GG News Bureau
Washington DC, 25th Sep. President Joseph R. Biden welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House today for their first in-person Leaders’ engagement, renewing their close relationship and charting a new course to advance the partnership between the world’s largest democracies.
Although the two leaders have had several phone conversations after Biden became president, this was the first time that the two leaders sat face-to-face and discussed various issues.
The Leaders affirmed a clear vision that will guide the U.S.-India relationship forward: building a strategic partnership and working together with regional groupings, including ASEAN and Quad members, to promote shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond; developing a trade and investment partnership that increases prosperity for working families in both countries; finishing the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and other health challenges; galvanizing global efforts to scale up climate action; strengthening democratic values and institutions in support of our respective peoples; and enhancing people-to-people ties that have made both countries stronger.
In this meeting, PM Modi said that India and US can complement each other in the current decade. US President Joe Biden said that I had said long ago that India and the US will be the closest countries in the world in the coming times.
After the meeting, PM Modi tweeted that he had a great conversation with US President Joe Biden. His leadership on important global issues is commendable. We discussed how India and the US would advance cooperation in various fields and work together to overcome major challenges such as the corona pandemic and climate change.
In the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said- After assuming office, you have taken a unique initiative in every field, be it the Covid epidemic, climate change or Quad. This initiative will create a huge impact in the days to come. I am sure that in our conversation today we can also discuss all these issues in detail. How can we go together, what good we can do for the world.
US President Joe Biden said that I was convinced long ago that the US-India relationship could help us solve many global challenges. In 2006, when I was the Vice President, I had said that by 2020, India and the US will be the closest countries in the world.
In this meeting, US President Joe Biden committed to develop a strong partnership with India. The US President said- We are going to continue our strong partnership. Biden also made reference to Vice President Kamala Harris’s Indian heritage during the opening segment of the meeting.
PM Modi said- I am seeing a big change in the relations between India and US. I am seeing such transformation when we are dedicated to democratic traditions and values. Trade between India and the US has its own importance. In this decade also we can help each other a lot in the field of trade. There are many things that the US has which India needs. India has many things which can be useful for the US.
PM Modi said- Every topic mentioned by President Biden is important for India-US friendship. His efforts on the Corona pandemic, his initiatives on the QUAD and his efforts to mitigate climate change are noteworthy.
In the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said- Mahatma Gandhi always advocated that we are the trustees of this planet. This sense of trusteeship will also play an important role in the relationship between India and the US. The current decade is also very important for the spirit of that trusteeship of Mahatma Gandhi to the whole world.
Modi said, “Technology is becoming a driving force in the present times. We have to use our talents to leverage technology and for the greater good of the world. President Joe Biden mentioned Gandhi’s birth anniversary. Gandhiji had put forth his important ideas about trusteeship. This concept will prove to be very important for our planet in the coming time.”
US President Joe Biden said, “Our relations are like family. Four million people of Indian origin are here who make the US stronger. When we celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday next week, we have to remember that the values created by him, non-violence, tolerance and respect, are needed in today’s world more than ever before.”
PM Modi said that I see that the seeds of expansion of Indo-US relations have been sown under Biden’s leadership. Today’s bilateral summit is important. We are meeting at the beginning of the third decade of this century. Biden’s leadership will certainly play a key role in shaping this decade.
After the meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed the visitor’s book in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.
PM Modi said that I thank you for the warm welcome to me and my delegation. Even before this we had the opportunity to discuss. At that time you laid out the vision for India-US bilateral relations. Today you are taking the initiative to implement your vision to strengthen India-US relations.
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