The overwhelming reception accorded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his state visit to the US is a matter of pride for all Indians across the globe, not just those in America. For, there is no doubt that today there is no leader who is greater than Modi in terms of charisma and statesmanship. Lakhs of people in the US waited eagerly to have a glimpse of Modi. Indians had tied banners across the US to welcome him.
A US woman told TV channels that she had seen several heads of state visiting the USA but had never come across such a large number of people waiting on the streets playing musical instruments, showering petals, waving Indian and US flags, and singing Hindi songs expressing their joy to welcome Modi. What is the reason for all this? People have unbounded love and affection for Modi.
Upon taking the reins of the Union government, all of Modi’s words and deeds have reflected patriotism. He introduced the concept of ‘India first’. At all the places he visited in the USA, he highlighted the greatness of India. He hailed the efforts made by every NRI for development of India. The NRIs present at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC, International Trade Center felt jubilant on seeing Modi and raised slogans like ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat mata ki jai’. During the speech he delivered at the American Congress, Congress members gave standing ovation to him 15 times. Hundreds of elected people’s representatives lined up to get Modi’s autograph and got selfies clicked with Modi. As part of the International Yoga Day, representatives of 139 countries participated in a yoga session led by Modi at the UNO headquarters in New York. Hundreds of US industrialists and CEOs evinced interest to invest in India.
Has there been a precedent of any Prime Minister, prior to Modi, receiving such a huge response? As for the treaties signed with the US, Modi prioritized his government’s Make in India policy. There have been no precedents of the USA transferring technology on such a large scale to India. The General Electric of the US has agreed to transfer jet engine technology relating to the MK-2 war planes to be made by the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). Accordingly, HAL will acquire the capabilities of developing jet engines in India. In space technology too, NASA has agreed to cooperate with ISRO completely to help put Indians in space station. In the semi-conductor sector, several US companies evinced interest to invest in India. Modi’s tour of the US paved the way for cooperation in transfer of modern technology in joint research by Indian and US start-ups in the defence sector.
In sum, the US tour of Modi will enhance the image of India among global nations. The USA and many other nations have recognised India’s potential to give a tough competition to China, which has been expanding rapidly and creating financial and security problems to India and other nations. The more empowered India is militarily and financially, the greater would be the resistance offered by the country to the China’s hegemonistic advancements in the Indo-Pacific region.
Several nations have realised the importance of democratic India, which is an amalgamation of various culture, emerging as a global power to herald peace everywhere. They believe that India can take initiative in resolving several international problems, including the Ukraine war. These countries have recognised the role of India in checking global terrorism. The US, in a joint statement issued with India, supported permanent membership of India in the UN Security Council.
In stark contrast, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while touring the US 10 days prior to Modi’s visit, lambasted Modi, and the Union Government. Rahul Gandhi is not able to realise that it is indecorous to speak ill about India and its leaders on foreign soil. Sam Pitroda, who had arranged Rahul’s tour of the US, passed abusive remarks against Lord Sri Ram and other Indian deities. The Jamat-e-Islami, terrorist organisations of Pak origin, organisations that fuel separatism in Kashmir and other organisations that debase India’s image on the pretext of human rights and religious freedom tried to mobilise people for Rahul Gandhi’s event and provided funds.
The US tours of Modi and Rahul Gandhi reflect two different perspectives of diverse forces that are going to lock horns for power in the forthcoming General Election in India. On the one hand, one sees a patriotic leader like Narendra Modi who yearns that his every step should strive for development of India; and, on the other hand, one comes across Rahul Gandhi, who lowers the image of the country and ignores the interests of the country. People know whom to choose among the two on the D-day.
