\u201cSuper King of Diplomacy,\u201d read the ticker placed in bold on top of one news channel. \u201cLong live our friendship,\u201d said another. A third declared, \u201cThe Boss in America.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mainstream Indian news channels \u2014 in Hindi, English and some regional languages \u2014 covered Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s reception in Washington with adulation, praising his diplomatic skills for millions of viewers before a crucial election year for him.<\/p>\n
The visuals from Washington played into what Mr. Modi has already set as one of his main campaign themes: tying India\u2019s rise as a major economic power with his rise as a global statesman.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe scale, the splendor, the warmth,\u201d one headline enthused. Others, such as \u201cModi\u2019s breakthrough diplomacy\u201d and \u201cWatch history being made,\u201d flooded Indians\u2019 homes Thursday evening as Mr. Modi walked the red carpet to meet President Biden and the first lady, Jill Biden.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir body language reflected that they were incomplete without one another,\u201d one news anchor said as visuals of the two leaders shaking hands played on the screen.<\/p>\n
Mr. Modi has carefully crafted his relationship with traditional news outlets, using a mix of incentives and pressure tactics to get most of them on his side.<\/p>\n
When uncomfortable issues arise \u2014 a state election loss, an ethnic war resulting in weeks of unrest and bloodshed in a northeastern state, a deadly three-way train crash \u2014 they are quick to deflect blame away from Mr. Modi.<\/p>\n
And when a major moment like the state visit to Washington comes, they are happy to join in the cheerleading \u2014 a factor that, combined with how Mr. Modi\u2019s party has mastered social media to take his messages viral, helps explain Mr. Modi\u2019s talent for shaping politics to his benefit.<\/p>\n
The coverage of Mr. Modi\u2019s visit to the United States is a political boon, setting the agenda in his favor before he launches himself full-time into campaign mode for parliamentary elections next year.<\/p>\n
While many channels showed the White House dinner menu ad nauseam, calling it \u201cdinner for friendship,\u201d some others waxed eloquent about the importance of the gifts Mr. Modi had carried for the Bidens. One anchor declared of a military deal between the two countries: \u201cThe biggest defense deal. The hearts of enemies will burn!\u201d<\/p>\n
And when, at his news conference with Mr. Biden, Mr. Modi skirted a question on India\u2019s grim human rights record and suppression of free speech, one Hindi-language news anchor came to his rescue on her show, saying he had \u201cvery bravely\u201d faced the question.<\/p>\n