Narendra Modi is a controversial figure. Some people love him for his achievements as the Prime Minister of India, while others despise him for his strict Hindu beliefs and his policies toward Muslims.
Regardless of your feelings about Modi, one thing is indisputable: He is a powerful political figure. And that power has led to some big changes in the United States changes that are likely to have a significant impact on the way we do business and the economy.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the changes Modi has brought to the United States and what they mean for businesses and consumers. From trade relations to taxation to immigration policy, read on to learn more about what Modi has done in America so far and what he plans to do in the future.
Modi in the United States
Since taking office in 2014, Narendra Modi has been a highly sought-after global visitor. This year he is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the United States since 1984 and the only world leader to be given a standing ovation at a joint session of Congress.
Modi’s visit was widely seen as an attempt to strengthen bilateral ties and revive trade which had declined significantly in recent years. Modi met with President Obama at the White House on Monday and also held talks with other top US officials including Secretary of State John Kerry, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, Defence Secretary Ash Carter, and National Security Adviser Susan Rice.
In addition to economic ties, Modi’s visit focused on strengthening cooperation in defense and counter-terrorism issues. The two nations have cooperated extensively on these fronts in recent years, with India providing support for US operations in Afghanistan and contributing troops to international peacekeeping missions.
The two leaders also discussed ways to expand cooperation in energy, agriculture, and trade. Modi’s visit comes as US-India relations are experiencing a period of renewed vigor. The countries are working together more than ever before on regional issues such as North Korea and terrorism while increasing defense cooperation.
These developments illustrate the potential for greater bilateral ties between India and the United States as both nations work to address global challenges such as climate change and rising refugee numbers.
Modi’s Foreign Policy Doctrine
The Indo-US Strategic Partnership Agreement, which was signed on July 25, 2015, in Washington D.C., reflects the Modi government’s intent to strengthen ties with the United States and bolster cooperation in a wide range of areas including defense, trade, investment, and counter-terrorism.
The agreement is seen as an important step in deepening bilateral ties between the two countries. Modi’s foreign policy doctrine has been broadly described as “pro-active” and “non-interventionist.” His approach is based on the belief that India should take a leading role in regional affairs and play a constructive role in global multilateral institutions such as the United Nations.
However, Modi has also been vocal about India’s right to self-defense and has not hesitated to use force when necessary. In his inaugural speech, Modi outlined five key pillars of his foreign policy: strengthening economic ties with neighboring countries; expanding India’s footprint abroad through proactive diplomacy;
promoting regional integration; building strong relationships with international organizations such as the UN; and improving relations with traditional allies like America. Modi has pursued these objectives by engaging both regional powers and major players like China and Russia.
Notable Achievements under Modi’s Foreign Policy Doctrine:
- Strengthening economic ties with Neighboring Countries: In 2016, India became the world’s fastest-growing economy according to World Bank projections. This growth has been driven largely by exports which have increased by 28% over the past year. In addition, India has signed several trade deals with major economies including America, China, and Europe.
- Expanding India’s footprint abroad through proactive diplomacy: Modi has made a number of highly visible visits to key foreign capitals, including Beijing, Moscow, and Washington D.C. This proactive approach has helped improve India’s image and strengthened ties with key partners.
- Promoting regional integration: In his inaugural speech, Modi outlined his vision for “Global India.” This includes efforts to promote regional economic integration through initiatives like the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
- Building strong relationships with international organizations such as the UN: India is a member of a number of important international organizations, including the United Nations Security Council and the G-20. Modi has worked to strengthen relations with these organizations in order to increase India’s voice in global forums.
- Improving relations with traditional allies like America: Modi has made it a priority to Improve relations with America which have been strained by several issues including trade disputes and allegations of human rights abuses.
The Modi Government and the Indian Diaspora
The Narendra Modi-led Indian Government has been trying to improve its relationship with the Indian Diaspora for a long time. In September 2014, PM Modi made a speech in New York City where he emphasized the importance of the diaspora and pledged to increase ties between India and the United States.
The Modi government has made many changes in how it interacts with the diaspora, including increasing visas for Indians, increasing trade and investment opportunities, and increasing scholarships for students from India.
The government also created an envoy position for the diaspora, which it has filled with people who have experience working with both the Indian government and the diaspora. This increased communication is important because it helps to build bridges between India and its diaspora while also highlighting common interests.
One of the most important changes that have happened under Modi’s tenure is that there is now a much greater sense of national identity among Indians living outside of India. This change was evident when Modi won the election in 2014, as many Indians living abroad voted for him because they felt that he represented their country better than his opponents did.
This change in mindset is important because it means that instead of feeling like foreigners in their own country, Indians abroad are now proud to be part of India’s global community.
Modi’s Economic Agenda
During his visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined his economic agenda, which focuses on creating employment opportunities, reviving stalled investment, and accelerating infrastructure development. Negotiations for a trade agreement between India and the US are also high on Modi’s agenda.
Modi has made it a priority to promote investments in India, which has been struggling with slow growth and high levels of unemployment. He plans to increase investment by $500 billion over the next five years and create 100 million jobs. To encourage businesses to invest in India, Modi has cut business taxes and increased access to credit.
In addition to promoting private sector investments, Modi is also focused on increasing public sector spending. He plans to spend $1 trillion over the next five years on infrastructure projects, including building new airports, highways, and railways. The goal is to make India more accessible and competitively priced for businesses.
The prime minister is also trying to revive stalled investment by expanding access to credit and improving the business climate. His government has introduced measures such as reducing red tape and simplifying the tax system.
Modi and China
There has been a lot of speculation about what Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping will discuss when they meet in California this week. But one thing is for sure: the bilateral relationship between India and China is going to be a key focus.
Both countries are looking to strengthen ties in a number of areas, from defense to trade. And while there have been tensions in the past – most notably over Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea – those seem to be mostly resolved these days.
So what can we expect from Modi and Xi’s meeting? Here are four things to keep an eye on.
Conclusion
As India gears up for the upcoming US Presidential Election, it’s important to remember that no one candidate represents all of India. Modi is a prime example of this – he has been successful in governing Gujarat and his policies have appealed to both the business community and Hindu nationalists. There are plenty of questions still unanswered about Modi’s plans for America, but with eight years under his belt as Prime Minister, we think he is a good bet for President.
