PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Prez Biden on strengthening ties
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joseph R. Biden Jr. met for a bilateral discussion at his residence here late on Friday evening, discussing a wide range of issues and reiterating the strong and enduring partnership between their nations, and also highlighting the progress made since Prime Minister Modi's historic visit to Washington in June 2023.
Biden, along with Janet Yellen, went for closed-door meeting with PM Modi, shortly after Biden's Air Force One landed in Delhi ahead of the weekend's G20 summit. The Prime Minister's Office shared photos of the meeting.
This is President Biden’s first visit to India as US President, the last US President to visit India being Donald Trump in February 2020.
Both leaders called for continued efforts to enhance the India-US Strategic Partnership in various global aspects, emphasizing trust and mutual understanding.
They stressed the importance of shared values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, and equal opportunities.
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President Biden commended India's G20 Presidency and expressed confidence in the outcomes of the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi. They aim to accelerate sustainable development, multilateral cooperation, and consensus on inclusive economic policies.
The leaders emphasized the significance of the Quad in supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific and announced India hosting the next Quad Leaders' Summit in 2024. They welcomed the US co-leading the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Pillar on Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport, further to the U.S. decision to join IPOI in June 2023.
President Biden voiced support for India's bid for a permanent seat on a reformed UN Security Council and India's non-permanent UNSC seat in 2028-29. They underscored the need for UN reform and expansion of UN Security Council membership.
Both leaders acknowledged technology's role in strengthening their partnership through the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). A midterm review of iCET in September 2023 and an annual review in early 2024 were planned.
The leaders celebrated India's space achievements, including Chandrayaan-3's historic landing on the Moon's south polar region and the launch of Aditya-L1, India's first solar mission.
Collaboration on space exploration, including efforts toward a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024, was also confirmed.
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The leaders committed to enhancing semiconductor supply chains, with several US companies investing in India. They also highlighted cooperation in telecommunications, including the MoU between Bharat 6G Alliance and Next G Alliance.
India and the US pledged to work together in the quantum domain, with India's S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences joining the Quantum Economic Development Consortium. They welcomed collaborations in biotechnology and semiconductor research.
Efforts to promote technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities were reiterated, along with the establishment of the India-U.S. Global Challenges Institute.
The leaders addressed the digital gender divide and supported the Women in the Digital Economy Initiative. They aimed to deepen defense partnership in space and AI, including the co-production of GE F-414 jet engines in India.
They welcomed the second Master Ship Repair Agreement and greater investment in India's maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities. The India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) was applauded for its collaboration efforts.
President Biden welcomed India's procurement of General Atomics MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft. They stressed nuclear energy collaboration, India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and initiatives in renewable energy.
Both leaders celebrated the settlement of outstanding WTO disputes and looked forward to an "Innovation Handshake" agenda. They also emphasized cooperation in cancer research and prevention and renewed an agreement for the recovery of remains of fallen US service members.
In closing, Prime Minister Modi and President Biden committed to sustaining the high-level engagement between their nations, promoting an enduring India-US partnership that benefits their citizens and supports a free and open Indo-Pacific.
