During the state visit, Biden and Modi released a joint statement declaring the U.S. and India as “among the closest partners in the world.” The two also signed “deals on defense and commerce aimed at countering China’s global influence.” (Reuters, June 22) However, neither Russia nor China were mentioned by name.

The red-carpet treatment was an obvious attempt to drive a wedge between India and its partners in the financial/trade alliance BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Growing increasingly concerned about developments like BRICS, which threaten the U.S. dollar hegemony, Biden’s meeting with Modi was clearly an effort to sabotage the alliance.

Just how successful Biden was is questionable. While agreeing to buy U.S. weapons, Modi refused to criticize Russia or China, refused to go along with sanctions on China and Russia and refused to back away from BRICS. Without a more public offering from Modi, Biden seems to have come away from the table with mere crumbs, plus egg on his face. All the attention given Modi did not sit well with some members of Biden’s own party.