The two countries always try to nurture common ground by saying that India and the US are the largest and oldest democracies, and PM Modi said here that the two countries share values and their coordination and cooperation are also gradually increasing.
During this meeting, they endeavored to strengthen 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 VP Harris on Thursday, notably, she is the first-ever person of Indian origin to be elected as the Vice President of the United States.
Kamala Harris had earlier spoken with PM Modi over the phone in June during the COVID-19 emergency in India.
“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,” PM Modi told Harris.
Later in a tweet, Modi said, “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.”
Notably, the two leaders were wearing masks as they both before several reporters from both India and the US.
“As related to the Indo-Pacific, the US stresses on maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Kamala Harris said, amidst China’s belligerent progress in the strategically vital region.
She also said the world is more interconnected and more interdependent than ever before. “And the challenges that we face today have highlighted that fact. COVID-19, climate crisis and the importance of our shared belief in the Indo-Pacific region,” she said.
“Both sides acknowledged the importance of collaborative action on climate change. The Prime Minister of India 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.
PM Modi pointed out that he had the opportunity to speak to VP 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,” he said.
India was confronted with the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. A very difficult time for India, he 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 prime minister 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.
PM Modi went on to say that the US Government, companies based in the USA, and the Indian diaspora were very helpful when India was fighting a tough wave of COVID-19 infections.
Both leaders acknowledged the vibrant people-to-people linkages as the bedrock of the mutually beneficial education linkages and the flow of knowledge, innovation, and talent between our two countries.
The prime minister also said that four million people of Indian origin are acting as a bridge of friendship between the two countries.
Kamala Harris on her side described India as a “very important partner” to the US and welcomed New Delhi’s announcement that it will soon resume vaccine export.
On the issue of the climate crisis, she told Modi that the US is working together with India can have not only a profound impact on people of nations but also around the world itself.
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.
Indian Foreign Service Officer, Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, “The contribution of Indian professionals, especially in the IT domain, biotechnology, space, and other areas, which represent the knowledge economy was appreciated by both. There was a sense that India had capable professionals, in the high tech sector including research and development capacities, and the US which is known for cutting edge technologies and innovation, were obvious partners,” he said.
Shringla said that the 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.
VP Harris said that it is incumbent on the two nations to protect democracies in the best interests of the people of the two countries.
“As democracies around the world are under threat, it is imperative that we defend democratic principles and institutions within our respective countries and around the world. And that we maintain what we must do to strengthen democracies at home and it is incumbent on our nations to of course protect democracies in the best interests of people of our countries,” she said.