PM Modi meets Kamala Harris; both agree 'India and America are natural partners'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, DC during which the two leaders discussed the unfolding situations in Afghanistan and reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. 

The delegation-level talks were held a day ahead of the QUAD meeting, wherein heads of India, Japan, Australia and the US will be participating. 

From the Indian side, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Indian Ambassador to the US, TS Sandhu were present during the talks. 

Besides, the two leaders discussed the Covid-19 situation in their respective countries, including ongoing efforts to contain the pandemic through expedited vaccination efforts, and ensuring supply of critical medicines, therapeutics and healthcare equipment. 

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On climate change, the two sides agreed for collaborative action on it. 

During their meeting, PM Modi and Harris discussed areas of future collaboration, including space cooperation, Information Technology, especially emerging and critical technologies, as well as the cooperation in the healthcare sector. 

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According to an official statement, 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. 

Ahead of their bilateral meeting, the two leaders delivered a joint statement in which the US stated India as a natural partner. 

PM Modi expressed hope that under US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ leadership the bilateral relations between the two countries would scale new heights. 

During their joint statement, Modi said that India and America are natural partners. 

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We have similar values, geopolitical interests, and our coordination and cooperation is also increasing, PM Modi said, adding that the vibrant and strong people-to-people connections between India and the United States is a bridge between our two countries.

He also thanked the Biden-Harris administration for extending support during the Coronavirus when India was struggling to deal with the pandemic situation last year. 

Talking about the India Diaspora, the prime minister said that over four million Indians were staying in the US and they are the bridge between the two nations. 

Calling India an important partner to the US, Harris said assured that Washington will work together with New Delhi to strengthen the relationship between the two nations.

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Highlighting about the relations the two countries are having, she said, “We had Covid-19, the kind of crisis and importance of our shared belief in a free and open Indo-Pacific region." 

Early in the pandemic, India was a vital source of vaccines for other countries, the US Vice President said, recalling how the two nations worked together.

On climate change, she said that India has taken takes the issue of climate crisis seriously. 

Harris said that India and the US working together can not only have a significant impact on the people of the two nations but also the world.

Harris also welcomed India's announcement to resume the export of vaccines.

PM Modi further extended an invitation to US Vice President Kamala Harris to visit India and said she is a source of inspiration across the globe.

Earlier in the day, he held separate meetings with the leading CEOs and also held a bilateral meeting with Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.