The Obama administration is turning on the charm offensive for Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month. It is rolling out the red carpet for the man Washington shunned for nearly a decade by hosting him for two days, including a private dinner with the President. A formal White House announcement said, “'President Obama looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to the White House on September 29-30, 2014” suggesting two back-to-back meetings between the leaders.
Although there was no mention of a dinner, it is believed that Obama will host one on September 29 after Modi’s arrival from New York City following three days of UN-related activity and a community reception at the Madison Square Gardens there. The formal White House bilateral and delegation level meetings will take place on September 30, with vice-president Joe Biden hosting a lunch at the state department.
The White House said the two leaders “will discuss a range of issues of mutual interest in order to expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership”, including ways to accelerate economic growth, bolster security cooperation, and “collaborate in activities that bring long term benefits to both countries and the world”. Significantly, a reference in the statement to the regional issues they will focus on included “current developments in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq”, where it said India and the United States “can work together with partners towards a positive outcome”.
“That US-India sphere of regional interest and cooperation now extends to Syria and Iraq, while making no mention of China and Pakistan, is striking at a time Washington is searching far and wide for allies. New Delhi is haunted by the prospect of ISIS and Al Qaeda making inroad into India even as the US is finding itself dragged back into wars.
Although the US-India ties are often talked up on the basis of standard tropes such as democracy and common ideals, the two sides have profound and continuing differences on trade, business, taxation, nuclear and security issues.
Modi will be staying at Blair House (right across from the White House), which typically hosts President’s guests on important official visits, often a state visit. Although the Modi trip does not qualify as a state visit, which usually involves an official banquet, hosting foreign leaders in Blair House is seen as an intimate gesture signaling heightened interest in the relationship.
Although there was no mention of a dinner, it is believed that Obama will host one on September 29 after Modi’s arrival from New York City following three days of UN-related activity and a community reception at the Madison Square Gardens there. The formal White House bilateral and delegation level meetings will take place on September 30, with vice-president Joe Biden hosting a lunch at the state department.
The White House said the two leaders “will discuss a range of issues of mutual interest in order to expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership”, including ways to accelerate economic growth, bolster security cooperation, and “collaborate in activities that bring long term benefits to both countries and the world”. Significantly, a reference in the statement to the regional issues they will focus on included “current developments in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq”, where it said India and the United States “can work together with partners towards a positive outcome”.
“That US-India sphere of regional interest and cooperation now extends to Syria and Iraq, while making no mention of China and Pakistan, is striking at a time Washington is searching far and wide for allies. New Delhi is haunted by the prospect of ISIS and Al Qaeda making inroad into India even as the US is finding itself dragged back into wars.
Although the US-India ties are often talked up on the basis of standard tropes such as democracy and common ideals, the two sides have profound and continuing differences on trade, business, taxation, nuclear and security issues.
Modi will be staying at Blair House (right across from the White House), which typically hosts President’s guests on important official visits, often a state visit. Although the Modi trip does not qualify as a state visit, which usually involves an official banquet, hosting foreign leaders in Blair House is seen as an intimate gesture signaling heightened interest in the relationship.
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