Indian-Americans are ecstatic about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first state visit to the US and his address to a joint session of Congress later this month and feel it will be a huge opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations in areas including security. cooperation, defense, trade, energy, technology and space.
During his visit from June 21 to 24 at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, Prime Minister Modi is expected to attend several events that include meetings with business leaders and several community events. Many have already booked flights to Washington, DC to witness the historic state visit.
More than 5,000 invited prominent community members from across the US will gather on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington to witness a ceremonial welcome, salute and address by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi.
This “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity given to the country’s closest allies instills a sense of pride in the community,” said Gitesh Desai, a prominent Indian-American leader and president of the Sewa International Houston Chapter.
“The invitation to address the US Congress serves as a reminder of the historic significance of the US-India relationship, which reflects a shared dream and commitment to global peace and prosperity, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region,” Desai said.
While Modi has visited the US during the span of three US presidents in his nine-year tenure, this is the first time he has been invited to a state dinner and the second time to address a joint session of Congress.
“Bilateral trade between India and the US has already increased by 7.65 percent to USD 128.55 billion in 2022-23 as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22 and USD 80.51 billion in 2020-21,” Ahluwalia said.
Eminent Vedic scholar and computer scientist, Padma Shri winner, Prof. Subhash Kak, said: “This is an interesting time in history with a serious challenge to American economic power from China.” “America wants India on its side. However, India is expected to do what suits its interests and the defensive of Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism is one of India’s core interests. Besides, India is for an open society and freedom everywhere,” said Kak, Regents Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Oklahoma State University.
“During this trip, India will focus on trade and facilitating investment by technology companies in India as the Americans hedge their bets and reduce their commitments to China. The US, in turn, would like more Indian support for the US side in the war in Ukraine, but India will hold its line because India does not want to take sides and prefers to be a third party to enable hostilities. ended with a peace framework,” he said.
Opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations in several areas including:
Indian-American businessman and IIT alumnus Jiten Agarwal, who is excited to attend the gala reception as well as address the US Congress, said, “The visit will be a tremendous opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations in several areas including: security cooperation, defense, clean energy, technology and space. India has already proven to be a major player in the global space industry as the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) recently launched 103 satellites into orbit.
An indigenous human space mission is almost ready to take humans into space. There is a huge opportunity for potential new initiatives in civil space cooperation between the two countries, which include training new Indian NASA astronauts and flying cargo on commercial lunar landers, he said.
“Wherever Prime Minister Modi goes, be it the UK, Australia or anywhere else, he electrifies the mood around the world. The Indian-American community in Dallas is excited to be a part of this historic event and expects India to seize the opportunity ahead due to the macro-geopolitical conditions,” said Dallas-based Arun Agarwal, CEO of Nextt and co-chairman of Indian American. The CEO’s board, she said.
Atlanta-based Indian-American leader Subhash Razdan, Chairman of the Gandhi Foundation, USA, and his wife Raj Razdan, President of the National Federation of Indian Associations, are delighted with the visit and firmly believe that “Modi ji’s sincerity and devotion to India is bound to seek newer orbits for the good of the Mother India.
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