Joe Biden and Narendra Modi are drawing their countries closer

India and the US are drawing closer despite differing ideologies and challenges. The relationship is a test case for the messy alliance of democracies in a multipolar world.

June 17, 2023 . 7:08 AM

1 min read

India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has been afforded the honour of a state visit by President Joe Biden to strike defence deals.
India is the world's fifth biggest economy and has become indispensable to America's effort to assert itself in Asia and deter Chinese aggression.
The relationship between India and the US faces potential sources of friction, such as India's pro-Western tilt and Mr Modi's attacks on liberal norms.
The US and its allies should be realistic about where India's sympathy lies – with its interests, not theirs.
The relationship will have to function like a long-term business partnership, and may be the most important transaction of the 21st century.