Since sweeping landslide victory in Lok Shabha election in India by Ultra Nationalist Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) in 30 years on May 16 with Narendra Modi as designated Prime Minister, immediate past Chief Minister of Gujarat state of India, reportedly carries baggage of worst Hindu-Muslim riot in his state in 2002. He also has been debarred from visiting America since 2005. However, there has been clamor in America and around the world to have relations with BJP government. Well-organized Hindu mobs killed some 1000 Muslims (figure of deaths varies), burned thousands of houses and destroyed more than 300 mosques in the riot. As reported in media, women were raped, even babies were not spared. Some 150,000 Muslims fled Gujarat after the riot in 2002.

On the other hand, Narendra Modi had the privilege to visit China several times to acquire knowledge of magic rapid economic developments. According to an article by Jason Burke in Guardian which appeared on May 19, Narendra Modi was in a mood to impress upon Chinese technocrats and business community as well for which he “carried red business cards printed in Chinese” during his fourth visit to China. During his visit to China Narendra Modi reportedly expressed his sentiment by saying “he felt at home among the technocrats of Beijing than in the west”. That remark reflects his attitude towards the west.

Obama administration of America has been focusing attention towards Asia-Pacific region as a part of foreign policy since Obama assumed presidency of America in 2009. India obviously is on top of the list. That was reflected in holding first black tie dinner for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November, 2009 in the White House followed by a three-day visit of President Obama to India in November, 2010. Major thrust of Obama’s foreign policy is to contain growing Chinese influence in the region and secondly, exploiting growing economic development in Asia where America exports 50 percent more than to Europe.

Basic foundation of revival of relations between India and America was laid by American ambassador to India Nancy Powell. There was 30-minute tete-a-tete between ambassador of the United States of America and then Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi at his residence on February 12 which turned out to be juicy news in political arena. Narendra Modi was however, made target of criticism by the congress in view of his inaction to stop riot in Gujarat during election campaign.

The meeting between US ambassador and Narendra Modi have obviously ended nine yearlong boycott of Narendra Modi by America. Narendra Modi received US ambassador cordially with a bouquet of flowers and discussed issues of mutual interests. He also underscored the need for mutual benefits between India and America. In reflection, after the declaration of election results President Obama congratulated Narendra Modi, talked over telephone and invited him to visit America at some time in the future.

CNN, IBN reports indicate that Narendra Modi is not too keen to visit America at the earliest rather, Russia, China and Japan are on his priority list. Driven by political, economic and strategic interests both India and America are concerned about China’s expansion of its naval power in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Japan has conflict of interest with China over Islands in the East China Sea. China’s claim of 4000 kilometers line of Arunachal of India is another irritant issue between India and China.

Therefore, relations between India and America are intertwined. It has further been reflected in the statement by Secretary of State John Kerry who congratulated BJP for its landslide victory and emphasized the friendship between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy. More so, Narendra Modi needs America’s massive investment to develop Indian economy which is showing sluggish trend with 5 percent unemployment rate for the youth in rural areas and 13 and 8 percent for females and males respectively in urban areas with insufficient infrastructures coupled with skyrocketing inflation. It is however, yet to be seen which way wind blows during reign of Bharatiya Janata Party which will assume power officially from May 26.

Mohammad Amjad Hossain, retired diplomat from Bangladesh and former President of Nova chapter of Toastmaster International Club, writes from Virginia