Immigration, terrorism, China and trade among top topics
the White House has said, signalling the Trump administration’s resolve to strengthen the bilateral defence relationship.
However, a senior administration official refrained from confirming reports that the State Department has approved the sale of 22 Guardian drones to India.
“We can’t really talk about a potential or pending arms sale before they are actually notified to Congress,” the official said.
“But I will simply note that the defence relationship is extremely important. The US is interested in leaning forward in providing high technology, the kind of technology it provides to its closest allies and partners,” the senior administration official said.
Defence is expected to be a major agenda item when Trump hosts Modi at the White House next week.
“We’re looking at a very productive visit. These kinds of sales that we’re talking about are important for the strategic partnership, for cooperating in areas like the Indian Ocean region, increasing that cooperation, serving the interests of both countries,” the official said.
“They create jobs, -- these kind of defence deals create a lot of jobs here in the US. So they’re right in line with this administration’s priorities.
When President Donald Trump hosts Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House tomorrow, the two leaders will share much in common.
Both are political outsiders who champion a muscular, country-first nationalism. They enjoy feverish support from their vote bases while their governments assail critics and ignore — or encourage — hostility toward minority groups.
But beyond the personalities, there are signs that the US-India partnership — which grew closer under the Obama administration — could be headed for rougher waters.
Here are some of the issues that could arise, and some more difficult topics that both men might try to skirt:
India is not in Trump’s crosshairs like Mexico. But in April, Trump fired a warning shot by announcing a review of the H-1B visa programme under which up to 65,000 skilled workers — many of them computer engineers from India — enter the US annually.
Still, analysts don’t expect Modi — a notorious glad-hander who famously bear-hugged former President Barack Obama — to confront Trump over immigration.
1Immigration:
2Terrorism and regional security:
While India has been targeted by fundamentalist Islamist groups, it views rival Pakistan, not transnational terrorist networks like Daesh, as its main threat. Trump has made fighting Daesh a priority, but India has not participated in the global military effort against the group.
The official said the White House expects to broaden other antiterrorism initiatives during the visit, increasing existing cooperation in screening, internet security, intelligence sharing and the designation of terrorist groups.
But Indian officials have long argued that the US must end its financial support for Pakistan’s military — widely blamed for supporting Afghan insurgents — and Trump has shown little sign of abandoning that troublesome ally.
The US outreach to India over the past two decades was based in part on an attempt to support a counterweight to Chinese influence in Asia. But Trump’s flip-flops on China offer little comfort to India. While India has sought to maintain cordial ties and expand trade with its much bigger neighbour, it has taken some more aggressive steps in recent months.
This week, Lockheed Martin signed a deal with the Indian conglomerate Tata to produce F-16 fighter planes in India. US officials also appear close to selling India’s navy 22 unarmed Guardian drones.
Despite Trump’s rhetoric, analysts say trade and defence ties with India — a major arms buyer — could continue to expand because of support from Congress and business leaders.
3China:
4Trade and defence: