Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to US President Joe Biden on Monday, with the two leaders releasing a statement on the need to "ensure a rules-based international order and a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region".
In a tweet, PM Modi said that he conveyed his best wishes to the US president, and the two leaders discussed regional issues as well as shared priorities. "We also agreed to further our cooperation against climate change," he said. According to a PMO statement on the telephonic conversation, Modi warmly congratulated President Biden, conveyed best wishes for his tenure, and looked forward to working closely with him to further elevate the India-US Strategic Partnership.
Last month, Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. PM Modi was one of the few world leaders to have spoken with Biden soon after his electoral victory in November. “Prime Minister Modi spoke to president-elect Biden on 17 November in which the two leaders reiterated their firm commitment to bilateral strategic partnership and discussed shared priorities such as COVID-19 pandemic, energy and climate change, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region,” Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu had said.
In recent days, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval have spoken to their respective US counterparts.
Soon after the latter assumed office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had congratulated Joe Biden. Modi said he is looking forward to working with Biden to strengthen the India-US strategic partnership. “My warmest congratulations to @JoeBiden on his assumption of office as president of the United States of America. I look forward to working with him to strengthen India-US strategic partnership,” Modi tweeted.
“My best wishes for a successful term in leading USA as we stand united and resilient in addressing common challenges and advancing global peace and security,” the prime minister said in another tweet.
Pointing out that the India-US partnership is based on shared values, Modi said the two countries have a substantial and multifaceted bilateral agenda, growing economic engagement and vibrant people to people linkages. “Committed to working with President @JoeBiden to take the India-US partnership to even greater heights,” he further said.
-Inputs from PTI
