The author feels confident that Trump-Modi axis and “Close ally” relationship between US and India  will blossom for the benefit of  both countries and  promote world peace and security.

“One wonders why Trump goes out of the conventional diplomacy and protocol to woo Modi and Indian Americans.   For Trump, the single most important goal is to get reelected in 2020. Trump will do anything to add every vote from the Indian Americans.   By demonstrating his “Close ally” relationship  and reinforcing it in front of 50,000 Indian Americans, Trump wants to advertise that he is a true friend of India .   Although the majority of Indian Americans are Democrats, Trump’s friendly gesture and support of Modi and India will definitely influence  Indian Americans.”

On Sunday, September 22, 2019, President Trump will travel to Houston, Texas to underscore the important ‘Close ally” partnership between the USA and India.  History will be made when President Trump appears with Prime Minister Modi, who will address a gathering of over 50,000 Indian Americans.

This will be the first time, American TV networks, especially Fox Cable will cover Indian Prime Minister because of the presence of President Trump.  This is a huge benefit to Modi and India and an opportunity to communicate to all Americans.  I hope Prime Minister Modi will find it fit to speak in English to capitalize on the opportunity.

WHAT IS THE MEANING AND IMPACT OF TRUMP-MODI AXIS?

President Trump and Prime Minister Modi met recently in Japan.  This was followed by the G-7 meeting in France, where Modi was invited by the French President.   When Modi told Trump that he was visiting Houston to address the Indian Americans, Trump expressed interest in attending and Modi invited him.

Modi has had several meetings ever since Trump was elected President in 2016.  So far, all their meetings were friendly and cordial. If one only observed the body language contained  in the photographs covering their rather frequent encounters, bear hugs, smiles, handshakes and hand holdings one cannot but conclude that they represent true friendship and love between the USA and India.

WHY TRUMP WOOS INDIAN AMERICANS?

One wonders why Trump goes out of the conventional diplomacy and protocol to woo Modi and Indian Americans.   For Trump, the single most important goal is to get reelected in 2020.  Trump will do anything to add every vote from the Indian Americans.   By demonstrating his “Close ally” relationship  and reinforcing it in front of 50,000 Indian Americans, Trump wants to advertise that he is a true friend of India .   Although the majority of Indian Americans are Democrats, Trump’s friendly gesture and support of Modi and India will definitely influence Indian Americans.   Trump-Modi meeting in Texas will definitely have far reaching ramifications in India and the USA.  This meeting could be a footnote of all future US-India relations!

Thus, it is now well established that the Indian Americans are  an important factor in US-India relations.  They played an important role in George W Bush giving India Civil Nuclear Deal and lifting  30-year technology sanctions.   Contrast this with Trump’s new policy of allowing India to transfer 100% of all US technologies.

Trump and Modi will be speaking before the United Nations General Assembly next week.  It is also customary for the US President to meet with important leaders.  Therefore, Trump will be meeting Modi once again after his meeting in Houston.  For effective diplomacy and close friendship frequent meetings create opportunities.

U.S.—CHINA RELATIONS

President Trump has called on the American businesses to find an alternative to China.  China has violated intellectual property rights. Negotiations on trade have not been going well.  There is a tug of war with China.  One could even say there is some kind of Cold War between the US and China.

This is a great opportunity for India to capitalize.    India has a comparative advantage over China and the USA.  India has an oversupply of professionals and skilled labor.  Indian has a never- ending supply of engineers, MBA’s, biotechnologists, and other professionals.   Modi is confronted with the problem of huge unemployment.    American economy has been lagging due to shortage of engineers and technologists. India can solve this problem of America, even as providing jobs to Indians.

Geopolitically, India is the only country that can replace China in population and location. India is the largest English-speaking country in the world.  This is one of the reasons why there are more than 25 CEO’s of Indian origin in Fortune 500 corporations including Microsoft, Google, Fedex and others.  Apart from the CEOs, almost every major US .corporation has several Indians occupying senior management positions immediately below the CEO.

AFGHANISTAN

President Trump has been seeking India’s help in stabilizing Afghanistan.  India has told Trump that unless and until Pakistan withdraws its full support of Taliban, no progress could be made.  India has also convinced Trump that Pakistan must imprison the leaders of various terror organizations including LeT, JeM, JuD responsible for attacks on the city of Mumbai  and Indian Parliament.   President Trump has been pressuring Pakistan, but Pakistan so far has failed to arrest and imprison the terror leaders that the U.N. has identified.    Once Pakistan withdraws its full support to  Taliban, India should be able to help in the stability of Afghanistan.  India should be even able to send its army to help Afghanistan maintain peace and stability.

MODERNIZATION OF INDIA

President Trump has allowed Lockheed Martin, United Technologies, Boeing and others to start manufacturing sophisticated military hardware in India.  Such a venture could bring down the cost of production of military hardware for American and world consumption.   If Modi cooperates and creates favorable environment for foreign private investment, the Indian GDP could easily go up from under 6% now to 10 to 12%.   India cannot solve the unemployment problem without creating export-oriented industries. If India were to emulate what China did in 1979, India could easily modernize within the next 5 to 10 years.

I feel therefore confident that Trump-Modi axis and “Close ally” relationship will blossom for the benefit of Trump-Modi axis and “Close ally” relationship between US and India will blossom for the benefit of both countries and  promote world peace and security.

(Ven Parameswaran, Senior Adviser, Imagindia Institute, New Delhi ; Chairman, Asian American Republican Committee.  He can be reached at  vpwaren@gmail.com)