NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden discussed the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic recovery, climate action, recent developments in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, and the situation in Ukraine in a virtual meeting on Monday.
During the meeting the two leaders reviewed developments in the bilateral relations, the Prime Minister’s office stated.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar, and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were present at the White House during the virtual meeting.
Ministers Singh and Jaishankar are in the United States to represent India in the 2+2 dialogue.
Modi and Biden acceded to the fact that further strengthening of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership “would be of tremendous benefit” to India and the US, which would contribute to global peace, prosperity and stability, the PMO said.
“I spoke today with Prime Minister Modi of India. We committed to strengthening our defence, economic, and people-to-people relationship to together seek a peaceful and prosperous world,” President Biden said in a tweet after the meeting with PM Modi.
Prior to the virtual meeting, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki issued a statement which underscored Indo-Pacific and Russian attack on Ukraine.
“The Leaders will advance ongoing conversations about the development of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and delivering high-quality infrastructure. President Biden will continue our close consultations on the consequences of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and mitigating its destabilizing impact on global food supply and commodity markets,” White House stated ahead of the virtual meeting.