Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Describing India and America as “natural partners” Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the two democracies have similar values and geopolitical interests.
His remarks came as he held the first in-person meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House during which they decided to further cement the Indo-US strategic partnership and discussed global issues of common interest, including threats to democracy, Afghanistan, and the Indo-Pacific.
“India and America are natural partners. We have similar values, similar geopolitical interests,” Modi said in a joint media appearance with Harris, who is the first-ever person of Indian origin, and a coloured woman, to be elected to the second-highest office in the United States.
Underlining that India and the US are the largest and oldest democracies, Modi said the two countries share values and their coordination and cooperation are also gradually increasing.
The two leaders appreciated that the bilateral relationship is on a sound footing, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said while briefing reporters about the hour-long meeting. Earlier, Modi and Harris had spoken on phone in June during the second wave of Covid-19.
At their first in-person meeting, Modi told Harris, “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.”
Later, the PM tweeted, “Glad to have met @VP@KamalaHarris. Her feat has inspired the entire world. We talked about multiple subjects that will further cement the India-USA friendship, which is based on shared values and cultural linkages.”
Modi also invited Harris, the 56-year-old Democratic leader, and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, to visit 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 said.
In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders exchanged views on recent global developments, including in Afghanistan, and reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. They discussed the Covid-19 situation in their countries, including ongoing efforts to contain the pandemic through expedited vaccination efforts, and ensuring supply of critical medicines, therapeutics and healthcare equipment.
“The US stresses on maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Harris said, in remarks amidst China’s aggressive moves in the strategically vital region.
“Both sides acknowledged the importance of collaborative action on climate change. The 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 statement said.
Modi recalled his conversation with 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 said.
“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 PM said.
“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 said.
Modi said that four million people of Indian origin are acting as a bridge of friendship between the two countries.
Harris described India as a “very important partner to the US and welcomed New Delhi’s announcement that it will soon resume vaccine export.
On Monday, India said that it will resume the export of surplus Covid-19 vaccines in the fourth quarter of 2021 under the ”Vaccine Maitri” program and to meet its commitment to the COVAX global pool.
They also discussed areas of future collaboration, including space cooperation, Information Technology, especially emerging and critical technologies, as well as the cooperation in the healthcare sector.
Shringla said that the US Vice-President has “graciously” accepted the invitation of the Prime Minister to visit India. “Strong commitment to further deepen bilateral relations!” tweeted MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
“Leadership-level engagement continues to be an integral element of our expanding bilateral partnership with the USA!” he said.