PM Modi meets US Vice President Kamala Harris; discusses bilateral ties, Indo-Pacific

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described India and America as natural partners as he held the first inperson meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House during which they decided to further cement the IndoUS strategic partnership and discussed global issues of common interest including threats to democracy Afghanistan and the IndoPacificIndia and America are natural partners We have similar values similar geopolitical interests Modi said in a joint media appearance with Harris the firstever person of Indian origin to be elected as the vicepresident of the United States Noting that India and the US are the largest and oldest democracies Modi said the two countries share values and their coordination and cooperation is also gradually increasingBoth the leaders appreciated that the bilateral relationship is on a sound footing Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told reporters here while giving details of the meeting that lasted for an hour This is the first meeting between the two leaders Harris had earlier spoken with Modi over the phone in June during the Covid19 crisis in IndiaYou are the source of inspiration for so many people across the world I am completely confident that our bilateral relationship will touch new heights under President Biden and your leadership Modi told Harris Later in tweet Modi said Glad to have met VPKamalaHarris Her feat has inspired the entire world We talked about multiple subjects that will further cement the IndiaUSA friendship which is based on shared values and cultural linkagesThe two leaders were wearing masks as they both spoke in front of a battery of pool reporters from both India and the US Modi invited the 56yearold Democratic leader and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff to visit India Both President Biden and you assumed office at a time when our planet faced very tough challenges In a short time you have had many achievements to your credit be it Covid19 climate change or the Quad Modi saidIn a statement the Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders exchanged views on recent global developments including in Afghanistan and reaffirmed their commitment towards a free open and inclusive IndoPacific region The two leaders discussed the Covid19 situation in their countries including ongoing efforts to contain the pandemic through expedited vaccination efforts and ensuring supply of critical medicines therapeutics and healthcare equipment it saidAs relates to the IndoPacific the US stresses on maintaining a free and open IndoPacific Harris said amidst Chinas aggressive moves in the strategically vital region India the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free open and thriving IndoPacific in the backdrop of Chinas rising military manoeuvring in the regionChina claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea though Taiwan the Philippines Brunei Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea Harris said the world is more interconnected and more interdependent than ever before And the challenges that we face today have highlighted that fact Covid19 climate crisis and the importance of our shared belief in the IndoPacific region she saidBoth sides acknowledged the importance of collaborative action on climate change Prime Minister spoke about Indias push for increasing renewable energy and the recently launched National Hydrogen Mission He also emphasized the importance of lifestyle changes to promote environmental sustainability the statement said Modi noted that he had the opportunity to speak to Harris after she assumed the Vice Presidency One of our interactions happened when India was battling a very tough wave of Covid19 infections I recall your kind words of solidarity that time Modi saidIndia was confronted with the second wave of the Covid 19 pandemic A very difficult time for India he said Like a family the sense of kinship and so warmly you extended a helping hand the words that you chose when you spoke to me I will always remember that and Id like to thank you from the bottom of my heart the prime minister saidLike a true friend you had given a message of cooperation and were very full of sensitivity and immediately after that we found that the US government the US corporate sector and the Indian community all came together to help India he said Modi said that the US Government companies based in the USA and the Indian diaspora were very helpful when India was fighting a tough wave of Covid19 infections Both leaders acknowledged the vibrant peopletopeople linkages as the bedrock of the mutually beneficial education linkages and the flow of knowledge innovation and talent between our two countriesModi said that four million people of Indian origin are acting as a bridge of friendship between the two countries Harris described India as a very important partner to the US and welcomed New Delhis announcement that it will soon resume vaccine export India stopped the export of Covid19 vaccines after the second wave of the pandemic hit the country in April this year On Monday India said that it will resume export of surplus Covid19 vaccines in the fourth quarter of 2021 under the Vaccine Maitri programme and to meet its commitment to the COVAX global poolOn the issue of the climate crisis she told Modi that the US working together with India can have not only a profound impact on people of nations but around the world itself Harris said that it is incumbent on the two nations to protect democracies in the best interests of people of the two countries As democracies around the world are under threat it is imperative that we defend democratic principles and institutions within our respective countries and around the world And that we maintain what we must do to strengthen democracies at home and it is incumbent on our nations to of course protect democracies in the best interests of people of our countries she saidTheir meeting comes a day ahead of the maiden bilateral meeting between Modi and President Joe Biden and the Quad Leaders Summit at the White House on Friday They also discussed areas of future collaboration including space cooperation Information Technology especially emerging and critical technologies as well as the cooperation in healthcare sectorShringla said the contribution of Indian professionals especially in the IT domain biotechnology space and other areas which represent the knowledge economy was appreciated by both There was a sense that India had capable professionals in the high tech sector including research and development capacities and the US which is known for cutting edge technologies and innovation were obvious partners he saidShringla said that the Vice President has graciously accepted the invitation of the Prime Minister to visit India Strong commitment to further deepen bilateral relations tweeted MEA Spokeperson Arindam Bagchi Leadershiplevel engagement continues to be an integral element of our expanding bilateral partnership with the USA he saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever