Prime Minister Modi's Interview with the Wall Street Journal: Highlights

Before his official
state visit to the United States, Prime Minister Modi granted an interview to
the Wall Street Journal on June 20. In a one-hour interview at his official
residence in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi discussed a variety of issues, such
as diplomatic relations with the United States, India’s foreign policy, a
permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, attracting investment,
the Ukraine conflict, and the current conflict with China.

Read also this:  PM Modi called his US visit a “reflection of the vigor and vitality of the US-India partnership.”

PM
Modi praises the United States’ strong connections

In the interview, Prime
Minister Modi stated, “Relations between New Delhi and Washington are
stronger and deeper than ever before as India strives to reclaim its rightful
place on the world stage amid geopolitical turmoil.”

The leaders of the
United States and India enjoy “an unprecedented level of trust,”
according to Modi. In addition, he highlighted the expanding defense cooperation between the two nations as “an important pillar of our
partnership” that extends to commerce, technology, and energy.

During this first
official state visit, it is anticipated that several significant
defense-related announcements will be made. These include the US allowing
General Electric to manufacture engines in India for its domestically produced
fighter jets, the $3 billion purchase of 31 armed MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones
manufactured by the general Atomics, and the removing of US barriers that have
prevented the trade of defence and high technology goods.

Additionally, this
highly anticipated trip to the United States is anticipated to grant India
access to vital American technologies. It is essential to note that the United
States shares such vital technologies with non-allies infrequently. This
highlights the strong connections between the two countries, which are firmly
rooted in global politics as well as business and economics.

The United States is
strengthening its ties with India despite its hostilities with Moscow and
Beijing, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. The report
emphasizes that this is occurring despite the hydrocarbon trade between India
and Russia, which they view as “financially supporting” Moscow.

In recent years, the
relationship between India and the United States has strengthened, with
economic ties playing a significant role. In 2022, bilateral trade between the
two countries attained an all-time high of $191 billion, making the United
States India’s largest trading partner. 

In addition, the United States is
India’s third greatest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and one of the
top five investment destinations for Indian investments.

India’s
foreign policy and geopolitical significance

From  India’s
role in global politics to its benefits to the global economy, Prime Minister
Modi stated firmly that the nation’s moment has arrived. The prime minister
portrayed New Delhi as the obvious leader of the global South, which coincides
with and strengthens the voice of nations that are developing and whose
aspirations have been ignored for a long time.

He stated, “India
deserves a much greater, broader, and more prominent profile and role.” In its report, the Wall
Street Journal emphasised that Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policy differs
from Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s non-alignment (NAM) policy. It
has been stated that Modi’s foreign policy consists of several alignments,
aimed at protecting India’s goals in partnership with a variety of global
powers, even those at odds with one another.

The WSJ study stated
that Modi is one of the nation’s popular prime ministers, and with nationwide
elections scheduled for the following year, Modi enjoys a high approval rating.

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