Biden's No-Show At India's Republic Day Sparks Concerns About India-US Ties

United States President Joe Biden has reportedly declined an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Republic Day celebrations in January, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. Despite the invitation and efforts to showcase relations between the two nations, Biden's absence may deal a setback and impact the diplomatic ties between the US and India.

The White House, as per Mint sources, has not yet confirmed Biden's participation, citing the President's packed schedule with other international engagements and increased domestic travel commitments expected in the upcoming year, given the election season. This decision comes despite Biden's extensive engagements with Modi in the recent past, including meetings during the Group of 20 leaders summit (G20) in New Delhi in September and a state visit to the White House in June.

Complicating matters further is an ongoing controversy involving allegations of an Indian government agent's role in the murder of a US citizen in New York. In a November indictment, prosecutors in Manhattan federal court accused an Indian national of orchestrating the killing of a Sikh activist. While spokespeople for the White House National Security Council have not announced any travel plans for the President, sources suggest that Biden's decision is unlikely to be influenced by the murder plot.

Both the US and India have downplayed the significance of the case, and the indictment came two months after Canada accused the Indian government of involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist. Addressing reporters last month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the seriousness of the issue and expressed anticipation for the outcomes of the ongoing Indian investigation.

In another development, India has postponed a proposed summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also known as the Quad, to a later date in 2024. A senior Indian official informed Bloomberg that the rescheduling was necessary to accommodate Quad leaders from the US, Australia, and Japan. The Quad, a coalition of democracies revitalized in recent years, aims to counterbalance China's expanding influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Biden's recent hosting of Modi during a state visit to the US underscored New Delhi's growing significance to Washington. The US perceives India as a crucial counterforce to China's increasing military and economic dominance. The White House has displayed a keen interest in cultivating stronger defence cooperation, reinforcing supply chains, and addressing regulatory barriers for US tech companies in India.