New Delhi: India and the US have significantly enhanced their defence ties, taking them to "new heights," according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Washington. Addressing professionals, including the Indian-American community, Modi urged them to invest in India, emphasising that "this is the moment." He highlighted India's achievements, such as high growth, low inflation, increasing forex reserves and exports and record levels of foreign direct investment (FDI). Modi also met with CEOs of Google, Boeing, and Amazon separately.
At an event, Modi announced that H1-B visa renewal for Indian professionals in the US can now be done without leaving the country, and a pilot project will be initiated. He also expressed optimism about future prospects for L visas. Modi emphasised India's regained self-confidence, stating, “We know our way, direction, decisions, and resolve." He praised India's diversity, highlighting the Tamil language as the world's oldest and mentioning the establishment of a Tamil Studies Chair at the University of Houston.
During his visit, Modi commended US President Joe Biden's leadership and hailed the agreement between General Electric (GE) and India for manufacturing fighter aircraft engines with technology transfer as a "milestone." He also highlighted investments by Micron, Google, Applied Materials, and Boeing in India, contributing to the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem and aviation sector.
Modi participated in a lunch hosted by US Vice-President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, where Harris acknowledged India's development assistance and its role in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. At the India-US Hi-Tech Handshake event, Modi engaged with CEOs from Indian and American tech companies, discussing the India-US technology partnership's potential in driving an AI-enabled inclusive economy.
During his meetings with Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Boeing president and CEO David L. Calhoun, and Amazon president and CEO Andrew R. Jassy, Modi explored collaboration opportunities in various domains, including AI, fintech, cybersecurity, mobile device manufacturing, aviation, space manufacturing, e-commerce, logistics, and digitization of MSMEs in India.
The visit showcased the deepening technology collaboration between India and the US, emphasising the potential for socio-economic growth through innovation, strategic partnerships, and cooperation on standards. Modi and President Biden highlighted the instrumental role of the India-US partnership in building a better future for their citizens and the world.
