Blending India’s soft power with business and diplomacy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in Washington for a state dinner and talks with US President Joe Biden.
He was welcomed by hordes of devotees and adoring fans at the stately Willard Hotel in downtown Washington.
PM Modi will hold talks with President Biden on June 22, which will culminate in a pathbreaking jet engine deal and transformational outcomes in areas of energy, health, and development.
PM Modi began his maiden state visit to the US from New York on June 20, where he held meetings with top CEOs of iconic companies and pitched for enhancing US investment in India.
“Landed in New York City. Looking forward to the programs here, including interaction with thought leaders and the Yoga Day program tomorrow, 21st June,” Mr. Modi tweeted.
Yoga Power
On June 21, PM Modi led the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga at the iconic North Lawn of the United Nations Headquarters, showcasing India’s soft power.
The theme for this year is ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.
The event saw an overwhelming response from thousands of yoga enthusiasts from over 135 nationalities, setting a Guinness World Record for participation by the maximum number of nationalities in a Yoga session. A video message by UN Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres was played as well.
Eminent diplomats, academicians, technocrats, industry leaders, media personalities, artists, spiritual leaders, and yoga practitioners participated in the Yoga Day event. These included Mr. Csaba Korosi, President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly; Mr. Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City; Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development.
Power of Ideas
In an important step to build connections with the intellectual community, PM Modi met a galaxy of thought leaders, including leading American economist Prof. Paul Romer, investor and co-founder of the hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates Ray Dalio, and Elon Musk, updating them about the reform trajectory of his government.
In Washington, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a private dinner for the 72-year-old Indian leader on June 21, before hosting a state banquet for him the next day at the White House. PM Modi will be only the third state visitor of the Biden administration, after French President Emmanuel Macron in December 2022 and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in April 2023. Modi will also become the first Indian leader to address a joint session of the US Congress on June 22.
The centerpiece of PM Modi’s visit to the US will be a pathbreaking agreement between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to co-manufacture jet engines in India. Co-manufacturing of GE F414 jets, which will be used to power future fighter jets such as the Tejas Mark 2, promises to be a game-changer for India’s quest to indigenize its defense-industrial complex.
Ahead of the talks between PM Modi and President Biden on June 22, the White House underlined that India will be a critical strategic partner for the US in the coming decades. “India will be a critical strategic partner for the United States in the coming decades,” National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications (NSCCSC) John Kirby told journalists in Washington on June 20. the Indian landscape, from the lofty Himalayas to picturesque beaches, and the nation’s rich cultural tapestry highlighted the diverse offerings for any discerning visitor.
The PM reiterated that tourism transcends mere sightseeing. He underlined that it’s an immersive experience within a diverse milieu of music, food, art, culture, which India offers in abundance. He also invited global leaders to witness the upcoming General Elections, terming it as a festival of democracy in the world’s largest democratic nation.
Detailing India’s significant strides in the tourism sector, PM Modi outlined the nation’s dual objectives of preserving cultural heritage and establishing world-class tourism infrastructure. He underscored that reforms in visa policies, transport upgrades, skill development initiatives, and hospitality sector were all crafted with tourism as the primary focus.
Additionally, PM Modi spotlighted spiritual tourism and India’s efforts in modernising spiritual centres like Varanasi, attracting millions of pilgrims. He also highlighted landmarks such as the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, which drew nearly 2.7 million tourists within a year of its inauguration.
Discussing emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and augmented reality, PM Modi stressed their potential to revolutionise the tourism sector. He highlighted India’s efforts towards real-time translation of various languages using artificial intelligence. He optimistically concluded that the discussions could boost global efforts to harness tourism’s transformative power.
The cultural significance of Yoga, celebrated globally on International Yoga Day, has been advocated by PM Modi since his 2014 UN address. He proposed June 21 for this event as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and holds special significance in many cultures.
The story behind this date relates to Lord Shiva, considered the originator of yoga. On the summer solstice, Shiva took notice of seven dedicated disciples and, 28 days later, on the next full moon, transmitted the science of yoga to them. Therefore, 21 June became a natural choice for International Yoga Day.
PM Modi’s spirited endorsement of yoga has been seen as a boon, especially for the increasing elderly population and the digitally-saturated younger generation, both seeking a low-cost personal wellness regimen. Reports indicate a surge in the elderly population globally, making them vulnerable to health-related concerns. The overwhelming increase in digital consumption is also leading to eye, brain, and nerve-related medical issues.
Thus, PM Modi’s promotion of yoga as a holistic approach to health and well-being, amid these global demographic and lifestyle shifts, underlines his vision for a healthier world and positions India as a soft power leader.