Productive Modi-Trump relationship will be key to visit, international business scholar says

LAWRENCE — Among the many issues India Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to discuss with President Donald Trump, evidence of productive relationship between the two leaders will be a key piece to watch, said a University of Kansas School of Business scholar of the U.S.-India relationship.

Modi, who was elected in 2014 as leader of the world's largest democratic state, is visiting the United States and is scheduled to meet with Trump on Monday. National media reports have focused on the potential for tough discussions surrounding trade, immigration and climate policies.

Sanjay Mishra, professor of marketing and entrepreneurship, is available to discuss issues surrounding Modi's visit and its implications for the relationship between the two countries. Mishra, who researches and teaches on brands across cultures, new product development, measuring and modeling issues in marketing and consumer behavior, and entrepreneurship and technology commercialization, has traveled with KU business students to India to study how U.S. businesses can succeed in a global economy.

"Building personal chemistry between the two leaders is critical to enable other actions," Mishra said. "While economic issues, like trade, ease of doing business, immigration, the 2008 nuclear agreement, are important, I feel cooperation on defense and terrorism will be most critical."

Indian authorities said members of the Islamic State were responsible for the 2017 Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train bombing in March that killed 10 people. The Indian military has also led recent strikes on militants in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir. The United States and its allies for several years have actively targeted the Islamic State in Syria, Iraq and other regions.

To arrange an interview with Mishra, contact George Diepenbrock at 785-864-8853 or gdiepenbrock@ku.edu.