Arun Joshi

JK News Today Commentary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s conversation with the newly elected US President Donald Trump on Monday was not merely a congratulatory call and thank you in reciprocation , as the two leaders discussed not only the mutually beneficial issues for their countries but spoke at length on the issues troubling the world and how to work together to usher in global peace.. This particular conversation which concluded with the arrangements being made for an early visit of PM Modi to the White House opens a new era of ever-progressing Indo-US relationship, promising to scale new heights.

This should send a message to both their domestic audiences and also the rest of the world that is constantly watching the words and actions o Donald Trump who was sworn-into office a week ago. His proclamations have had global effect and there are many measures that the world is studying. In fact the telephonic conversation between PM Modi and the US President Modi could be a case study as to how the world leaders should approach the critical issues the world is facing .

The focus area was the relationship between the two countries, but equally important is that how the US and India placed together in the pivotal role that they will jointly have to play in ending conflicts in West Asia, Europe and other places in the world . There is an obvious reality that the world’s situation has deteriorated in the past couple of years , especially after the Russian-Ukraine conflict erupted in Europe , and thereafter what all happened in Middle-East with the terror attack of Hamas on Israel and the retaliation that it evoked . There was death and destruction in the wake of these conflicts . Tens of thousands have lost lives, millions lost their homes .

These conflicts that have shaken the peace and order of the post-Cold War era need careful handling , and that at the moment can be provided only by mature leadership of the mature democracies of the US and India . That’s where this conversation needs to be appreciated and seen as a way forward in stabilizing the world.

The telephonic conversation, as detailed in the X post of PM Modi and the White House read out, touched on almost all issues concerning the issues with which the world is faced today. The leaders exchanged their views on these issues and that is what holds importance to the entire comity of nations , not just India and the US> This was a statement of statesmen committing themselves to the shared global goals of world peace and prosperity .

PM Modi spotlighted some of the contents on his X handle ., in which he stated : “ Delighted to speak with my dear friend President @realdonaldtrump@POTUS. Congratulated him on his historic second term. We are committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership . We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity and security.”

An official release issued by PIB gave little more detail of the conversation as it reflected on the issues which were discussed by the two leaders. “The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment for a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. They discussed various facets of the wide-ranging bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and measures to advance it, including in the areas of technology, trade, investment, energy and defence.

The two leaders exchanged views on global issues, including the situation in West Asia and Ukraine, and reiterated their commitment to work together for promoting global peace, prosperity and security.

The leaders agreed to remain in touch and meet soon at an early mutually convenient date.”

The White House read out summed it like this . “ Today, ( January 27) President Donald J. Trump held a productive call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. The two leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation. They also discussed a range of regional issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe. The President emphasized the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship. The leaders discussed plans for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to advance the U.S.-India strategic partnership and the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India hosting Quad Leaders for the first time later this year. “

Indeed , this conversation and range it covered will evoke some envy in many quarters in the word, where leaders are waiting to be heard by President Donald Trump as he has come to represent two very important things for the geopolitics of the world. While raising the pitch of “ Make America Great Again,” President Trump also spoke of global issues in his inauguration speech on January 20 . And exactly a week later – January 27- he was engaged in a thought provoking and strategically important telephonic conversation with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi , showing that how much importance the country and its leadership holds for America and its President in tackling global issues.

Though it is very important that PM Modi and President Trump spoke on Monday about the relationship between the two countries and how to steer efforts in achieving the global piece , but the fact remained that the two countries have been on an ever-progressing ladder of the mutually beneficial relationship f6or the past few decades. The two countries have shed the Cold War mindset and they are crucial partners in ensuring stability of the world..

It indeed was a path-breaking conversation that the whole world is busy in deciphering .