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 primary in-person assembly with Vice President Kamala Harris on the White House throughout which they determined to additional cement the Indo-US strategic partnership and mentioned international problems with widespread curiosity, together with threats to democracy, Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific.
“India and America are natural partners. We have similar values, similar geopolitical interests,” Modi mentioned in a joint media look with Harris, the first-ever individual of Indian origin to be elected because the vice-president of the United States.
Noting that India and the US are the most important and oldest democracies, Modi mentioned the 2 international locations share values and their coordination and cooperation can also be steadily rising.
This is the primary assembly between the 2 leaders. Harris had earlier spoken with Modi over the telephone in June in the course of the COVID-19 disaster in India.

“You 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 advised Harris.
The two leaders had been carrying masks as they each spoke in entrance of a battery of pool reporters from each India and the US.
Modi invited the 56-year-old Democratic chief and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff to go to 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 COVID-19, climate change or the Quad,” Modi mentioned.
In an announcement, the Ministry of External Affairs mentioned the 2 leaders exchanged views on latest international developments, together with in Afghanistan and reaffirmed their dedication in the direction of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific area.
The two leaders mentioned the COVID-19 scenario of their international locations, together with ongoing efforts to comprise the pandemic by way of expedited vaccination efforts, and guaranteeing provide of essential medicines, therapeutics and healthcare tools, it mentioned.
“As pertains to the Indo-Pacific, the US stresses on sustaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, Harris mentioned, amidst China’s aggressive strikes within the strategically important area.
India, the US and a number of other different world powers have been speaking about the necessity to guarantee a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific within the backdrop of China’s rising navy manoeuvring within the area.
China claims practically the entire disputed South China Sea, although Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all declare elements of it. Beijing has constructed synthetic islands and navy installations within the South China Sea.
Harris mentioned the world is extra interconnected and extra interdependent than ever earlier than. “And the challenges that we face today have highlighted that fact. COVID-19, climate crisis and the importance of our shared belief in the Indo-Pacific region,” she mentioned.
“Both sides acknowledged the importance of collaborative action on climate change. Prime Minister spoke about India’s 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 assertion mentioned.
Modi famous that he had the chance to talk to Harris after she assumed the Vice Presidency. “One of our interactions happened when India was battling a very tough wave of COVID-19 infections. I recall your kind words of solidarity that time,” Modi mentioned.
India was confronted with the second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic. A really troublesome time for India, he mentioned. “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 I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” the prime minister mentioned.

“Like 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 mentioned.
Modi mentioned that the US Government, corporations based mostly within the USA and the Indian diaspora had been very useful when India was combating a troublesome wave of COVID-19 infections.
Both leaders acknowledged the colourful people-to-people linkages because the bedrock of the mutually helpful training linkages and the circulate of information, innovation and expertise between our two international locations.
Modi mentioned that 4 million folks of Indian origin are performing as a bridge of friendship between the 2 international locations.
Harris described India as a “very important partner” to the US and welcomed New Delhi’s announcement that it’s going to quickly resume vaccine export.
India stopped the export of COVID-19 vaccines after the second wave of the pandemic hit the nation in April this 12 months.
On Monday, India mentioned that it’s going to resume export of surplus COVID-19 vaccines within the fourth quarter of 2021 underneath the ”Vaccine Maitri” programme and to fulfill its dedication to the COVAX international pool.
On the problem of the local weather disaster, she advised Modi that the US working along with India can haven’t solely a profound affect on folks of countries however all over the world itself.
Harris mentioned that it’s incumbent on the 2 nations to guard democracies in the most effective pursuits of individuals of the 2 international locations.

“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 mentioned.
Their assembly comes a day forward of the maiden bilateral assembly between Modi and President Joe Biden and the Quad Leaders’ Summit on the White House on Friday.
They additionally mentioned areas of future collaboration, together with house cooperation, Information Technology, particularly rising and demanding applied sciences, in addition to the cooperation in healthcare sector.