New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden on Monday (April 11) ahead of the 2+2 talks between India and the US. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) gave this information.
“The two leaders will review the ongoing bilateral cooperation and exchange views on recent developments in South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and global issues of mutual interest,” the foreign ministry said. Earlier, President Biden and PM Modi last met during the Quad Leaders’ Meet in March.
PM Narendra Modi will hold a virtual meeting with President of USA Joseph R Biden on 11th April. The two leaders will review ongoing bilateral cooperation & exchange views on recent developments in South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region & global issues of mutual interest: MEA
— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2022
The Ministry of External Affairs further said, “The virtual meeting will enable both sides to continue their regular and high-level engagement with the aim of further strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.”
2+2 Ministerial Talks
The virtual meeting will precede the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, which will be chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs (MEA) S Jaishankar from the Indian side and their US counterparts Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
At the same time, the White House also confirmed the talks, saying that “the two leaders will meet as a way of strengthening the relationship between our governments, our economy and our people.”
White House Press Secretary Jane Sackie said: “President Biden and Prime Minister Modi will discuss cooperation on a range of issues. Including ending the COVID-19 pandemic, combating the climate crisis, strengthening the global economy, maintaining a free, open, rules-based international order to strengthen security, democracy and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific .
“President Biden will continue our close consultation with us on the consequences of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and its mitigating impact on global food supply and commodity markets,” he said. The secretary also said that the leaders would continue the ongoing discussions on the development of the Indo-Pacific economic infrastructure and high-quality infrastructure.