MODI BRUSHES ASIDE REPORTERS’ QUESTIONS IN WASHINGTON

                      From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India was welcomed on Thursday at the White House with a 21-gun salute at the start of a pomp-filled state visit. He also answered questions during a news conference in Washington., most likely for the first time in his nine years as prime minister.

Standing next to President Biden, Modi responded by brushing aside concerns over crackdowns on dissent and the treatment of minorities under his government, saying there is “no question of discrimination” and that “democracy is in our DNA,”
The New York Times reported.

Modi’s remarks were in line with what his government usually says when facing criticism. His government has hounded opponents in a way that has raised fears of an authoritarian turn in India. But it’s vanishingly rare for Modi himself to directly field live questions from the press, our South Asia bureau chief, Mujib Mashal, writes.

Biden and Modi announced a range of initiatives to advance cooperation in technology, energy and military hardware but revealed no movement on points of friction between their countries, most especially Ukraine. India’s stance on the war has led to it becoming a leading buyer of Russian crude oil.

Addressing a joint session of Congress, Modi was greeted by a standing ovation and chants of his name, as he went on to emphasize the bond between India and the U.S. He will later be honored at a state dinner among celebrity guests.

The big picture: The U.S. is trying to draw India closer, as the urgency for improved relations has intensified amid Russia’s war against Ukraine and Washington’s rising tensions with China.