'Strategic considerations behind frequent Modi-Obama meetings'

Beijing, June 9, 2016, PTI:

Strategic consideration were the reasons behind frequent meetings between US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese state-run media on Wednesday said.

It also cautioned India that it cannot rise by “containing” China or picking one side against the other.

“For Obama, improving US-India ties will help consolidate his diplomatic legacy as seven months are left before he leaves office; for Modi, his visit is aimed at seeking new momentum for developing ties with Washington”, Xinhua news agency said in a commentary on Indo-US ties.

“Strategic consideration is behind the frequent meetings between Obama and Modi as the latter is paying his fourth trip to the US since he took office in 2014,” the commentary said, a day after the two leaders met at the White House.

It said the change in treatment Modi has received from America was viewed by many as the result of a warming India-US relationship, which has seen ups and downs in recent years. 

“Just a few years ago, Modi was banned from entering US soil...Now, Modi was greeted by a flag-bearing military honour guard when he arrived at the entrance to the West Wing for talks with Obama”, the commentary said.