Washington- President Joe Biden rolled out the White House red carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday as part of his effort to jump-start a stronger U.S.-India relationship and counter China’s global influence with a series of defense and trade agreements.
Biden treated Modi to a colorful White House South Lawn arrival ceremony before some 7,000 people in the morning, before the leaders gathered for Oval Office talks ahead of a glittering state dinner in the evening.
“The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together, and we are,” Biden said during the ceremony.
Washington wants India to be a strategic counterweight to China and sees India as a critical partnership, although some analysts and former officials question India’s willingness to stand up collectively to Beijing over issues such as Taiwan. Washington has also been frustrated by India’s close ties with Russia amid Moscow’s war in Ukraine, according to a report by Reuters.
Modi is seeking to raise the influence that India, the world’s most populous country at 1.4 billion, has on the world stage in the wake of strained ties with neighboring China.
“This grand welcome ceremony at the White House today is an honor and pride for the 1.4 billion people of India,” Modi said, speaking in Hindi. “This is also an honor for more than 4 million people of Indian origin living in the U.S. For this honor, I express my heartfelt gratitude.”
Both leaders noted that their country’s constitution started with the same three words, “We, the people.”
The festival-like opening ceremony featured violinist Vibha Janakiraman and a cappella group Penn Masala performing renditions of songs by the American group Maroon 5 as well as from movies featuring Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Biden said in the Oval Office before their private conversation that the two countries’ relationship needed to be “one grounded on democracy, human rights, freedom and rule of law.
Modi, reading from prepared remarks, said all eyes were on the world’s two largest democracies.
NEW US INDIA DEALS
Biden administration officials say sweeping agreements to be announced on semiconductors, critical minerals, technology, space cooperation and defense cooperation and sales will ring in a new era in relations between the two countries.
Some are aimed at diversifying supply chains to reduce dependence on China. The United States has also sought to address China’s rising influence in the Indo-Pacific region by bolstering defense ties with countries like India and Australia.
Biden and Modi will sign off on what one official called a “trailblazing” deal to allow General Electric (GE.N) to produce jet engines in India to power Indian military aircraft, through a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Aeronautics to produce the engines.
U.S. Navy ships in the region will be able to stop in Indian shipyards for repairs under a maritime agreement, and India will procure U.S.-made armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones.
U.S. chipmaker Micron Technology’s $2.7 billion plans a new semiconductor testing and packaging unit, to be built in Modi’s home state of Gujarat. The U.S. will also make it easier for skilled Indian workers to get and renew U.S. visas.
India also agreed to join the U.S.-led Artemis Accords on space exploration and to work with NASA on a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024.
Modi has been to the United States five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but the trip will be his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit. The two leaders held a private, intimate dinner at the White House on Wednesday night.
Biden and his wife Jill were set to give Modi gifts including a vintage American camera, a print of George Eastman’s patent of the first Kodak camera, a book of American wildlife photography and a signed first edition of Robert Frost poems.
Modi will address U.S. CEOs at a reception on Friday, as American companies plan new investments in India.
PM Modi Holds One-On-One Meeting With Biden
Later Modi held a one-on-one meeting with Biden in the Oval Office of the White House before holding delegation-level talks.
The societies and institutions of both the US and India are based on democratic values and both countries take pride in their diversity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the ceremonial welcome at the White House ahead of his official talks with US President Joe Biden.
The constitution of both countries begins with the “three words -We the People- as President Biden just mentioned”, said Modi, who is on his first state visit to the US.
Thanking Biden, his wife Jill Biden and the US administration for a warm and grand welcome, Modi said this is the first time the gates of the White House have been opened for Indian-Americans in such large numbers.
“This grand welcome ceremony at the White House today is an honour and pride for 1.4 billion people of India. This is also an honour for more than 4 million people of Indian origin living in the US. For this honour, I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden,” Modi said.
He said both countries take pride in their diversity, and “both of us believe in the fundamental principle of ‘In the interest of all, for the welfare of all'”.
He said about three decades ago, he had come to America as a common man and at that time, he had seen the White House from the outside.
“After becoming the Prime Minister, I’ve come here many times, but today for the first time the doors of the White House have been opened for the Indian-American community in such large numbers,” he added.
He said Indian community members are enhancing India’s glory in the US through their hard work and dedication.
Noting that in the post-Covid era, the world order is taking a new shape, the Prime Minister said the friendship between India and the US will be instrumental in enhancing the strength of the whole world.
“The two countries are committed to work together for the global good and for global peace, stability and prosperity. Our strong strategic partnership is a clear proof of the power of democracy,” he said.
Modi said he will discuss with President Biden the India-US relations and various regional and global issues.
“The societies and institutions of both India and the US are based on democratic values. I’m sure that as always our conversation today will be very positive and useful.” Modi said he was thankful to have an opportunity to address the US Congress for the second time. “I am deeply grateful for this honour”.
On his part, President Biden said that the relationship between the US and India is one of the most defining relationships in the 21st century.
“Welcome back to the White House,” Biden said amid cheers from the crowd gathered on the South Lawn of the White House.
“Two proud nations — two proud nations whose love of freedom secured our independence, bound by the same words and our Constitution,” he said.
Asserting that decisions the two countries make today will determine the future of generations to come, Biden said the US and India are working closely in expanding healthcare, climate change and issues arising out of Russia’s aggression on Ukraine.
“The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together and we are. With your partnership, we’ve invigorated and elevated the Quad between the United States, India, Australia and Japan to advance our vision of a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” the US president said.
Noting that record numbers of Indian Americans are serving in the United States Congress, he said, “We see it here at the White House where proud Americans of Indian heritage serve our country every day, including our vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris.” “Stories that define the relationship and the limitless possibilities between the United States and India. Two great nations, two great friends, two great powers that can define the course of the 21st century,” he added.
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