Modi’s Grand Arrival on America’s Prestigious Red Carpet

It is not a new phenomenon for leaders to try to court Narendra Modi, but Joe Biden is taking this flattery to new heights. Gina Raimondo, Biden’s commerce secretary, recently praised Modi’s dedication to the Indian people, describing it as “indescribable, deep, passionate, real, and authentic.” On Thursday, Modi will join the ranks of distinguished statesmen like Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela by addressing a joint session of Congress for the second time. The state dinner in his honor will be the most glamorous event of Biden’s presidency. It seems that America holds a great admiration for India’s leader.

It’s not difficult to understand why. The extravagant welcome is not a reflection of Modi’s political ideology, but rather a recognition of India’s strategic significance. No other country has the size or potential to serve as a counterweight to China. Kurt Campbell, Biden’s Asia adviser, consistently refers to the U.S.-India relationship as the most important bilateral relationship for America, with no reservations attached to that statement. When asked about concerns regarding India’s backsliding on liberal democracy, White House officials resort to realist explanations.

While it is true that America cannot defend Indian secularism or restore its independent media, these are tasks for the Indian people to tackle. It may seem unlikely at this point, but it remains within their realm of possibility. Expressing disapproval would likely have the opposite effect of what is desired. Biden even chose to overlook Modi’s abstentions from condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine because it would only further alienate India. In fact, the U.S. now sees benefits in India’s increased imports of Russian oil. While India is inadvertently supporting Putin’s war efforts, it also helps keep global oil prices in check.

However, the U.S. struggles to convincingly adopt a realist approach to foreign policy. In the coming days, U.S. officials will find it difficult to resist asserting that India and America share common values and are the world’s largest and wealthiest democracies, respectively. These are subjective claims that have little to do with the reasons behind Modi’s grand reception. If Saudi Arabia were in India’s position, Washington would likely find it challenging to resist praising conservative Islam.

What’s unfortunate about this situation is that it is unnecessary. India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, champions a foreign policy realism that acknowledges our world as multipolar and views relationships as a complex mix of friends and enemies. He rejects the moralistic rhetoric often used by his U.S. counterparts and their Cold War predecessors during India’s non-aligned era. Jaishankar pursues India’s interests without pretense.

There are two issues with the U.S.’s intense seduction of Modi. Firstly, it contradicts Biden’s claim that human rights are the cornerstone of his foreign policy. Modi has trampled upon numerous rights, including religious freedom, yet the U.S. State Department remains silent on these issues while loudly condemning transgressions by others with lesser global influence. Such double standards only fuel skepticism about America’s credibility, especially in a world where developing nations are open to alternative alliances. This undermines the intended purpose of countering China.

The second problem with Biden’s charm offensive is that it underestimates how much India relies on America. The false perception is that India holds all the cards, but it is actually far more vulnerable to Chinese military action than the U.S. India shares a 2,100-mile disputed border with China, and its military is no match for China’s. In the event of a conflict, only America could come to India’s rescue. While China does not pose a direct military threat to the U.S., Washington has convinced itself otherwise.

There is no doubt that America and India both fear an assertive China and that strengthening their ties is a rational step. However, behaving subserviently towards a leader who undermines democratic values—a strongman whom Donald Trump admires—is both crude and unnecessary. To Modi, it will be seen as a green light.

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