Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the US for a six-day trip that comes in the midst of a number of geopolitical and trade-related tensions. This will be his first US visit after winning a second term as prime minister.
To unpack what exactly the two world leaders will discuss in their meeting, Bloomberg Quint’s Kaushik Vaidya speaks to Michael Kugelman, Deputy Director of the Asia programme at the Wilson Centre and Ambassador Neelam Deo, Co-founder and Director of Gateway House.
Announcement on Trade Likely
Ambassador Deo said that there were some rumours of an imminent trade announcement particularly with commerce minister Piyush Goyal participating in trade discussions.
“There might be some trade announcement. Goyal has has also been involved in trade talks. As of now, there is no indication on how that exchange will go, whether India will cede to some of US’s demands or whether US will restore certain privileges given to India that had been removed.
‘Securities Side of Modi-Trump Relationship Most Successful’
Stating that there might not be any announcement, Kugelman said that this aspect of the relationship between the two heads of state was the fastest-growing and the most enduring.
“There will be some concrete items, in terms of the only remaining foundational agreement to be signed between the two countries,” he said.
He also pointed out that the multi-billion dollar S-400 missile system deal between Russia and India was a “big deal” and said that it indicated problems not just with the commercial side of things in bilateral relations of the two countries.
“The S-400 deal is a big issue. It shows that there are bones of contention not just on the commercial side. The US is not happy with the deal going through but wont get in the way of the partnership,” he said.
No Big Changes to Immigration Policies Affecting Indians
Ambassador Deo said that with the US entering its election cycle, the debate around the issue of immigration was centered around the issues of illegal immigrants, wall-building and diverting military funds for the construction of the wall bordering Mexico.
”The H1B visa issue that concerns India the most has not been raised in recent times. so I don’t anticipate the hardening or softening on technical personnel from India going to the US,” she said.
Will the Kashmir Issue Overshadow PM Modi’s Trip?
Kugelman said that the Kashmir issue and the post-370 flux will follow Modi through his trip to the US.
“We know that PM Modi will not try to bring up the K-word, so to speak, but it remains to be seen what President Trump says and does. In a press conference recently, Trump himself brought up his good relationship with Pakistan and India both, so it’s clear that the president has Kashmir on his mind as he might be meeting PM Khan later on. You never know what he is going to say in an unscripted interaction.”
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