US President Joe Biden praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his historic visit to Ukraine and his message of peace amid the war with Russia. The US also supported India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.
Here are some key takeaways from the bilateral meeting:
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Boosting India-US relations
The Prime Minister met the US President at his residence in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Ministry of External Affairs said that in the meeting, the Prime Minister appreciated President Biden’s unique contribution in giving momentum to the India-US partnership. Recalling his last visit to the US last year and President Biden’s visit to India for the G-20 Summit, the Prime Minister said that the visits have brought greater dynamism and depth to the India-US partnership.
The Prime Minister emphasised that India and the US now enjoy a comprehensive global strategic partnership that covers all spheres of human endeavour, inspired by shared democratic values, convergence of interests, and vibrant people-to-people ties, the MEA said. The two leaders discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest and exchanged views on global and regional issues in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, it said.
India’s global role
A White House statement said President Biden appreciated India’s leadership on the world stage, particularly Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in the G20 and the Global South. The US President also praised the Prime Minister’s commitment to strengthening the Quad to ensure a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
“India is at the forefront of efforts to find solutions to the most pressing challenges, from supporting the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic to combating the devastating consequences of conflicts around the world,” the White House said.
It said President Biden commended Prime Minister Modi for his historic visits to Poland and Ukraine, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in decades, and also appreciated his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine. The statement did not say anything about the Prime Minister’s visit to Russia.
President Biden told Prime Minister Modi that the US supports initiatives to reform global institutions “to reflect India’s important voice.” The US also supported India’s permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council.
From space to semiconductors
The two leaders commended the success of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) in deepening and expanding strategic cooperation in key technology areas, including space, semiconductors, and advanced telecommunications, the White House has said.
“The two leaders committed to enhance regular engagement to improve the momentum of cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnology, and clean energy. They highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation with like-minded partners, including through the Quad and the US-India-ROK Trilateral Technology Initiative launched earlier this year, to build more secure and resilient supply chains for critical industries and ensure that we collectively remain at the leading edge of innovation,” the statement said. The leaders also supported new mechanisms for deeper cyberspace cooperation, including through a bilateral Cybersecurity Dialogue, it said.
“President Biden and Prime Minister Modi applauded a landmark arrangement to establish a new semiconductor manufacturing plant focused on advanced sensing, communications, and power electronics for national security, next-generation telecommunications, and green energy applications,” the White House said. The two leaders praised joint efforts to facilitate resilient, secure, and sustainable semiconductor supply chains.
In the area of space technology, the two leaders welcomed progress towards the first joint effort by NASA and ISRO to conduct scientific research on the International Space Station in 2025.
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Promoting defence ties
The US President welcomed the progress made by India in completing the purchase of 31 General Atomics MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) remotely piloted aircraft and their related equipment, the White House said, adding that this will enhance the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of India’s armed forces.
The two leaders acknowledged the progress made under the US-India Defense Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, including ongoing collaboration to advance priority co-production arrangements for jet engines, munitions, and ground mobility systems. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden also welcomed efforts to expand the defense industrial partnership.
“President Biden welcomed India’s decision to set a uniform goods and services tax (GST) rate of 5 per cent on the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector, including all aircraft and aircraft engine parts, simplifying the tax structure and paving the way for creating a strong ecosystem for MRO services in India. The leaders encouraged the industry to foster collaboration and promote innovation to support India’s efforts to become a leading aviation hub,” the White House said.
“The leaders appreciated the recent signing of a teaming agreement on the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft between Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited, who co-chair the US-India CEO Forum. Building on the industry’s long-term collaboration, the agreement will establish a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support the readiness of the Indian fleet and global partners operating the C-130 Super Hercules aircraft,” it said. It further said this is a significant step in US-India cooperation in the defence and aerospace sector.
Read: India, US to advance bilateral ties to expand clean energy supply chains
clean energy
Prime Minister Modi and President Biden welcomed joint efforts to accelerate the expansion of safe and secure clean energy supply chains through US and Indian manufacturing of clean energy technologies and components. “In its initial phase, the US and India will work together to unlock $1 billion in multilateral financing to support projects across the clean energy value chain for renewable energy, energy storage, power grid and transmission technologies, high-efficiency cooling systems, zero-emission vehicles, and other emerging clean technologies,” the White House said.
It added, “The leaders also highlighted the US International Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC) partnerships with India’s private sector to expand clean energy manufacturing and diversify supply chains. To date, DFC has provided a $250 million loan to Tata Power Solar to build a solar cell manufacturing facility in India and a $500 million loan to First Solar to build and operate a solar module manufacturing facility.”
The two leaders welcomed India-US collaboration on a new National Center for Hydrogen Security in India and reaffirmed their intention to use the new Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAPP) to enhance collaboration on clean energy manufacturing and global supply chains.
The leaders welcomed the progress made in joint efforts towards IEA membership for India from 2023, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on the International Energy Programme.
“The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the manufacturing and deployment of renewable energy, battery storage, and emerging clean technologies in India,” the White House said.
Promoting global health and development
The two leaders commended the new U.S.-India Drug Policy Framework, which will deepen cooperation to combat the illicit production and international trafficking of synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals and further strengthen the overall public health partnership.
“The leaders commended the first US-India Cancer Dialogue, scheduled to be held in August 2024, bringing together experts from both countries to advance research and development to accelerate the rate of progress against cancer,” the White House said.
“The leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Small Business Administration to promote cooperation between US and Indian small and medium-sized enterprises by improving their participation in the global market through capacity building workshops in areas such as trade and export finance, technology and digital trade, green economy, and trade facilitation,” it said.
“The leaders welcomed enhanced cooperation on agriculture between the US Department of Agriculture and India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in areas such as climate resilient agriculture, agricultural productivity growth, agricultural innovation, and sharing of best practices related to crop risk protection and agricultural credit. The two sides will also enhance cooperation with the private sector through discussions on regulatory issues and innovation to enhance bilateral trade,” the White House said.
