Modi's Meeting with Trump: Sanjaya Baru Critiques Modi's Performance
In a week marked by global diplomatic maneuvers, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Washington D.C., marking a rare occasion for him to engage with the media, according to reports.
The visit, however, was not without its controversies. Reports suggest that Indian diplomats kept independent-minded Indian journalists out of the room during the visit, allowing only friendly journalists to attend. This practice, it seems, has been a departure from the previous policy that allowed senior and highly regarded Indian journalists to travel in the PM's plane and interact freely with the media overseas.
President Trump's visit was not devoid of its own dramas. He announced reciprocal tariffs that would hit Indian exports, forcing India to consider further reducing its tariff barriers. The two leaders also discussed defense cooperation, with commitments made from India to purchase more defense equipment.
The visit also brought to light a case involving Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. Reports suggest that favors were given to the former government of Andhra Pradesh for business advantage, involving a US firm, and Adani was charged with wrongdoing under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. However, neither the Government of India nor the current state government in Andhra Pradesh has acted on these charges.
Meanwhile, President Trump reached out to both China and Russia during the week Modi was in Washington. President Xi Jinping has also invited Putin and Trump to Beijing, while Putin has extended an invitation to both Xi and Trump to Moscow for the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Victory in Europe Day in May.
These international summits, while potentially helpful in resolving wars in Europe and the Middle East, are unlikely to define a new world order like the one agreed upon by FDR, Stalin, and Churchill at Yalta in 1945. The world of 2025 is different from that of 1945, with the US defending its space, Russia trying to regain lost space, and China expanding its space.
The lack of representation from the Indian media in major capitals around the world, including Washington D.C., is a concern that needs attention. While there are competent Indian correspondents in Washington D.C., the absence of a broader media presence could limit the coverage and understanding of important international events.
The search results do not provide information about the journalists who were accredited during the last trip of Prime Minister Modi to Washington D.C., making it difficult to assess the fairness and balance of the coverage provided. Some Indian journalists praised President Donald Trump during the visit, while others were snubbed by him.
As the world continues to evolve, it is crucial for free peoples of post-colonial nations and middle powers, including Germany, France, Japan, and hopefully India, to understand their standing in any potential grand bargain. The US, Russia, and China have not won any wars in 2025 to warrant a Yalta-like conference to design the world for the 21st century. However, the need for understanding and cooperation among nations remains as important as ever.
