The Indian Prime Minister and America’s Modi
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's latest visit to the United States has been quite different from his previous trips. This marks his seventh visit as Prime Minister since taking office in 2014, but it stands out due to several notable factors. Unlike on earlier occasions when he was welcomed by his enthusiastic American supporters, this time there were voices of protest against him at least from some quarters. he also faced media's questions which he did not have to answer even in his own country. The protests were organized by leading democratic and human rights organizations in the United States, who also held various events to express their concerns. The international media extensively covered the sight of trucks driving through the streets displaying banners and digital screens with protest slogans against Modi and his government, which has been accused of targeting minorities. Some digital screens even referred to Modi as the 'Crime Minister of India'. The hashtag campaign 'Modi Not Welcome' gained traction on Twitter as well. Notably, even former President Barack Obama expressed concern over Modi's treatment of minorities. And in the backdrop of these protest, during a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden, Modi faced a question from a Wall Street Journal reporter which discomfited Modi. There are some view these protests and discomfiture as positive signs of democratic recovery.
As the Lok Sabha elections are only months away, the country seems to be sliding further into a path of increasing fascism. This can be observed through the recurring incidents of caste violence, violence against minorities, killings, and the arrests of civil rights activists, intellectuals, and academics. Additionally, there have been anti-Dalit and anti-tribal approaches, as well as controversial parliamentary actions like the Citizenship Amendment Act. What we need to know now is whether there is anything left in the agenda that was prepared when the government came into power. Most recently, steps have been taken to implement the Uniform Civil Code. However, when assessing the accomplishments of the Modi government during this period, the disturbing figures of democratic and ethnic violence take prominence. The much-hyped "economic reforms," such as demonetisation, intended to drive the country towards development, have resulted in severe hardships, even leading to instances of starvation. These records of "excellence" in governance have been convincingly presented by the opposition to the people, resulting in a significant blow to Hindutva in states like Karnataka. And it was an echo of these that Modi had to encounter in the United States. Despite a state-backed poaching group causing the deaths of minority tribes in Manipur for fifty days, the Prime Minister has not taken care to utter a single word on the incidents. It was particularly ironic that such a person was speaking about the glory of democracy addressing the US Congress. However, some members of the Senate boycotted the event avoiding being a witness to the curious scene and recognizing the underlying absurdity. The dissent of Obama can also be read together with this.
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Did the recent visit result in significant achievements beyond the customary diplomatic drama? While announcements of contracts in areas like defence, technology, and space research may not be ground-breaking, they represent a natural progression of the diplomatic rapprochement between the two countries that has been ongoing. India has made some gains in these areas. Notably, the proposed agreement opens avenues for collaboration between the Indian scientific community and America's Artemis project, which aims to send a man again to the moon which is a no small gain. Additionally, an Indian astronaut would have the opportunity to travel to the International Space Station. The transfer of technology in the form of fighter jets and assistance in semiconductor research will prove beneficial for India in the future. However, it is important to acknowledge that these agreements come with an implicit expectation for India to align with the US in a potential superpower conflict with China. Some have already expressed concerns that this could result in further straining relations with China. Considering this perspective, it is crucial to approach these new diplomatic deals with caution to ensure they do not become a potential entanglement.
