According to persons with knowledge of the situation, US President Joe Biden intends to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state dinner this summer, Bloomberg reported.
As the administration promotes policies and initiatives for a free and open Indo-Pacific to offset what it perceives as a growing threat presented by China, the formal state visit is a demonstration of the developing US-Indian relations.
The White House plans for the state dinner to take place in June but the timetable could slide as per reports. A National Security Council official declined to comment.
In September, India will host the Group of 20 leaders meeting in New Delhi, where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would be one of the main subjects of discussion. It is unclear whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the meeting.
Biden is also anticipated to see PM Modi in Australia in May when the leaders of Australia and Japan convene for the Quad Summit.
Biden’s dinner party with Prime Minister Modi will be his third official state visit and dinner, following ones for French President Emmanuel Macron in December and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on April 26.
Last month, the United States and India unveiled the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies, a proposal to exchange advanced defence and computer technology, including the joint production of General Electric Co. aircraft engines.
India has not been as outspoken against Putin’s war in Ukraine as the US and its allies would like. The partnership on critical technologies is intended in part to counter Russian influence in India by reducing New Delhi’s historic reliance on Moscow for military hardware, and China’s growing assertiveness. US political leaders of both parties have sought to strengthen ties with Modi.
