In a rare interview with a foreign media outlet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Wall Street Journal that leaders of the US and India share “unprecedented trust” as he left for his first official state visit to the US on Tuesday.

While the PM has visited the US several times, this is termed as his first state visit – the highest expression of bilateral ties with an invitation to the head of state’s official residence. Modi is set to be hosted by US President Joe Biden at the White House on June 22. The four-day visit, however, is likely to be shadowed by rights groups’ protests over what they call deteriorating human rights in India. 

The WSJ report pointed out that Modi “gives many speeches but fewer news conferences and interviews”. PM Modi has earlier been accused of giving “scripted” interviews to Indian media outlets. 

Meanwhile, speaking to the paper, Modi said that “India deserves a much higher, deeper and wider profile and a role”, calling for changes to the United Nations and other international organisations to be more broadly representative. He also signaled India’s desire to be on the UN Security Council. “India has such a huge population and is a bright spot in the global economy, but is it present?”

The report said that “overall”, Modi’s message was that “India’s time has come”, from its role in global politics to its contributions to the world economy. “He sought to portray New Delhi as the natural leader of the global South, in sync with and able to give voice to developing countries’ long-neglected aspirations.”

The report underlined that unlike India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s “vision of nonalignment” in the early years of the Cold War, “Modi’s foreign policy is one of multiple alignments, seeking to advance India’s interests in partnership”.

On the opposition’s allegations of “religious polarisation and democratic backsliding”, the newspaper quoted Modi as saying, “India not only tolerates but celebrates its diversity… you will find people of every faith in the world living in harmony in India.”

Modi is likely to sign deals for the manufacturing of jet-fighter engines in India for light combat aircraft and purchase predator drones in a multibillion-dollar agreement. In an official statement, he earlier said this visit will be “an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of our partnership”.