Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (not pictured) at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister in Warsaw, Poland, August 22, 2024. / REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to visit America later this month, the last 10 years in India can justly be called the Modi era. He is already the longest-serving non-Congress prime minister of India. The way he has dominated his party, the BJP, and politics in the country (except for the setback in the general election earlier this year), he may go on to surpass Jawaharlal Nehru as the longest-serving PM.

Under PM Modi’s stewardship, India has progressed tremendously, and its standing in the world has gone up by many notches. Even-keeled India-US relations have been strengthened further. Modi’s outreach to the Indian diaspora, particularly in the US, has been commendable. The Indian American community, in return, has showered him with their love and admiration.

PM Modi’s visits to the US always generate enthusiasm among the 4-million-strong Indian community. This time, he will be feted at a community reception on September 22 at the 16,000-seat Nassau Coliseum on Long Island in New York. The event called Modi&US is organized by the Indo American Community of USA, a broad group of partner organizations.

Though PM Modi’s visit is timed with the annual session of the UN General Assembly, he is scheduled to participate in two other diplomatic events. (Foreign Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will address the General Assembly). Modi will deliberate at the Quad Leaders Summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Delaware on September 21. He will also address the UN's landmark 'Summit of the Future' convened on September 22-23 in New York.  

On behalf of New India Abroad, I invited comments from some prominent Indian Americans on PM Modi’s role in India’s development, how he has boosted already strong ties with America, and his special relationship with the community here. Read on: 

Indian Americans support PM Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat

~ Dr Sampat Shivangi

 

Dr. Sampat Shivangi with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a luncheon hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris last year in Washington DC. / Courtesy Photo

Prime Minister Narendra Bhai Modi’s meeting with the Indian community at Nassau Coliseum will be a great event. It comes amid the political turmoil of the US elections, with political controversies surrounding President Trump and controversial candidate Kamala Harris floated after President Joe Biden's forced exit from the race.

Modiji has done a remarkable job of elevating India to the world stage. In GDP terms, the nation has overtaken France, the UK, and the rest of the world; only the US, China, Germany, and Japan are still ahead. Kudos to the prime minister for his foresight and stewardship.

Despite his stewardship and accomplishments, he encountered some setbacks in the recent Indian elections and had to form a coalition government. But I am sure he will have his old glory days back with his vision of India. His vision of Viksit Bharat (a developed country) is a great dream, and we Indians, wherever we are, will support his vision and dream to take India to the forefront of the world.

His visit this month is a very important step in improving India’s close relations with the US, especially during this election featuring presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who is partially of Indian descent.  

During his visit, Modiji, with his foresight and in consultation with President Biden, will attend the Quad summit of the US, India, Japan, and Australia in Delaware. In the face of excessive Chinese interference in Indian waters in the Indian Ocean, it will be a timely message to China.

We Indian Americans warmly welcome Modiji to American soil. I am sure it will be a very successful visit, and we will see still stronger relations between two great nations.

Dr Sampat Shivangi was appointed by President Trump to the Mental Health Services National Advisory Council and continued in the Biden administration. He is a recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Chair of the Indian American Republican Council, he has been a delegate at RNC conventions six times, including the recent one in Milwaukee, WI.

 PM Modi has shaped India's trajectory in recent years

~ Dr Satheesh Kathula

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played a significant role in shaping India's trajectory in recent years, focusing on both domestic development and international relations. His leadership has focused on strengthening India’s economy through initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ to boost local manufacturing and technology-driven growth.

His reforms, such as GST and labor laws, aim to simplify India's regulatory framework to make it more business friendly. Additionally, infrastructure projects like expanding roads, railways, and renewable energy sources have been central to his agenda for uplifting India’s global standing.

Regarding foreign relations, Modi has been instrumental in strengthening India-US ties, especially in defense, technology, and trade. His rapport with various US administrations has led to several key agreements, including the Quad partnership, defense agreements, and technology transfers. These initiatives not only bolster India's defense and technological capabilities but also position India as a strategic ally of the US in the Indo-Pacific region.

His outreach to the Indian diaspora, particularly in the US, has been notable, with large-scale events like ‘"Howdy, Modi!’ creating a sense of connection between India and its expatriates, reinforcing India's soft power globally.

Dr Satheesh Kathula is the National President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). A clinical professor of medicine, he is a board-certified hematologist and oncologist from Dayton, Ohio.
 

Strengthening India-US ties in defense, trade, and technology

~ Prof (Dr) Joseph M. Chalil

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been instrumental in uplifting India through his focus on economic reforms, infrastructure development, and digital transformation. His leadership has significantly strengthened India-US relations, particularly in defense, trade, and technology.

PM Modi’s outreach to the Indian diaspora has fostered a deeper connection, encouraging investments and global advocacy for India's interests. The September 22 event promises to highlight these achievements further and reinforce India's global standing. His visit always generates enthusiasm, and this time is no exception, reflecting the strong bond between India and the Indian diaspora in the US.

The upcoming US elections will indeed highlight the growing significance of Indian Americans on the global stage. Vice President Kamala Harris, as the Democratic Party nominee for POTUS of Indian origin, represents a powerful symbol of the community's influence. On the other side, President Trump’s selection of J.D. Vance, often called the ‘Damaad’ (son-in-law) of India, as his running mate underscores the increasing importance of fostering strong ties with the Indian diaspora. This electoral moment will undoubtedly shape the future of US-India relations and reinforce the global prominence of Indian Americans.

There has been palpable excitement in the Indian American community since 2014 when Narendra Modi was first sworn in as PM. I had the privilege of attending the historic state welcome for him at the White House. As Chairman of the Indo-American Press Club, I am proud to support this upcoming event, which many of our members will attend.

PM Modi's role as a global peacemaker, demonstrated through his meetings with President Putin and Ukrainian PM Zelensky, reflects his commitment to diplomacy. I hope the UN General Assembly will stand with India in promoting peace in Europe and the Middle East.

Prof (Dr) Joseph M. Chalil is Chairman of the Indo-American Press Club and Publisher of Universal News Network. He is an adjunct professor and Chair of the Complex Health Systems Advisory Board at Nova Southeastern University’s School of Business and the chief medical officer at Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. He is the author of ‘India Beyond the Pandemic: A Sustainable Path Towards Global Quality Healthcare’, available on Amazon. 

 

The visit will further empower Indian Americans

~ Manee Kamboj 

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies have strengthened India-US relations, creating vast opportunities for the Indian American community. With initiatives like Make in India and Digital India, significant investments from American companies such as Micron and AMD are flowing into India, boosting economic cooperation between the two countries. These collaborations offer Indian Americans increased entrepreneurship, technology, and trade opportunities.

PM Modi’s upcoming visit to the US brings hope for further empowerment of Indian Americans, especially in areas like education and entrepreneurship. His government’s focus on innovation and research, evident in partnerships between Indian and American universities, could lead to more scholarships and skill development programs for the diaspora. Strengthening these educational ties would allow Indian American youth to stay competitive in high-demand fields like technology and healthcare 

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) can also be a platform to recognize young Indian American entrepreneurs, especially women, who drive new-age technological initiatives. Companies like RAYWA (Raising Awareness of Young Women with Autism), which has developed unique solutions to foster and support neurodiversity in the corporate world, should be celebrated.

By empowering organizations like RAYWA, which emphasizes inclusivity and neurodiversity in corporate environments, Modi’s government can highlight the importance of diversity and innovation. Recognizing such contributions at PBD would foster collaboration between Indian and US corporations, inspiring more inclusive leadership in the tech space.

As community leaders, we expect PM Modi’s visit to usher in policies that further empower women entrepreneurs of Indian origin in the US, ensuring their contributions to both nations are recognized and nurtured. By supporting this next generation of leaders, India and the U.S. can strengthen their partnership in driving global innovation.

Looking ahead, India’s policies should continue to simplify visa regulations and create a business-friendly environment for the Indian diaspora. This would deepen the diaspora’s engagement with India, allowing them to contribute more effectively to the growth and innovation of both nations!

Manee Kamboj is the Founder and CEO of Hexert Technology Group and Co-CEO of RAYWA Foundation, Roshni Media, and Firetalk777. She combines her digital transformation and strategic leadership expertise with her passion for elevating underrepresented voices and fostering global awareness around neurodiversity. 

 

Narendra Modi is a long-cherished blessing for India

~ Prof A.D. Amar

 

The start of India’s occupation, colonization, and slavery, that we have known, began in the year 1192 CE with the fall of King Prithviraj Chauhan, who lost due to the deceitfulness in the battle known as the Second Battle of Tarain/Taraori near Delhi. This multinational attack army was put together by Muhammad of Ghori to occupy India. He was previously defeated by Chauhan 21 times but released on his begging for pardon.

However, for his last attack, he invited the Afghans, Tajik, and Turks and defeated Chauhan, capturing and mercilessly killing him. This ended India’s sovereignty, beginning a period of foreign rule that later brought in the Mughals, the Mongols, the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French, and the British. The Indians had since been dreaming and hoping for independence.

The 1947 independence from the British was merely the passing on of the control of India. The real return of the power lost in 1192 began in 1977 with the election of Morarji Desai as the Prime Minister of India, which was celebrated by Dr. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, the former Harvard professor and US Ambassador to India. He labeled it as the Hindus taking control of their nation since its loss at the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 CE. He also commented that the Hindus will change their nation to bring back their glorious past.

This change was really started by Narendra Modi in 2014, on becoming the Prime Minister. His love, sacrifice, and ambition for India have been tremendous in all fields of progress. He has pulled India out of its mentality of the colonial and occupational doldrums and brought it to the forefront of the globe whether it is diplomacy, the sciences, business and economics, space, politics, trade, and defense. He accelerated the respect of Indians around the world like never before. His job has just begun!

 A.D. Amar, PhD, is a Professor of Management at Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. His areas of interest are strategy, knowledge, and operations.