“India and the US are natural partners. We have common values, geopolitical interests,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a joint media appearance with US Vice President Kamala Harris.
Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India and the US are “natural partners” as he held his first-ever personal meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House during which the two leaders strengthened the bilateral strategic partnership and discussed issues. Of. of mutual and global interest.
“India and the US are natural partners. We have common values, geopolitical interests,” PM Modi said in a joint media appearance with Ms. Harris. Noting that India and the US are the largest and oldest democracies, PM Modi said that both the countries share values and their cooperation is also gradually increasing.
This is the first meeting between the two leaders. Ms Harris had earlier spoken to PM Modi over the phone in June during the COVID-19 crisis in India.
“I am confident that our bilateral relations will scale new heights under President Joe Biden and you,” PM Modi said, describing Harris as “a source of inspiration to many in the world”. He invited Ms. Harris to visit India.
Ms Harris, 56, is the first Indian-origin person to be elected as the Vice President of the United States of America.
PM Modi said, “President Biden and you took office at a time when our planet faced very difficult challenges. In a short time you have achieved many achievements, be it COVID-19, climate change or Quad. “
“We have had the opportunity to speak after you took over as Vice President. We had a conversation when India was battling a very difficult wave of COVID-19 infections. I remember your words of solidarity at that time,” he said.
PM Modi said that the US government, companies based in the US and the Indian diaspora were of great help when India was fighting a tough wave of COVID-19 infections.
He said that 40 lakh people of Indian origin are working as a bridge of friendship between the two countries.
On her part, Ms Harris described India as a “very important partner” for the US and welcomed New Delhi’s announcement that it would soon resume vaccine exports.