PM Modi in US: When strong leaders break ice, optics do matter

“We are both determined to destroy radical Islamic terrorism” - that was the most important takeaway for Prime Minister Narendra Modi from US President Donald Trump in Washington D.C. on Monday. Straightforward, meat & potatoes, a clear message to Pakistan and other nations exporting, propagating terror in the name of Islam. It was a call to action, and not diplomatic messaging – the ‘Trump effect’ on America’s South Asia policy.

The rest might have been optics, but when world leaders meet for the first time optics becomes the Vernier Scale in international relations. From coming out on the porch with First Lady Melania Trump, to the hugs, to the effortless laughter (mind you, the President is not good at faking it), to the chatty atmosphere at the White House dinner -- the optics that Trump served up were like the first monsoon rains after a summer of suspense in Indo-US relations. PM Modi is a natural. He broke the diplomatic ice with a “thumbs up” - the US president’s ‘insignia’ of sorts - and a quiet joke at the very West Wing entrance itself. Thereafter, things got easy and Trump’s body language changed completely.

The joint statement dovetailed into each other. “Both our nations have been struck by the evils of terrorism, and we are both determined to destroy terrorist organizations and the radical ideology that drives them,” said President Trump. To that, when his turn came, PM Modi replied: “The top priority for both President Trump and myself is to protect our society from global challenges like terrorism.”

It would be naive to think that the declaration of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorist’ by the Trump administration was a random act and not timed. The state department issued the notification at the very moment when its boss, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, was meeting PM Modi on Monday morning. The optics lay in the timing - sending out a flare signal that the Indian Prime Minister was indeed a “true friend” and that the White House was ready for him.

Rajya Sabha MP and Essel Group Chairman Dr Subhash Chandra tweeted: “Salahuddin declared global terrorist a major blow to Pak. Pak called Burhan (Wani) a martyr & now head of Burhan's organisation called terrorist.” Although Pakistan’s name did not come up explicitly at the meeting, it was the elephant in the room.

Salahuddin declared global terrorist, a major blow to Pak. Pak called Burhan a martyr & now head of Burhan's organisation called terrorist

— Dr. Subhash Chandra (@subhashchandra) June 27, 2017

From there, the joint statement took a turn towards Afghanistan, a cause of major concern for both India and the US. Trump said, “I also thank the Indian people for their contributions to the effort in Afghanistan, and for joining us in applying new sanctions against the North Korean regime.” Modi caught the drift, and went on to say: “The increasing instability, due to terrorism, in Afghanistan is one of our common concerns. Both India and America have played an important role in rebuilding Afghanistan and ensuring its security.”

Compare the Modi-Trump choreography with the Trump-Theresa May awkwardness, at the same White House months ago. The “special relationship” between the US and Britain almost seemed like it needed special care - going by the optics of it. So, optics do matter!