefit the US in meeting the global challenges of
the future. The euphoria of MSG will definitely reverberate in the White House
and the man, who was once a Persona Non Grata in the US, will be warmly
received. Obama is sure to seek his counsel on Ukraine, ISIS, South China Sea
and Afghanistan and seek to resolve problems relating to the nuclear deal,
defense cooperation and investment.
The
Modi magic is bound to make an impact on Obama and the American public. More
than anything else, his message of peace, non-violence, development and a
liberalized economy has been carried to the wide American public opinion.
Pepsico’s Indra Nooyi encapsulated the American response, when she said, “Great
Prime Minister, answers questions brilliantly. He is very focused on improving
India and we are ready to work with him.”
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