Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to commence his state visit to the United States in the third week of June.
It is assumed that the main purpose of this visit would be diplomatic negotiations. It is possible that the Prime Minister may visit New York on the 21st of June which is celebrated as International Yoga Day.
This visit is going to be a crucial visit keeping in mind the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The United States and India have been strategic partners for many years. The two leaders last met at the G20 summit held last year in Bali, Indonesia.
India and the United States are members of I2U2 (also including Israel and the UAE) and QUAD which also includes Australia and Japan.
Source- The Daily Guardian
INDIA-UNITED STATES RELATIONS
The United States-India has announced a partnership on Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030. Recently a newly modeled version of the U.S. India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) was announced, where in India and the US decided to engage across all five pillars of cooperation those are-
1) Power and Energy Efficiency
2) Responsible Oil and Gas
3) Renewable Energy
4) Sustainable Growth
5) Emerging Fuels
Under the energy and climate sector, India and the United States have a priority initiative called PACE (Partnership to Advance Clean Energy). The governments of both countries have also signed JCERDC (Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Centre), this initiative is aimed to promote clean energy innovations by scientists of both the countries.
The India-U.S bilateral cooperation is multi-sectoral covering majorly trade and investment, defense, security, education, science and technology etc. India and the U.S. have many high-level dialogue.
mechanisms established like the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue (led by heads of foreign and defense ministers of both countries), India- U.S Commercial Dialogue., Economic and Financial Partnership, and Trade policy forum.
India conducts the most bilateral exercises with the U.S. than with any other country like Tiger Triumph ( Indian Army and Navy with US Navy), Vajra Prahar, Yudh Abhyas, Cope India, and Malabar Exercise.
In 2016, India was recognized as a Major Defence partner by the U.S. In 2018, India was elevated to Tier 1 of the Strategic Trade Authorization (STA) license. This helped further to facilitate the sharing of advanced and sensitive technology.
In 2020 the two countries signed BECA (Basic Exchange Cooperation Agreement), this agreement will help India get access to the American geospatial intelligence system. This help in enhancing the precision of automatic systems and armed drones and missiles. This will also increase India’s accessibility to topographical and aeronautical data and will aid in navigation too.
In 2021, both countries with an agenda to counter terrorism organized a consultation under India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Under this both, both countries promised to extend their cooperation on information sharing and increase their strategic compatibility.
In 2020-21, the US was India’s second-largest trading partner. In 2014, India and the US established a bilateral Investment Initiative aimed at easing out Foreign Direct Investment, Portfolio investment and development of the capital market.
But over a period of time, both countries have seen some downs in their relationship too as the US has often been seen as questioning India’s proximity with Russia. The US’s cap on H-1B Visas has also been a point of contention between the two countries. The United States government has also often complained about India’s complex custom clearance procedures which according to their officials have often caused delays and increased costs and uncertainties.
Overall, if we analyze the relationship and political dynamics shared by both the countries in the international market and community, both countries are often seen on the positive ends of it. Both sides are often seen supporting each other in the UN on various issues and are seen as cordial partners in various agreements and political meets.
