US President Joe Biden is planning to host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state dinner this summer, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move is seen as a sign of the deepening relationship between the two nations, as the Biden administration advances policies and initiatives to counter what it sees as a growing threat posed by China.
The formal state visit is expected to take place in June, though the timing may slip, according to the sources. The dinner will be Biden's third formal state visit and dinner, following previous events with French President Emmanuel Macron in December and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol scheduled for April 26.
The US-India relationship has been steadily improving over the years, with both countries recognizing the strategic importance of working together in the face of geopolitical challenges. The two nations have been collaborating on various fronts, including defense and computing technology, as well as reducing New Delhi's reliance on Moscow for military hardware.
Last month, the US and India announced an Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, which seeks to share advanced defense and computing technology, including the joint production of General Electric Co. jet engines. The partnership is intended in part to counter Russian influence in India and China's growing assertiveness.
The upcoming state dinner is expected to further strengthen the US-India relationship and demonstrate the Biden administration's commitment to building a "deep, democratic ecosystem of high technology," as National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan put it.
The US and India have also been working together in the Indo-Pacific region, with both countries being part of the Quad, a grouping that includes Australia and Japan. The Quad has been seen as a counterweight to China's growing influence in the region.
In May, Biden is expected to meet Modi again in Australia for the Quad summit, where the leaders of the four countries will discuss regional security and economic issues.
India is also set to host the Group of 20 leaders summit in New Delhi in September, where the crisis in Ukraine is likely to be one of the chief topics of discussion. It is not yet clear if Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the gathering.
India's position on the Ukraine crisis has been a matter of concern for the US and its allies, who would like to see New Delhi take a stronger stance against Russian aggression. However, the growing US-India partnership on critical technologies is expected to reduce India's dependence on Russia for military hardware and, in turn, reduce Moscow's influence in India.
In conclusion, the upcoming state dinner between Biden and Modi is a significant event that reflects the deepening relationship between the US and India. Both countries have recognized the strategic importance of working together in the face of geopolitical challenges, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The partnership on critical technologies is expected to further strengthen the US-India relationship and reduce India's reliance on Russia for military hardware, as well as counter China's growing assertiveness.