Biden highlights ‘deep connection’ with India during virtual meeting with PM Modi

<p>
<strong>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden's virtual meeting on Monday evening centred mainly around the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as the two leaders discussed mitigating its destabilizing impact on global food supply and commodity markets.</strong></p>
<p>
The US President, who praised the "deep connection" between the two countries, was joined at the White House by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar and their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the interaction with PM Modi.<br />
<br />
The Indian ministers are in Washington for the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.</p>
<p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gX4LjCwk2Jc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>
"The two Leaders had an extensive exchange of views on several regional and global issues, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, global economic recovery, climate action, recent developments in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, and the situation in Ukraine. They also took stock of the significant progress made in bilateral relations in recent years," said the Indian Prime Minister's Office in a statement later.<br />
<br />
"Both leaders agreed that further strengthening of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership would be of tremendous benefit to the two countries, and would also contribute to global peace, prosperity and stability," it added.<br />
<br />
Ahead of the meeting, Biden had tweeted that he is "looking forward to further deepening ties between our governments, economies, and people".<br />
<br />
During the meeting, the US President welcomed India's humanitarian support for people of Ukraine who he said are suffering a "horrific assault".<br />
<br />
He said that the both countries will continue close consultation on how to manage and stabilise effects of the ongoing conflict.<br />
<br />
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his remarks, said that today's talks are taking place at a time when the situation in Ukraine remains very worrying.<br />
<br />
"I spoke to Presidents of Ukraine and Russia. I suggested President Putin to have direct talks with President of Ukraine," said PM Modi, adding that India is hoping that the ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine will pave the way for peace. <img alt="Modi Biden" src="https://www.indianarrative.com/upload/news/modi_biden_virtual.webp" style="width: 100%; height: 100%;" /></p>
<p>
PM Modi reiterated that India had condemned and demanded fair investigation into the recent reports of killing of innocent civilians in Bucha.<br />
<br />
He also highlighted that, as the world's two largest and oldest democracies, India and the US are "natural partners" and share a strong and growing major defence partnership.<br />
<br />
"Privileged to participate in the Modi-Biden Virtual Summit today. Thank the leaders for their guidance given to the 2+2 meeting," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted on Monday night.<br />
<br />
Jaishankar had begun the day with a breakfast meeting with his counterpart, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.<br />
<br />
"Wide ranging exchange of views on the global situation, regional hotspots and bilateral cooperation. Took place with the comfort and openness of true strategic partners," he had tweeted ahead of the 2+2 dialogue.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/modi-biden-virtual-meeting-ahead-of-india-us-ministerial-dialogue-today-163462.html">Modi-Biden virtual meeting ahead of India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue today </a></strong></p>