Indo-US partnership most consequential, says US President Joe Biden

 Both nations have democracy in DNA: Modi

WASHINGTON, DC: Calling the partnership between India and the US "most consequential," US President Joe Biden said on Thursday (local time) that, together, both nations are unlocking a shared future with unlimited potential.

Addressing a joint press conference today, the US President also underlined how trade has doubled between the two countries over the past decade to more than USD 191 billion. "Trade between our countries has almost doubled over the past decade to more than USD 191 billion, supporting tens of thousands of good jobs in both India and the United States," he added.

Biden asserted, Together, we are unlocking a shared future with unlimited potential. Collaboration on space flight to accelerate the clean energy transition and collaboration on quantum computing and Artificial intelligence"

He further mentioned that Air India's purchase of Boeing planes would support the creation of one million jobs in the USA.

"One million American jobs across 44 states will be supported by the purchase of more than 200 American-made Boeing aircraft that Air India announced earlier this year, and with this visit, Indian firms are announcing more than USD 2 billion in new investments in manufacturing solar in Colorado, steel in Ohio, and optic fibre in South Carolina," Biden added.

The US President further said that the two leaders not only discussed how to mitigate the effects of the war in Ukraine but also discussed how the Pacific can remain secure.

He added, saying, "Indians and Americans are people who innovate.". The discussions also took place regarding the growing defence partnership between India and the US.

Terming the US as the most important trade partner of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "It's a special day for Indo-US ties. We have cooperation in multiple sectors. There will be increasing technology and Artificial Intelligence in Indo-US ties. Cooperation in the defence sector is the key to the ties between the two great democracies."

When asked about democracy, Modi said, "India is a democracy. India and the US both have democracy in their DNA. Democracy is in our spirit, and we live it. It's in our Constitution. There is no question of discrimination on the grounds of caste or religion. India believes in sabka saath, sabka vishwas, and sabka prayaas."

When asked about tackling climate change, Modi said, ""Environment has an important place in our culture. We don't believe in the exploitation of nature.

We are working to make India a green energy hub. As far as India is concerned, the environment and climate have an essential place in our culture and tradition. The environment is an article of faith for us. India not only works to protect its own environment but also works to protect the world. We are taking global initiatives to do the same. India is the only G20 country in the world that kept the promise it made in Paris to protect the environment."

He said India and America are walking shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism and radicalism.

Earlier today, US President Joe Biden said the India-US partnership was stronger than ever.

"Over the past ten years, small steps have transformed into large progress. Today, the partnership between our countries is stronger than it has ever been," Joe Biden said during the bilateral meeting with PM Modi at the Oval Office of the White House.

The US President expressed his gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for his decision to host the G20 this year.

"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your decision to host the G20 this year... I look forward to discussing how we can strengthen our partnership," Biden said.

He added that India and the US collaborated on a range of areas, including space, marine technology, and green technology. (ANI and agencies)

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