Thumbnail Description: PM Modi laughing with Biden holding a cricket bat in the White House lawn
In a move that proves he’s more than just a chai-sipping, yoga-promoting, bullet-train-chasing Prime Minister, Narendra Modi recently wrapped up yet another high-profile trip to the United States, a country where his popularity now rivals that of BTS among non-resident Indians. This time, instead of addressing stadiums packed with emotional expats chanting “Modi! Modi!” like he’s headlining Coachella, he managed to secure something even more high-profile—a bilateral handshake with Joe Biden and an intimate selfie moment where both looked confused about who’s supposed to operate the phone.
Of course, no Modi trip is complete without cultural exchanges more surreal than a dream sequence in a Bollywood movie. From discussing 5G to sipping chai with Sundar Pichai, to possibly teaching Biden the finer distinctions between a dosa and a taco, Modi’s diplomacy now resembles more of a variety show than traditional geopolitical affairs. We’re pretty sure someone at the White House somewhere is still trying to figure out the difference between “Vande Bharat” and “Vande Mataram,” bless their diplomatic souls.
But beyond the theatrics and ceremonial red carpets lies a larger truth: Modi is pretty good at soft power. Unlike many global leaders who rely on force or PhD-level policy proposals that no one understands, Modi has figured out that nothing wins hearts faster than three things—chai, charm, and cleverly posed Instagram pictures with tech billionaires.
Some critics argue these visits are style over substance, but let’s face it, international diplomacy is as much optics as operations. If charm offensives could be declared as official diplomatic tools, Modi would have several honorary Oscars by now. And judging by the sheer number of times his name trended on Twitter during the trip, there’s no doubt he’s Western media’s new global influencer—uncle vibes, Nehru jackets and all.
While the rest of us struggle to book a single Schengen slot, here’s a man who walks into world capitals with more confidence than a Delhi auntie at a wedding buffet. Maybe it’s time we all adopted a bit of Modi bravado in our daily lives. Start small—strike up a casual chat with your delivery guy about 6G technology. You never know. Global diplomacy begins at home.
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