India and US agree on an Ambitious Agenda for India-US Relationship

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 US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have set up an ambitious agenda to take the bilateral relationship between India and USA to the next level. Modi is the first foreign leader, whom Biden has spoken with beyond neighbours and key NATO allies, reflecting on the significance his administration attaches to ties with India. Thereafter, Biden called leaders of close American allies, including Britain, France, Germany, South Korea and Australia.

India and USA have an ambitious agenda for cooperation. India looks forward to working with the new administration and other stakeholders around five areas:

  1. Cooperation in healthcare and pharma and COVID-19 management, including affordable medicines and vaccines.
  2. The digital space, including information and communication technology, innovation and start-ups.
  3. The energy sector, including LNG, renewables, solar that will allow us to combat climate change.
  4. Education and knowledge partnership.
  5. Cooperation in strategic and defense areas, including in the Indo-Pacific.

The US President has underscored his desire to defend democratic institutions and norms around the world and noted that a shared commitment to democratic values was the bedrock for the US-India relationship. The two leaders resolved that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld in Burma (now Myanmar). Highlights of alignments between the two leaders are as under:

  1. Biden and Modi committed that the US and India will work closely together to win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. To renew their partnership on climate change, rebuild the global economy in a way that benefits the people of both countries,
  3. To stand together against the scourge of global terrorism.
  4. To continue close cooperation to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, including support for freedom of navigation, territorial integrity and a stronger regional architecture through the Quad.

Based on common shared values and strategic interests, the two countries pledged to remain committed to advancing India-US Strategic Partnership and closely working together with like-minded countries in meeting regional and global challenges.

Focus on Indo-Pacific developments and Quad cooperation

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a telephonic conversation on 09 March 21, focusing on developments in the Indo-Pacific as well as cooperation under the framework of Quad or Quadrilateral coalition. The talks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden held a comprehensive telephonic conversation since the new American administration took charge last month.

High level meetings between Quad leaders

A visit by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to India has been announced from March 19 to March 21 this will be his first foreign visit after taking over a Secretary of Defence. He will be holding discussions, among others with Indian Defence Minister, Mr Rajnath Singh to deepen defence cooperation between the two countries. There are several big ticket deals in the pipeline like purchase of 30 armed drones and six P--81 long range maritime patrol aircraft.

The first ever Quad leaders summit is to be held on Friday in which President Biden will be talking to PM Modi, PM Scott Morrison of Australia and PM Yushihide Suga of Japan.

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