US President Joe Biden, during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, confirmed that the United States is working with India to tackle poverty and climate change, in addition to efforts to end the war in Ukraine. He added, "The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require India and the United States to work together and to lead together, and that is what we are doing." He continued, "We are at a turning point and the decisions we make today will determine our fate for decades."
Biden, in a joint press conference with Modi on the first day of the latter's state visit to Washington, noted that the partnership between the two countries has become "stronger, closer, and more vibrant than any time in its history." He added that the economic partnership is experiencing "prosperity," with trade more than doubling over the past ten years. Modi referenced a "new chapter" in the "strategic partnership" between the two countries, after the leaders left the Oval Office where they discussed their differing positions on Russia and human rights.
On another note, Biden administration officials indicated that major agreements regarding semiconductors, rare minerals, technology, and cooperation in space and defense will be announced, adding that the sales will usher in a new era in the relations between the two countries. Biden and Modi will sign an agreement allowing General Electric to manufacture aircraft engines in India for Indian military aircraft through a deal with Hindustan Aeronautics. US Navy ships in the region will be able to dock at Indian shipyards for repair under a maritime agreement, and India will purchase American-made armed drones of the Sea Guardian MQ-9B model.
