Modi & Biden: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden on Monday. US President Biden will maintain “close talks on the repercussions of Russia’s cruel assault against Ukraine and reducing its destabilizing impact on global food supply and commodity markets,” according to a White House official.
“The two Leaders will discuss ongoing bilateral cooperation and share their perspectives on recent events in South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region, and global problems of mutual concern.” The virtual meeting would allow both parties to continue their frequent and high-level engagement aimed at developing the bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, according to a statement released by the MEA.
PM Modi and US Prez Biden to hold 2+2 dialogue
The leaders’ virtual meeting will take place ahead of the fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, which will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the Indian side, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony J Blinken on the American side.
In the aftermath of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and India’s carefully constructed diplomatic messaging to both the West, led by the US on one side, and Russia on the other, the discourse at the highest political levels is significant.
India abstained from resolution at UNHRC
India recently abstained on a resolution to expel Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council, despite condemning the Bucha massacre. This was interpreted as Delhi delivering a strong message to Moscow in response to Moscow’s activities in Ukraine. However, it has stated that it will not fully align with the US and the West due to its strategic interests with Russia, the most important of which is its reliance on defense supplies. In recent weeks, a number of high-level visitors from Washington, DC, including US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland and US Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics Daleep Singh, have visited.
“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will meet virtually with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India on Monday, April 11 to further enhance ties between our governments, economies, and people,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement coordinated with the MEA.
They would talk about “stopping the Covid-19 pandemic, fighting the climate disaster, strengthening the global economy, and supporting a free, open, rules-based international order to bolster security, democracy, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” she said.
The phrase “security, democracy, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific” is an allusion to Beijing’s belligerence in the region. The leaders will continue to discuss the building of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the delivery of high-quality infrastructure, she said.