US President Joe Biden recently commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his historic visit to Ukraine and his commitment to peace amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. During their meeting in Wilmington, North Carolina, Biden expressed strong support for India's bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council, emphasizing the importance of India's voice in global governance.

Both leaders highlighted the progress made in the India-US partnership, reflecting on their previous meetings and visits, including Modi’s participation in the G20 summit. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that the comprehensive global strategic partnership between the two nations is driven by shared democratic values and vibrant people-to-people ties. Discussions included ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors and tackle pressing global issues.

Biden praised India's leadership on the world stage, particularly Modi's role in the G20 and initiatives aimed at the Global South. He recognized India’s proactive approach to addressing global challenges, from pandemic responses to conflict resolution, underscoring India’s vital role in maintaining a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

The two leaders celebrated the successful Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), which aims to deepen strategic cooperation across key sectors, including semiconductors, space technology, and advanced telecommunications. They committed to enhancing collaboration in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clean energy, as well as strengthening ties with like-minded partners through the Quad initiative.

In the defense sector, Biden welcomed India's procurement of General Atomics MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft, which will bolster India's intelligence and surveillance capabilities. The leaders recognized ongoing cooperation in defense industrial partnerships, including co-production arrangements for critical military technologies. Modi's decision to implement a uniform Goods and Services Tax (GST) for maintenance and repair services further simplifies the regulatory landscape for the defense industry in India.

In the realm of clean energy, both leaders highlighted joint efforts to build secure supply chains and enhance manufacturing capabilities for clean technologies. They announced plans to unlock $1 billion in multilateral financing to support renewable energy projects and facilitate collaboration on emerging clean technologies.

The meeting also addressed global health issues, with the launch of the new US-India Drug Policy Framework aimed at combating synthetic drug trafficking. They celebrated the inaugural US-India Cancer Dialogue, which seeks to accelerate research and innovation in cancer treatment.

Overall, the discussions between President Biden and Prime Minister Modi mark a significant step forward in enhancing India-US relations, emphasizing mutual interests and collaborative efforts to tackle global challenges.