The people across the world have witnessed history in the making last week, as no other Indian Prime Minister has represented India on such a grand scale ever before. Nearly 50,000 people became a part of the “Howdy Modi!” event in Houston, Texas. This event was one of the highlights of PM Modi’s one week long tour of the United States of America which also includes addressing the UNGA, attending the India-Pacific Islands Developing states Leaders’ meeting and the United Nations Climate Action Summit.
Donald Trump held Modi’s hand when Modi introduced him to his family – a crowd that was chanting Modi’s name as passionately as they could in Houston. Trump heaped praises on Modi and his popularity across the globe while Modi reciprocated by acknowledging the “deep and lasting” impact that Trump has had everywhere. The event promised to ease the trade relations between the two nations and take their diplomatic relations to the next level. No doubt, PM Modi has been able to make a mark on the global stage and the success of this event is the reaffirmation of his charisma, appeal and admirable leadership.
Trump addressed the crowd by stating that border security is of great significance to India just like it was to the US. The leaders of two of the largest democracies in the world, walking arm in arm can be seen as a strong message to both China and Pakistan. Trump knows the value of the 3.5 million Indian-American community and the contribution they make to the success of the United States. Therefore, he appealed to not only Pakistan, but the entire world to take a look at what the Indian-Americans have achieved and learn from their success.
The visit planned to further strengthen the ties between India and the USA which have steadily warmed in the last two decades. India’s state-run Petronet LNG Ltd signed a contract to source about 5 million tonnes LNG per annum from a US developer’s project n Louisiana. Moreover, both the countries seem to be on the same page on issues like terrorism, defence, energy and technology could be the key factors which may take the US-India relationships to the next level.
Post this historical event PM Modi attended the UN Climate actions summit in New York where he claimed that the time for talking is over and the world needs to take actions. 63 countries were invited to enhance their climate action plan under the Paris Agreement of 2015. Modi became only the third leader after Jacinda Ardern and Hilda Heine to address the summit which speaks volumes about his stature as a global leader. Modi threw light on India’s plan to generate 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy by 2022 and lower the consumption of fossil fuels. He also introduced India’s planned investment of 50 billion USD on the Jal Jeevan Mission to conserve water resources. He stressed that to combat climate change, behavioural change is utterly significant which will come through education only. Moreover, Modi will include 33 countries in a coalition to promote the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster. The plans are there and seem to be comprehensive but it remains to be seen whether they can be put in place or not.
Modi also attended the India-Pacific Islands Developing states Leaders’ meeting wherein he introduced a 150 billion USD line of credit to Pacific Island Nations for carrying out renewable energy and climate-related projects. Besides this, he also announced the allocation of 12 billion USD funds to member states towards executing impact developmental project of their choice. He stressed on the fact that India and PSIDS have common values and future and the development policies should include policies to remove inequality and poverty.
Lastly, Modi and Trump talked on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Trump has met Modi twice within a week on Modi’s tour of the US. Trump introduced that India and USA will have a trade deal soon but has refused to share the definite timeline and other details pertaining to it. In fact, he admired Modi whole-heartedly by comparing him to the rockstar Elvis Presley and calling him the “Father of India”.
Therefore, PM Modi has attended innumerable talks, events and bilateral meetings and made several deals during his US visit. He has also brought the infrastructure projects in limelight that he has in mind for the near future.
