In a monumental move to bolster India-US relations, President Joe Biden touched down in New Delhi on Friday, September 8, embarking on his first presidential visit to India to deepen ties and engage in pivotal dialogues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, setting a fortified ground ahead of the high-stake G20 summit hosted by the Indian premier.
Biden, adhering to strict CDC guidelines owing to recent COVID-19 developments, initiated the visit with a harmonious meeting with Modi, a representation of the camaraderie between the two nations with an expanding portfolio of collaborative ventures encompassing a broad spectrum of sectors including defence, space, education, and health.
Reinforcing Quad and Bilateral Ties
A focal point of their discussions was the Quad alliance, a cornerstone in maintaining a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific region amidst China’s growing military foothold. The leaders articulated a mutual endeavour to enhance the multilateral system, with Biden endorsing India’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat, recognizing the country’s pivotal role in global dynamics. Modi expressed his eagerness to host the US president in the impending Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2024, pledging continued high-level engagement to foster a partnership built on the bedrock of democratic values, reflecting globally.
Defence and Technological Collaborations
The meeting heralded new frontiers in defence collaboration with India initiating the procurement of 31 MQ-9B drones from US-based General Atomics and fostering a commercial alliance with GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) for jet engine production in India. The discussion transcended traditional boundaries, embracing cooperative prospects in emerging domains such as 6G and artificial intelligence.
Chandrayaan-3 and Space Cooperation
In a warm gesture, Biden congratulated India on the historic landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the lunar south pole, spotlighting the deepening space collaboration between the two nations, a testament to their fortified bond in scientific exploration and innovation.
G20 Summit: Foreseeing Fruitful Outcomes
As New Delhi hosts the G20 summit, a platform embodying the majority of the global GDP and international trade, expectations soar with India spearheading crucial global discussions including the ramifications of the Ukraine conflict and fostering inclusive growth. Modi aims to guide the summit towards human-centric resolutions, a vision echoed by Biden who commended India’s presidency, expressing confidence in the convergence of shared objectives towards fruitful outcomes.
A Shared Vision for Global Good
At the heart of the interaction was a shared commitment to universal values such as freedom, democracy, and human rights, with both leaders accentuating the positive global impact fostered through India-US friendship. They envisaged a partnership beneficial not just for their respective nations, but representing a beacon of global good, steering the world towards a harmonious, resilient, and prosperous future.
As Biden’s landmark three-day journey unfolds, it rings in a renewed era in Indo-US relations, promising deeper bonds and enriched economic and people-to-people linkages, standing as a symbol of unity, mutual respect, and shared visions for a global community grounded in harmony and cooperative progression.
