Prime Minister completed his three-nation tour of Portugal, United States and Netherlands.
What are the outcomes?
Portugal - PM met his Portuguese counterpart and signed 11 MoUs in areas including double taxation avoidance, investments, science and technology, and culture.
The two nations have agreed to establish a joint science and technology fund worth 4 million euros.
U.S - PM met with US President, following which the two nations issued a joint statement.
He also interacted with the Indian diaspora as well as top US CEOs inviting them to invest in India.
PM faced three imperatives in making U.S visit a success.
Establishing a personal understanding with U.S President - Both the leaders established some personal warmth.
But they should also move beyond their early affinity and identify global issues on which they can seek each other’s advice and support.
To signal that the US-India relationship remains solid -
The joint statement reaffirmed an emphasis on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific maritime collaboration and articulated a common understanding of the terrorist threat.
It also highlighted deepening defense ties, including a significant offer of Guardian UAVs.
The UAV deal is significant because it required the administration to overcome a ‘presumption of denial’ under its MTCR obligations.
But issues like India’s concerns on the immigration process, H1B visa curbs and U.S’ withdrawal from the Paris climate accord were not brought up.
To shape the new administration’s view of regional challenges - It is particularly related to that of China and Pakistan. Here the fruits of the summit are somewhat less clear.
The joint statement reaffirmed the US-India strategic convergence in Asia.
On China - It highlighted a shared concern over North Korea and posed a critique of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
But it did not made it clear whether India and U.S have a similar view of the challenge that China poses to our shared interests in Asia.
Without that common view, US-India defence cooperation could eventually wane.
On Pakistan - US made a strong statement in the wake of the Uri attacks.
It also designated Syed Salahuddin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
This might suggest that U.S is moving towards present Indian goverment’s view of Pakistan.
But it is yet to develop a complete South Asia strategy to address the problems of cross-border militancy from Pakistani territory.
U.S still has numerous investments with Pakistan.
It also cannot afford to alienate Pakistani when it is considering reinvesting in an Afghan peace process.
For the US, the visit might mean finding ways to ensure that trade disputes are handled respectfully and involving in areas of strategic importance with ease.
Netherlands - PM lauded the Netherlands for helping India successfully get a membership of MTCR.
The Netherlands expressed its support for India’s early membership to the 48-member NSG and the Wassenaar Arrangement.
Netherlands also welcomed India’s recent application for membership in the Australia Group and supported the country’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
MTCR membership enables India to buy high-end missile technology and also enhances its joint ventures with Russia.
The aim of the MTCR is to restrict the proliferation of missiles, complete rocket systems, unmanned air vehicles and related technology for those systems capable of carrying a 500 kilogramme payload for at least 300 kilometres, as well as systems intended for the delivery of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
