Modi in US: What PM Modi has achieved in his previous three trips to the nation

Narendra Modi’s current visit to the United States is his fourth since becoming the Prime Minister of India. In his two years in office, Modi has come under the scanner for his numerous foreign trips with many questioning the importance of his frequent visits to other nations while others wonder what good it'll do if he spends millions on these trips and does not stay in his own nation for too long.

Whatever the speculations may be, there is no denying that Modi has put India back on the map in a big way. He has succeeded in selling India as a brand in the international arena.

Modi has created a buzz about India's potential in the world market and is considered by many as a proactive advocate of the nation. He is also seen as someone who is heard and respected by the international community and world powers. During his visit, from June 7-8, Modi will be meeting US President Barack Obama for the seventh time.

Let’s take a look at how his previous visits to the United States were beneficial for India:

September 26-30, 2014

As the Indian Prime Minister, Modi first visited the US two years ago, in September 2014, for the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly and an official state visit. His visit's main agenda was to move past the diplomatic and policy hurdles that had been overshadowing the India-US relationship for quite some time. He met with US President Obama and other American political leaders in New York and presented an Indian front which seemed progressive and success oriented with an outlook to strengthen the ties between the two nations.

Modi announced a new visa and travel scheme in New York 'People of Indian Origin’ (PIO) designed to make India easily accessible for the people which in turn would also help promote business in the nation. The PIO cardholders can now get lifelong visas for travel in India while US tourists can get visa on arrival in India, boosting diplomatic ties.

Modi also met the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, marking the first bilateral meeting between Israeli and Indian leaders in more than a decade. A meeting with the PM and prominent business leaders was also organised at the US-India Business Council where Modi urged leaders to invest in India as he explained several policies that would make the country an attractive destination for investment.

Modi formed the stepping stones of his relationship with Obama in this visit where, along with speaking of their burgeoning friendship, the duo co-authored an editorial in the Washington Post highlighting their readiness to work together towards a common goal. He also invited the US President for a visit to India.

The Indian PM also struck a chord with the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in the US. He was given a rockstar welcome at Madison Square Garden where thousands cheered him and heard his plans for Make in India initiative as he charted out how he wanted India to become a manufacturing hub. The visit established Modi as hugely popular and a leader who “transcends the ancient and modern”, as worded by Obama.

September 23-28, 2015

Along with meeting world leaders and presenting a positive image of India on an international platform at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), during his second visit to the US, PM Modi also heavily focused on a visit to the Silicon valley to interact with leading entrepreneurs.

During the UNGA, Modi talked about important issues on the United Nations platform like climate change, economic growth, energy security, sustainable development and poverty alleviation. He also met separately with Obama where both the leaders discussed bilateral relations and issues like trade and investment, regional security, climate change and clean energy.

Modi’s second visit to America centred on building technology initiatives between the nations. His visit to the technology hub of US was the first by an Indian PM in over 33 years. India’s economy and technology sectors are intrinsically connected with that of Silicon Valley’s technology industries. Modi delivered a speech at the SAP Center in San Jose which drew a huge Indian American crowd. He met with several entrepreneurs of Indian origin who were involved in digital communications, successful microelectronics and biotechnology start-ups in order to promote his Make in India initiative.

He also met with leading entrepreneurs including Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Tim Cook, Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai, and John Chambers and put forward the ideas of his Digital India campaign. Modi also visited Facebook and Google headquarters with an assurance from Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg to build wi-fi hotspots in rural India and a commitment from Google to help with providing broadband connectivity to India’s railway stations. 

April 31-1, 2016

PM Modi visited the US for the third time this year in April for the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS). World leaders from more than 50 countries were present at the summit hosted by President Obama in order to share their assessment of the threat posed by nuclear weapons and materials and also discuss nuclear security.

During the compact two-day visit, Modi did not get much time to discuss bilateral ties with the US President officially. He, however, did get the chance to meet about the same with Obama several times. Modi also attended a series of meetings with heads of state, community leaders, scientists and business leaders.

PM Modi also took this opportunity to strengthen India’s ties with Canada and met with the Canadian PM Justin Trudeau where he spoke of numerous opportunities for the nations to expand their relationship in the economic sphere. Modi talked about smart cities, urban infrastructure and skill development as certain areas where Canada could engage with India on a deeper level. He also invited Trudeau for an official visit to India and the Canadian PM accepted his invitation.

During his third visit, PM Modi also held official meetings with the Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and UK PM David Cameron and discussed strengthening bilateral ties with them as well.

What to expect from the June 2016 visit

This visit is expected to be a crucial one. This is a state visit where Modi will meet President Obama on Wednesday and address the US Congress on Thursday. Modi and Obama are expected to discuss bilateral issues and consolidate ties, which they have reiterated ever since their first meeting in September 2014.

Commenting on Modi’s visit, foreign secretary S Jaishankar said, “The background to this visit really is that President Obama spoke to the Prime Minister and mentioned to him that in this year he was inviting some leaders with whom he had a very close and productive working relationship, to visit him in the United States.”

Indo-US ties have come a long way over the past two years which were riddled with diplomatic and policy aberrants before PM Modi stepped in the scenario.

Although Modi's ideas on technical advancements like Digital India and Make in India have been widely appreciated, his government's religious policies have also been equally criticised by the world for being narrow and intolerant. A US Congressional report on International Religious Freedom 2014 stated that India has increasingly witnessed "religiously motivated killings, arrests, riots and coerced religious conversions”, the report also cited various incidents of violence related to the beef ban imposed by the NDA government. The Human rights group Amnesty International had also criticised the Modi government for a significant rise in communal violence under its regime and also its anti-farmer Land Acquisition ordinance.

Even though Modi has made the world feel India's presence, there still are important sectors and issues which need to be paid attention to closer at home.