Obama prepares for Dhokla diplomacy with NaMo

Washington: It is unusual for a foreign leader to go to the White House on two separate days. “The fact that there will be interactions over two days is a signal of the importance we place on the US-India relationship,” said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden. 

“The two leaders will discuss a range of issues of mutual interest in order to expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership,” said a White House statement. “They will discuss ways to accelerate economic growth, bolster security cooperation, and collaborate in activities that bring long-term benefits to both countries and the world.”

Washington has wasted no time in trying to court Modi, who was seen as less keen to engage the US than his predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh, who had a close relationship with President Obama.

The meetings, on September 29 and 30, will take place on Modi’s first visit to Washington since he led the BJP to a landslide victory in the May elections.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel have already travelled to India to meet the new prime minister.

Though Washington sees rising India as a democratic counterweight to the region’s other emerging power, China, things have not gone completely smoothly.

Kerry had expressed the US disappointment over India’s refusal to ratify WTO trade deal on streamlining customs procedures and boosting global commerce. India argued that the pact’s market opening requirements could prejudice its efforts to lift up its poorest citizens.