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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent trip to the United States, which included participation in the QUAD summit and addressing the “Future of UN” summit, was marked by controversy surrounding alleged meetings with US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. While Trump claimed that Modi was meeting him in New York, the Indian leader's agenda never included any meetings with either Trump or Harris. This revelation sparked a flurry of reactions, with pro-Democrat media attempting to frame it as a snub by Modi towards Trump's campaign.
However, India's stance on the matter was clear: it maintained a position of neutrality, prioritizing a bipartisan relationship with the US. Former Indian foreign secretaries emphasized that India's strong bilateral ties with the US transcended any political affiliations, dating back to the era of Bill Clinton. The Indian government expressed no desire to favor one candidate over the other, as such actions could be perceived as interference in the US election process. This stance was further emphasized by the fact that the Indian government had not sought any meetings with either Trump or Harris. This contrasted starkly with the actions of US diplomats, who had visited the poll-bound state of Jammu and Kashmir to meet with opposition leaders, a move that raised eyebrows.
Another significant point that attracted media attention was the absence of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval from Modi's delegation to the US. Doval’s absence was attributed to legal threats posed by a Khalistani group based in New York. Some media outlets attempted to portray Doval's absence as a consequence of the threats, but the Indian government clarified that this was a calculated decision. The government was wary of the Khalistani agenda gaining prominence and diverting focus from the main objectives of the visit. Furthermore, Doval was engaged in crucial tasks, including monitoring the Sri Lankan elections and the Bangladesh crisis.
The issue of Khalistani threats underscored the complexities of India's relationship with the US, particularly with regard to the presence of a sizable Sikh diaspora in the US. While the majority of Sikhs in the US are Democrat voters, the Khalistani movement's activities remain a source of concern for India. The government took a firm stance, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar vowing to address the disrespect shown towards the Indian flag and leadership by Khalistani groups during Modi's visit. India's national security planners, however, remained undeterred by these threats and maintained their focus on strategic objectives.
The Modi government's stance was clear: India's rise would inevitably be contested by various powers, including those considered strategic partners. The government was undeterred by the actions of a few protestors and vowed to respond appropriately at a time and place of its choosing.
Source: PM Modi meeting Trump or Harris was never on his itinerary