India is the mother of democracy, Modi told the Joint sitting of US Congress
"Democracy is one of our sacred and shared values. Throughout history, one thing has been clear, democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity. Democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse. Democracy is the culture that gives wings to thought and expression. India is blessed to have such values from time immemorial. India is the mother of democracy".
#US to set up consulates in #Ahmedabad and #Bengaluru. #India will open a new mission in #Seattle.
US President Joe Biden says, "Climate change is the most serious problem we face...We have made enormous progress here in the US in dealing with this issue by doing three things...". Biden also calls India-US partnership "most consequential", says our nations look to one another.
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Modi says India 'completely ready' to help Ukraine 'peace' efforts
The partnership is "stronger, closer and more dynamic than at any time in history," Biden told reporters at a joint press conference with Modi, and the economic relationship is "booming," with trade more than doubling over the past decade.
Modi touted "a new chapter" to the countries' "strategic partnership" after the two leaders emerged from Oval Office talks where the countries' differences on Russia and human rights were on the table.
Washington wants India to be a strategic counterweight to China and sees it as a critical partnership, although some analysts and former officials question India's willingness to stand up collectively to Beijing over issues such as Taiwan. Washington has also been frustrated by India's close ties with Russia amid Moscow's war in Ukraine.
Modi is seeking to raise the influence that India, the world's most populous country at 1.4 billion, has on the world stage in the wake of strained ties with neighboring China.
The press conference itself was a reflection of contrasting political traditions, marking the first time Modi has taken questions in such a format in his nine-year tenure.
Modi's visit was not without controversy. His planned speech later on Thursday to a joint meeting of Congress, normally an affirmation of a visiting leader from an allied nation, was set to be boycotted by a raft of liberal lawmakers.
As 7,000 well-wishers gathered for a colorful opening ceremony at the White House, a far smaller group of demonstrators gathered blocks away to protest the Biden administration's coziness with Modi.
"But, for Biden, the benefits of engaging with the world's most populous democracy at a moment of increased tensions with rival China have outweighed both the costs and risks," - says a Reuters report.
"The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together, and we are," Biden said as he welcomed Modi to the White House. He promised to discuss human rights, freedom and the rule of law with Modi, and told reporters after their talks that they had a "straight forward" discussion.
President Joe Biden called religious freedom a "core principle" for India and the United States as he welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House on Thursday, news agency AFP reported.
“Equity under the law, freedom of expression, religious pluralism and diversity of our people -- these core principles have endured and evolve. Even as they have faced challenges throughout each of our nations' histories, and will fuel our strength, depth and future,” AFP quoted President Biden as saying.
“Both of our countries take pride in their diversity. Both of us believe in the fundamental principle of 'in the interest of all,' 'for the welfare of all,” PM Modi said.
“The two countries are committed to work together for the global good and for global peace, stability and prosperity. Our strong strategic partnership is a clear proof of the power of democracy,” he added.
Notably, President Biden has been facing pressure from members of his own party, who are calling on him to express concerns about press freedom and the human rights situation in India under the Modi government and to directly address these issues in his bilateral talks.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders accused the Modi government of pushing "aggressive Hindu nationalism". In a tweet, Sanders expressed his concerns, saying, "Prime Minister Modi's government has cracked down on the press and civil society, jailed political opponents, and promoted an aggressive Hindu nationalism that leaves little room for India's religious minorities. President Biden should raise these issues in his meeting with Prime Minister Modi."
PM Modi also said, "We have launched an international solar alliance for the world and today several countries in the world are working with us."
"We are seeing that due to natural calamities, there is a huge loss to the infrastructure. We care about our future generations, so we are taking a global responsibility to support the world in the crisis of climate change".
Biden said : "...we are straightforward with each other and we respect each other. One of the fundamental reasons, I believe, the US-China relations is not in the space as US-India relationship is, there is an overwhelming respect for each other because we are both democracies..," says US President Joe Biden when asked for "his message to those, including some members of his own party, who believe that Biden administration is overlooking the targeting of religious minorities in India"
Modi said: ...India and America are walking shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism and extremism. We agree that concerted action is necessary to end cross-border terrorism"
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