This was the first conversation between PM Modi and Joe Biden after the US President's inauguration.
Highlights
- PM Modi tweeted that he has spoken to US President Joe Biden
- The PM said they agreed to further co-operation against climate change
- We are committed to a rules-based international order, he said
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Monday to say that he has spoken to the new US President Joe Biden to discuss regional issues and "our shared priorities" and express commitment to a "rule-based international order". This was the first telephonic conversation between the two leaders after Mr Biden's inauguration which took place last month.
The two leaders noted that the India-US partnership is "firmly anchored in a shared commitment to democratic values and common strategic interests", read a communique from the Prime Minister's Office.
"They reiterated the importance of working with like-minded countries to ensure a rules-based international order and a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region," the communique read.
"President @JoeBiden and I are committed to a rules-based international order. We look forward to consolidating our strategic partnership to further peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond," PM Modi said in another tweet.
A statement from the White House said that President Biden, in the phone call with PM Modi, "underscored his desire to defend democratic institutions and norms around the world and noted that a shared commitment to democratic values is the bedrock for the U.S.-India relationship."
The two leaders have also agreed to further their cooperation against the global climate change. "Prime Minister welcomed President Biden's decision to re-commit to the Paris Agreement and highlighted the ambitious targets India has set for itself in the area of renewable energy," his office said.
Soon after taking over, Mr Biden has started the process of rollback of the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, effected by his predecessor Donald Trump.
After Mr Biden's inauguration as the 46th President of the United States in January, PM Modi had congratulated him in a series of tweets. At the time, he had said that India will work with the United States to ensure global peace and security and take the partnership between the two nations to greater heights.
The India-US partnership is based on "shared values", one his posts read. "We have a substantial and multifaceted bilateral agenda, growing economic engagement and vibrant people to people linkages. Committed to working with President @JoeBiden to take the India-US partnership to even greater heights," PM Modi had added.
The Prime Minister had spoken to Mr Biden after his election victory, reiterating India's firm commitment to the strategic partnership between the two nations. He had also congratulated Vice-President elect Kamala Harris, saying her election was a matter of pride for the Indian-American community.
The Democrats came to power in the US after the Presidential election in November. The change of guard at the White House took place after weeks of tussle with outgoing Republican President Donald Trump, who insisted that he was the real winner of the election.