Opinion | Modi in the US: PM should have cancelled his visit

Indian leaders' visits to the United States have frequently raised questions about their tangible benefits, with many visits appearing to achieve little beyond diplomatic formalities. This trend has been highlighted recently, with leaders such as Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi making high-profile trips to the U.S., often leaving behind a trail of controversy rather than substantial outcomes.

Rahul Gandhi's Visit

Take Rahul Gandhi's recent U.S. visit, for example. During an event in Virginia, Gandhi made remarks about the supposed marginalization of Sikhs in India, claiming that the country is grappling with fundamental issues like whether Sikhs will be allowed to wear turbans or practice their religion freely. This comment sparked a political firestorm back home, with many pointing out that Sikh rights are protected and respected in India. Notably, prominent Sikh leaders, including former Indian Prime Ministers, have openly worn their religious symbols without restriction. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, also a turban-wearing Sikh, criticized Gandhi's comments as baseless, contrasting them with the tragic anti-Sikh riots of 1984, for which his Congress party has long been held accountable. Gandhi’s remarks, rather than fostering constructive dialogue, seemed to fuel a narrative of division and played into long-standing political rivalries.

Beyond individual comments, Rahul Gandhi has struggled to lead the Congress party effectively, failing to inspire confidence even among his own party members. Under his leadership, the Congress has faced significant and repeated electoral defeats. It is only now that he has found a modicum of success. The Congress party has to recover and rebuild its position rather get into these kinds of needless controversies. 

Modi's Trip to the US

Prime Minister Modi, while far better than Gandhi in style, is no better in substance. His visit to the U.S. is framed around the Quad summit—a significant diplomatic forum involving the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia. However, this summit is overshadowed by recent tensions, particularly regarding allegations that the Indian government may have been involved in the assassination of Sikh separatist leaders abroad, including in the U.S. President Joe Biden had previously backed out of a scheduled Quad summit in India following similar accusations about India’s role in Sikh-related incidents.

This ongoing diplomatic dance between India and the U.S. often appears to be a game of mutual convenience rather than meaningful partnership. The U.S., while being an ally in key areas like defense and economic cooperation, has shown a readiness to distance itself from India over even unproven allegations, as seen in the abrupt cancellation of Biden's visit to India in 2023. This inconsistency is glaring, especially considering the U.S.'s own aggressive stance on terrorism and its willingness to neutralize threats when it suits their national interests. When India faces similar allegations, and without concrete evidence—the response from the West is entirely hypocritical.

New charges against India

Now, with Modi on another high-profile visit, fresh charges against Indian officials relating to alleged Sikh assassinations emerged, casting a long shadow over his trip. The timing of these developments raises suspicions of clear and deliberate political maneuvering.

If India’s leadership continues to tolerate such diplomatic snubs and allegations without holding their counterparts accountable, it is perceived as effete and pusillanimous. Modi’s decision to continue with this visit, despite the ongoing controversies, signals a willingness to engage with a partner that has repeatedly shown indifference and disdain towards its domestic concerns.

The Russia Pakistan Play

Worse, this is a failure of the foreign policy espoused by Minister S Jaishankar who has openly stated in a conference with the rather colorless, but highly effective US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken. He told his counterpart that if he has “many friends” that makes him “smarter”.  

The only problem?  India is being befriended by no one and laughed at by all. Just days ago, Russia supported Pakistan’s entry to BRICS, albeit with paeans about a consensus. The reality, however, is that Russia also shepherded Pakistan’s entry to the INSTC just a few months ago.

The question remains: what does India truly gain from these high-profile visits? Aside from photo opportunities and vague affirmations of strategic partnerships, there appears to be little concrete benefit. If the pattern of diplomatic snubs and superficial engagement continues, it may be time for Indian leaders to reassess their approach to international relations.

Days of non-alignment over

India needs to decide where it stands. The time to have it both ways is long past and makes for great TouTube videos but little else.

Prime Minister Modi should have cancelled this trip if only to send a message of self-respect and national pride. To continue down the same path without standing firm against U.S. hypocrisy will only embolden future diplomatic dismissals.

Alternately, India could consider a wholesale change in its Ukraine policy and decide its support for Russia and BRICS is past its sell-by date and get concrete support from the US on its China policy, in return for being a full-fledged ally.

The days of non-alignment are over.  The Prime Minister needs to take a strong stand for the country. The Leader of the Opposition needs to stick to his job and keep out of unknown territories in lands outside India.