PM Narendra Modi In US: What Is A State Visit, What Are Different Types Of Foreign Visits?

PM Modi has been a frequent traveller to the United States in the past 9 years but none of these were “official state visits.”

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit the United States for an official “state visit” from June 21 to 24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden. Upon his arrival, US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India at the White House. While PM Modi has been a frequent traveller to the United States in the past 9 years, none of these were “official state visits.”  So, this visit assumes huge significance since it will be PM Modi’s first “state visit’’ to the United States. PM had last month travelled to Australia, Japan and Papua New Guinea. He went to Hiroshima (Japan) for the G-7 Summit (May 19-21), then to Papua New Guinea for the Pacific Islands’ leaders summit, and finally to Australia for the Quad Leaders’ Summit. 

What's The Objective Of PM Modi's US Visit?

PM Modi is likely to begin his US visit from New York, where he will lead the International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21. He will then head to Washington DC for the state visit. He is also likely to address the Indian diaspora in Chicago. An official announcement made by the Ministry of External Affairs and the White House about the visit said, “The visit will underscore the growing importance of the strategic partnership between India and the United States as the two nations collaborate across numerous sectors.”

“The leaders will have the opportunity to review strong bilateral cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, including technology, trade, industry, education, research, clean energy, defence, security, healthcare, and deepening people-to-people connections,” it said. During the visit, PM Modi and President Biden “will also explore ways to strengthen India-US collaboration in plurilateral and multilateral fora, including in the G20. They would reflect on their shared vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and discuss opportunities to expand and consolidate the Quad engagement,” read the announcement.

PM Modi's visit comes at a time when India has maintained a diplomatic tightrope walk on the Russia-Ukraine War by not choosing a side and offering to mediate for a lasting solution between the two nations caught in a bloody military conflict.

Who Was The Last Indian PM To Visit The US On A State Visit? 

Prior to PM Modi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited the United States from November 23 to 25, 2009 on an “official state visit.” Though PM Modi has made multiple trips to the US in past years,  none of these visits could be categorised as a “state visit”, which is the highest-ranked visit, according to diplomatic protocol.

What Categorises As A State Visit? 

State visits are visits by a sovereign head of state/government to foreign countries. State visits are, therefore, described as a “visit of (name of state)” rather than a “visit of (name of leader)”. State visits carry great ceremonial importance and symbolises friendly bilateral relations between the host and the guest states. In the case of the US, “state visits” can occur only upon the official invitation of the US President, who serves as the head of state. Presidents, prime ministers, and monarchs frequently make “state visits.” However, other important leaders, including crown princes, vice presidents, and ceremonial heads of state, can make other types of foreign visits. 

Ceremonial Importance Attached With State Visits

State visits, which are usually a few days long, involve various elaborate ceremonies. These include the flight line ceremony, where the visiting head of state is welcomed upon landing, a 21-Gun Salute in the honour of the visiting official guest, playing the national anthems of both countries by a military band, an invitation to stay at the Blair House (the US President’s guest house), street-lining of flags and an exchange of gifts between the two heads. A state banquet is also held in the honour of “state guest’’ by the host state. 

Who Pays For The State Visit?

The host state/nation bears all expenses, including lodging and travelling, of a state visit. Importantly, the US president can host only one head of state once every four years, according to the US State Department guidelines.

What Are Different Categories Of Foreign Visits?

While “state visits” hold greater ceremonial importance, the actual diplomatic work and relationship-building can be accomplished in various types of visits. According to the US State Department guidelines, there are five different types of visits that can be granted to any high-ranking official from another country. They are - state visit, official visit, official working visit, working visit and private visit. While invitations are required for all other visits, except a private visit by a head of a state, the invitation for a state visit is extended very rarely.

Categorisation Of PM Modi’s Past US Visits

PM Modi’s previous visits to the US were classified as a working visit (2014), working lunch (2016) and official working visit (2017). PM Modi's 2019 visit to the US was described by the US Department of State as the one in which he “Participated in a rally in Houston, Texas”.

Details of Foreign/Domestic Visits of PM Modi Since 26.05.2014

The Government of India's website has a dedicated page: (https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/details-of-foreigndomestic-visits) which carries the details of foreign visits undertaken by PM Modi since 26.05.2014 along with the duration and expenses incurred on chartered flights.