Barack Obama advised to focus on relationship building with Narendra Modi by experts

As the Lok Sabha elections intensify and the nine phase parliamentary elections in India due on May 16, Narendra Modi has become a prominent figure in Indian politics. He is eyeing the top job and running for Prime Ministerial post in India. 

Hence, reports suggest that many voices in the United States are counselling the White House that it should pay more attention to India and building relationship with Narendra Modi. 

In case Narendra Modi becomes the Prime Minister of India, one of his first international engagements is expected to be at the United Nations at New York – which holds a general assembly of all its members every year in the month of September.

According to many experts, the Obama administration has neglected the India relationship over the last years, and inviting the next Prime Minister of India to the White House will be the right thing it can do to repair and refresh the relationship. According to experts this becomes even more important if the next PM is Modi who has been vilified by the U.S. administration in the past.

Reacting to reports that there is increasing consensus among observers and the Indian American communities that President Barack Obama must seize the initiative and opportunity of the UN General Assembly to invite Modi to the White House, Dr. Stephen Cohen a senior analyst on South Asia affairs said, “It is indeed very important that White House shrug off its low interest in India and invite Modi to the White House if he becomes the Prime Minister. If President Obama has any concerns he can have a private conversation with Mr. Modi and set the future tone of U.S. –India relations”.

Meanwhile the US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC), a leading Indian American organization says that many of its members are reaching out to their elected representatives to educate them about the importance of inviting Modi to the White House in case Modi becomes the PM, and visits New York for the UN meetings.

“According to various independent polls there is a strong likelihood of Mr. Narendra Modi becoming the next Prime Minister of India next month. President Obama must seize this opportunity of the UN General Assembly to invite Modi and give leadership to a relationship which seems to be languishing presently”, said Sanjay Puri, the chairman of USINPAC.

India’s relationship with the U.S.and especially if Modi becomes the Prime Minister, is poised at a critical juncture according to experts.

Earlier this month, a hearing on human rights at the U.S. Congress drew sharp criticism from several Congressmen for its blatant attempt to vilify Modi.