Biden welcomes Modi to the White House.US and India are ‘great powers’

WASHINGTON, June 22 (Audio) US President Joe Biden welcomes Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House on Thursday as the two countries work together as “two great nations, two great friends and two great powers.” stressed the need to tackle the recession by We will solve the problems facing the world and determine the course of this century.

Modi said the bilateral relationship was “a tool to enhance the power of the entire world” as the world order was taking on a new shape.

At a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Mr Modi and First Lady Jill Biden greeted him with a 19-gun salute and chanted “Modi, Modi” several times as an estimated 7,000 Indian-Americans watched. . Sometimes “America, America.”

The two leaders met again on the same theme of cooperation and democratic values ​​before the start of bilateral talks.

The event included Vice President Kamala Harris, her husband, Gen. 2nd Class Douglas Emhoff, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti. attended as U.S. officials.

Indian delegates included Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Dvar, Foreign Minister Vinay Kwatra and Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

The reception marked the beginning of what would clearly be ‘India Day’ in the US capital. Biden and Modi will leave the reception to meet with their respective delegations, followed by a press conference where the two leaders will speak and answer questions.

Later in the afternoon, PM Modi will address a joint session of the US Congress for the second time. His first speech was in 2016 at the invitation of both Democratic and Republican congressional leaders.

In the evening, Prime Minister Modi and his delegation will be hosted by Mr Biden and First Lady at the first state dinner by an Indian leader in 15 years. Then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last hosted a state dinner in 2009 with then-President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

At a reception at the White House, Mr Biden said India and the United States continue to work together as part of the Quad formed with Japan and Australia, their importance to the Indo-Pacific, and cooperation on health and climate change issues. told about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“As a democracy, we can bring out the talent in all of us,” Mr Biden said, reflecting America’s concerns about challenges to democracy.

Modi also said democracy was a core value for both countries. Both Indian and U.S. institutions are “founded on democratic values, and their constitutions begin with the three words ‘We the People,’ and both are ‘proud of their diversity,’ and ‘We are the people.’ Both countries believe in diversity.” Fundamental Principles for the Good of All”.

He added: “This time the world order is taking on a new shape. The friendship between India and the United States will help increase the power of the whole world.”