A Defining Conversation: PM Modi and Trump
In what would be a surprise visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India may meet Donald Trump in the U.S. with two months into the U.S. elections. This comes at a time when their tensions between the Democratic establishment and other foreign governments are buckling up over perceived electoral interference. The political climate is heating up, and this meeting spells out one giant moment in U.S.-India relations.
History Repeats: Earlier Meddling
It is barely four months since this controversy occurred in India, when Washington too faced allegations of meddling. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs had publicly announced that such reports, like the Religious Freedom one, were intended to interfere with the electoral process. The air is charged with allegations, and the tale about external interference in elections keeps changing, making this Modi-Trump summit all the more interesting.
Strengthening Bonds: Quad Summit and Indian Diaspora
During his three-day visit from September 21-23, PM Modi will be attending a Quad leaders’ summit and will have interactions with the Indian Diaspora in New York. Indian diaspora is strategic for U.S. elections too as apart from financing the elections, they have also emerged as a decisive voting bloc in American elections. This meeting depicts Modi’s strategic focus on bettering ties with this community, which may likely influence the U.S.’s upcoming elections.
Alliances Navigation: Tech Titans and Strategic Partnerships
For Modi’s visit, meetings with high tech CEOs will be another center-piece. Traditionally aligned with the Democratic Party, big tech has increasingly changed its support towards Trump. This would indicate that political allegiances among these big tech lobbies could see a realignment. With this tech lobby that sees India as a rising investment destination, the possibility of the two can deepen economic ties and political support equally.
A Stance against the “Deep State”
The scheduled meet is also seen as a declaration against what the majority of the American populace now refers to as the “deep state.” Modi’s overture to Trump speaks of a series of counter-moves against perceived electoral interference. Ganging up with Trump and the new tech lobbying front, Modi has the right to signal that India would not take kindly to outside political pressure.
