Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming three-day visit to the United States, beginning September 21, will focus on strengthening Indo-Pacific cooperation, seeking peaceful solutions to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and addressing the concerns of the Global South. The visit marks an important moment in India’s evolving global role, especially in a time of geopolitical uncertainty.
Modi is scheduled to attend the annual Quad summit in Wilmington, Delaware, participate in bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden, and address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the UN General Assembly in New York. These engagements highlight India’s increasing significance in global diplomacy.
Quad Summit: Ensuring Indo-Pacific Stability
The first major event of the visit will be the Quad summit, which brings together leaders from the United States, Australia, Japan, and India. This meeting, held in Biden’s hometown of Wilmington, will center on promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, a region critical to global trade and security.
At a special briefing ahead of the visit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized that the summit would focus on “new initiatives” aimed at strengthening cooperation across various sectors, including emerging technologies, infrastructure, counterterrorism, and humanitarian aid. A significant part of the discussions will be on health security, with the Quad leaders set to announce a “milestone” initiative focused on cancer prevention and treatment.
“The leaders will discuss how to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, which is crucial not only for the region but for the global balance,” Misri noted.
Addressing the Ukraine Conflict
While the Quad summit primarily revolves around Indo-Pacific security, discussions will also touch on broader global issues, including the war in Ukraine. India has been involved in ongoing diplomatic efforts to mediate a peaceful resolution, maintaining an active dialogue with both Russia and Western countries.
“We are involved in a set of several conversations with important partners and leaders,” Misri said, referring to India’s efforts to encourage diplomatic engagement in the Ukraine conflict. However, he did not reveal specific outcomes from these talks. Modi has previously met both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin in an attempt to advocate for peace. India’s balancing act, refraining from aligning too closely with either side, has allowed it to play a potential mediating role.
As for the possibility of India proposing a concrete peace plan at the UN, Misri responded, “We will see how much consensus is reached and whether we can reach a stage where a proposal can be put forward.”
Gaza and the Middle East Peace Process
In addition to Ukraine, the ongoing conflict in Gaza is expected to be a key topic during Modi’s discussions. India’s long-standing position on the Israel-Palestine issue centers around advocating for a two-state solution. Misri reiterated India’s stance, stating that the country supports an immediate ceasefire, the establishment of humanitarian corridors, and the release of hostages.
“We have always stood for a ceasefire, the need to ensure a humanitarian corridor, and for the immediate release of hostages,” Misri said. He emphasized India’s consistent support for peace efforts in the region, adding, “We are in favour of two states—Israel and Palestine—living in peace with secure borders.”
These discussions come at a time when tensions in Gaza have escalated, drawing widespread international concern. Modi is expected to reinforce India’s long-standing approach to the Middle East conflict, advocating for diplomacy and negotiations to resolve the crisis.
Focus on the Global South at the UN’s Summit of the Future
After the Quad summit, Modi will travel to New York, where he will address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the UN General Assembly on September 23. This summit is an opportunity for world leaders to discuss global challenges, with a special focus on the Global South—developing countries that often bear the brunt of global economic and environmental crises.
Misri highlighted that the summit comes at a time of significant global challenges, particularly for the Global South. “There is an obvious deficit of development in the world, and the Global South is at risk of being left behind,” he noted. India’s leadership on issues such as climate change, education, digital inclusion, and sustainable development will likely form the core of Modi’s address.
“There are a host of issues related to climate, education, youth, gender, energy, and infrastructure that the prime minister will address,” Misri added. Modi is expected to emphasize India’s commitment to sustainable development and its support for countries in the Global South, pushing for a more equitable global order.