Relationship between India and the USA:
When Barack Obama was the president of the USA in 2015, he became the first-ever president to visit India twice. During his presidency, Narendra Modi was also the Prime Minister of India. America and the USA are regarded as true global partners. Both of the countries are helpful to each other in various aspects including strengthening economies and maintaining strong democracies.
The current relationship between the USA and India is in an extensive and expanding state. Both countries are trying to improve their relationship in terms of culture, strategies, military, and economy. Their current relationship is in the phase of implementing confidence-building measures to overcome the legacy of trust deficit. Such condition has occurred because of US foreign policies as well as the multiple instances of technology denial.
Visits:
President Pranab Mukherjee, as well as Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, invited Barack Obama for their 66th Republic Day. On May 26, 2014, Barack Obama announced his visit to India. He visited India from January 24 to January 27 in the year 2015.
But President Donald Trump landed in Ahmedabad on February 24, 2020. He visited India for just two days. And returned back on February 25 after visiting Ahmedabad, Agra, and New Delhi.
Other Delegates in the visit:
Barack Obama visited India alongside his wife Michelle Obama. The US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer who had plans to visit India with Obama canceled the trip a few days prior to the visit.
President Donald Trump made the visit alongside the first lady Melania Trump. Apart from this, Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and a galaxy of top officials made the visit to India. However, the US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer again canceled the trip this year.
Purpose of the visit:
The main reason Barack Obama visited India was to celebrate India’s 66th republic day. Barack Obama was the chief guest during the event on Republic Day. However, he had other aims for the visit as well. The first aim was to break the Indo-US Nuclear logjam. The other reasons for the visit were to improve the business strategies and also to improve social security.
On the other hand, the major purpose of Donald Trump’s visit was for the agreement on a trade package as a precursor to a major trade deal. This visit also carried the aim of providing an opportunity to improve the bilateral relationship, strengthen the ties, and also deepen the commitment to Indo-Pacific.
Preparation in India:
When Barack Obama visited India, the government of New Delhi arranged very high security. Nearly fifteen thousand cameras were equipped and a squad of dogs was also equipped for Barack Obama’s safety. The no-fly zone was also extended.
When Donald Trump visited India, the Agra government immediately started a campaign of cleaning up the Yamuna River. Along with that, the walls of the city in Agra from the airport to the Taj Mahal were covered with the paintings of Donald Trump.
What were the things the two Presidents did during the visit?
Barack Obama:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted President Barack Obama at the airport itself. He had a reception with the president of India Pranab Mukherjee. During the reception, Barack Obama quoted a hymn that was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. Both the president as well as the Prime Minister welcomed Obama as the chief guest during the Republic Day event. The event was filled with the craze of motorcycles, military parades, and a huge celebration on the occasion of India’s 66th Republic Day.
The next day Barack Obama and Narendra Modi sat in a conference to discuss climate change. They both were pledged to enhance the US-Indian Corporation on mutual climate and clean energy goals. They both signed an agreement which includes enhancing bilateral climate change, the cooperation of Hydrofluorocarbons, expansion of PACE-R, and launching air quality cooperation. The ex-President Barack Obama stayed there for three days and returned back on January 27, 2015.
Donald Trump:
Donald Trump landed at the Ahmedabad Airport on February 24. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who wasn’t on the plans to receive Trump, actually greeted him with a hug as well as he greeted the other crew members at the Airport itself. Then, he was greeted with a great Roadshow program organized by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. The roadshow happened in all the places that covered the 22 km route up to Sabarmati Ashram.
At the Sabarmati Ashram, Modi showed the Chakra used by Mahatma Gandhi. Trump, as well as the first lady, went on to try it. Just like the plans suggested, there was one lakh, people, to welcome Donald Trump at Modera Stadium. Both Narendra Modi and Donald Trump arrived at the Modera Stadium at 1:23 P.M. They were welcomed by the Home Minister of India, Amit Shah. The ‘Namastey Trump’ event was successfully concluded by 2:40 PM where both Trump and Modi gave their amazing speeches. Trump pleased the Indian Crowd and promised that the USA will always be a loyal friend of India.
Also read: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is Donald Trump with more experience
Donald Trump and his crew landed in Agra at around 4:17 P.M. The governor Anandiben Patel as well as CM Yogi Adityanath welcomed the crew at Agra Airport. He was also greeted with many types of cultural dances and paintings. At around 5:07 P.M., Donald Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump visited the Taj Mahal and clicked some pictures. The crew members landed at the Palam Airport, Delhi at around 7:33 P.M. They headed straight to ITC Maurya to spend their night.
On day 2 of the visit started at around 10:04 A.M. on February 25. Donald Trump meets the President Ram Nath Kovind at 10:13 P.M. at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. After a successful event at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Donald Trump and Melania Trump went to Rajghat where they pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. At around 11:10 A.M., the bilateral meeting was held at the Hyderabad House.
At around 12:21 P.M., the first lady Melania Trump reached the government school to take a ‘happiness class’. Then, the Indo-US joint statement began at 1:30 P.M. Along with all these, the Indian government and the US government did a huge business deal where India will buy nearly 300 helicopters from the USA. Trump also addresses that the US government is spending nearly 2 billion dollars for the control of Corona Virus. Trump praised India and wasn’t able to stop himself from praising about the Taj Mahal the whole two days.
At around 7:01 P.M., the Rashtrapati Bhawan was lit up in the honor of Donald Trump. Trump announced that the trade deal will likely occur at the end of the year. The CAA terror that happened in India in the past two days was a serious concern but Trump tried to ignore it. He addressed all the CAA subjects and the India-Pakistan terror as well will be taken care of by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
President Ram Nath Kovind along with his wife Savita Kovind arranged a special banquet for US President Donald Trump and his family where many celebrities of India appeared. A. R. Rahman performed and chef Vikas Khanna served the food. The Trump family conclude their trip as they returned back to Washington DC from Delhi at 10:45 P.M.
Also read: Relation of President-elect Donald Trump and President Barack Obama
Takeaways from US-India ties after the two presidents visited India:
Barack Obama:
- The Indo-US nuclear logjam was broken.
- The US announced nearly $4 billion of new initiatives and trade missions.
- Narendra Modi was happy in doing business with the US government.
- Asia-Pacific policy received a new thrust.
- Joint Production on 4 different defense projects was signed.
Donald Trump:
- Key deals were signed on defense but not on trade.
- Trump’s speech influenced the Indian Crowd and the relationship is seeming to progress.
- India will be buying a total of 300 helicopters from the USA which looks a huge business deal.
- Donald Trump’s thoughts about Indian religious freedom might have changed.
- Both India and the USA will be looking forward to solving the serious Corona Virus case.
