By Dr. Arvind Kumar, President, India Water Foundation
In the ‘New Normal’ that has come to prevail in the wake of subsiding of the adverse impacts of COVID-19, the virtual meetings at national, regional and global levels are gradually being replaced by in-person meetings. Recent months have witnessed flurry of activity gaining momentum nationally and internationally. Accordingly, PM Modi’s visit to the United States on 22-25 September served three-pronged purpose – participation in the in-person Quad meeting convened in Washington, addressing the 76th session of the UN General Assembly; and exchange of views with leaders of the United States – and, it can be said that PM Modi’s visit proved instrumental in serving multipurpose objectives for India. Owing to the awe and fear of the global pandemic, India’s interaction with the international community and the United States, though carried out through virtual meetings, had somewhat been lacking in momentum that could only be galvanized through in-person meetings and live exchange of views across the table.
Quad In-Person Meeting
Quad comprises four countries – Australia, India, Japan and the United States; and on 24 September 2021, President Biden of the US had convened a meeting of Quad member countries at the White House that was said to be the first-ever in-person Leaders’ Summit of the Quad. At this summit, the leaders put forth ambitious initiatives that could further ties between the member countries of the Quad and advance practical cooperation on 21st-century challenges that interalia included ending the COVID-19 pandemic, including by increasing production and access to safe and effective vaccines; promoting high-standards infrastructure; combatting the climate crisis; partnering on emerging technologies, space, and cybersecurity; and cultivating next-generation talent in all of member countries.
In his opening remarks at the Quad Summit, PM Modi said that four member countries of the present Quad had first come together to help the Indo-Pacific region in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami; and currently, when the entire world is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the Quad member countries have once again joined hands together in the larger interest of the humankind. He hoped that Quad vaccine initiative will be of tremendous help to Indo-Pacific countries. Asserting that Quad, based on its shared democratic values, had decided to move forwardwith positive thinking and positive approach, PM Modi said that he would be happy to discuss with his counterparts to discuss on issues whether it is supply chain or global security, climate change or COVID-19 or cooperation in technology. Hoping that Quad will work in a way in the role of ‘force for global good’, PM Modi expressed his confidence that mutual cooperation in Quad would ensure peace and prosperity in Indo-Pacific and the world.
Joint Statement issued at the end of the summit reiterated commitment of the Quad for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, resolution of disputes, democratic values and territorial integrity of states. It emphasized on the rules-based behaviour in a region where China has been trying to flex its muscles. While voicing support for small island states, especially those in the Pacific in order to augment their economic and environmental resilience, the joint statement also called upon North Korea to engage in diplomacy over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programme, which North Korea has declined to accede to unless international sanctions against it were dropped.
Address to UN General Assembly
Occasion of the visit of PM Modi to the United States took place at a time when the 76th session of the UN General Assembly was in session. In his address to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on 24 September 2021, PM Modi cited inspirational quotes from Indiansaints, leaders and men of literature to bring home his message to the members of international community. Quoting Acharya Chanakya, who had said, “When the right action is not taken at the right time, then it is time itself that causes the action to fail”, the Indian PM cautioned that if the UN has to keep itself relevant, then it is essential for it to improve its effectiveness and enhance its reliability. Emphasizing on the need of strengthening the UN to safeguard the global order, global laws and global values, Modi alluded to various types of questions being raised about the United Nations that often pertained to climate crisis and role of the world body during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Referring to the opprobrium being heaped on World Health Organization (WHO) since the COVID-19 outbreak that first surfaced in China in December 2019 and subsequent handling of the global pandemic by WHO, PM Modi also expressed concern over the proxy wars going on in many parts of the world, terrorism and the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan and said these and other related issues had highlighted the seriousness of question confronting the world body. With regard to the origin of COVID-19 pandemic and ease of doing business, PM Modi told the General Assembly that institutions of global governance had almost eroded their credibility they had been to build after decades of hard work. He also referred to the World Bank’s recent move of discontinuing flagship Doing Business publication, alluding to ‘data irregularities’ in recent editions of the global business climate index, because the decision was taken in the aftermath of a probe by the World Bank with regard to data irregularities allegedly owing to pressure from some top bank officials to boost China’s ranking in 2017.
Emphasizing on the essentiality of constantly strengthening the UN for the protection of global order, global laws and global values, Prime Minister Modi concluded his address to the UN General Assembly with the words of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in Bangla that said, “Move forward fearlessly on your auspicious path of action. May all weaknesses and doubted be eliminated,” and added that this message is as relevant to the UN in today’s context as it is to every responsible country: “I am confident that all of us will strive to enhance peace and harmony in the world, make the world healthy, safe and prosperous.”
Strengthening Indo-US Relations
During his visit to the United States, PM Modi had meetings with US President, Joe Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris and other officials of Biden Administration, business leaders and others. In his meetings with the US President and Vice-President, PM Modi exchanged views on bilateral, regional and global issues. Remarks by President Biden before the bilateral meeting explicitly demonstrated that for the US the focus issues of the meeting were the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and the situation in the Indo-Pacific region. Nevertheless, remarks by the Indian Prime Minister indicated that for India the big focus was on India’s anxiety to become a technology and trade partner, playing a complimentary role. In his meeting with the US Vice-President Kamala Harris on 24 September 2021, PM Modi exchanged views on bilateral, regional and global issues. Speaking to the media persons after Modi-Harris meeting, India’s Foreign Secretary informed that the focus was also on the issue of Pakistan’s role in terrorism and the need for Islamabad to check itself.
The Joint Statement issued after Modi-Biden meeting on 24 September articulated the affirmation of clear vision of India and the US that would guide the US-India relationship forward through building a strategic partnership and working together with regional groupings, including ASEAN and Quad members; promoting shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond; developing a trade and investment partnership that increases prosperity for working families in both countries; finishing the fight against the COVID-19 and other health challenges; galvanizing global efforts to scale up climate action; strengthening democratic values and institutions in support of people in two countries; and enhancing people-to-people ties that have made both the US and India stronger. The Joint Statement also reflected the resolve of both countries to advance the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and looked forward to what the United States and India will achieve.
Way Forward
PM Modi’s visit to the US has been very fruitful in promoting bilateral relations in different fields and renewing India’s desire to continue to foster closer cooperation with Washington under the Biden Administration. Cooperation between New Delhi and Washington has already been an ongoing process in different fields like, health, counter-terrorism, trade and investment and other areas of mutual interests. However, some critics lament that no major breakthrough agreement either in defence sector or trade could be signed during this visit; nonetheless, with the passage of time such agreements are likely to see the light of the day if both countries continue to improve their relations.
