Biden, Modi commit to working closely on terrorism, Covid, Indo-Pacific

US President Joe Biden and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi have committed themselves to work closely on a range of issues from fighting terrorism and upholding territorial integrity to defeating the Covid19 pandemic and rebuilding the global economy according to the White HouseThe call to Modi on Monday was among the first by Biden after he assumed office to the leader of a country outside the tight network of neighbours and treaty allies During their phone conversation the White House statement said that they pledged to stand together against the scourge of global terrorismThe leaders agreed to continuing close cooperation to promote a free and open IndoPacific including support for freedom of navigation territorial integrity and a stronger regional architecture through the Quad the regional group of democracies India the US Japan and Australia it addedThe leaders agreed to stay in close touch on a range of global challenges and look forward to what the United States and India will achieve together for their people and for their nations the White House saidModi tweeted President JoeBiden and I are committed to a rulesbased international order We look forward to consolidating our strategic partnership to further peace and security in the IndoPacific region and beyondIn another tweet Modi said We discussed regional issues and our shared priorities We also agreed to further our cooperation against climate changeThe White House said that Modi and Biden agreed to work on rebuilding the postcoronavirus global economy in a way that benefits the people of both countriesThey also committed themselves to work closely together to win the fight against the Covid19 pandemic and renew their partnership on climate change according to the White HouseMyanmar where the military has blocked the outcome of the recent parliamentary elections and arrested State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi who was the de facto head of the nation and other leaders of the National League for Democracy came up in their discussionModi and Biden resolved that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld in Burma the statement saidBiden has said that promoting and defending democracy around the world would be a cornerstone of his foreign policy agendaThe statement said that during his call the president 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 USIndia relationshipIt appeared to allude to the criticism of India by some politicians from his party as well as entertainment figures who back him over the farmers protest and by organisations and media outlets about what they say are curbs on freedom of expressionBiden had not mentioned in his first foreign policy agendasetting speech last week the IndoPacific region which had been elevated by his predecessor Donald Trump in the US strategy to face the China challenge or IndiaBut in that speech he had made clear that China is the prime adversary for the USIn his call to Modi he has reaffirmed the importance of the IndoPacific region and the ties among the Quad which was rekindled during Trumps presidencyThe White House statement on the call with Modi did not directly mention China as it had in readouts of Bidens calls with Prime Ministers Scott Morrison of Australia and Yoshihide Suga of Japan during which it said that they had also discussed the IndoPacificBut the mention of support for territorial integrity in the discussion with Modi can be seen as a reference to the threats to India from China in the context of Secretary of State Antony Blinkens remarks at his Senate confirmation hearings about working with India so that no country in the region including China could challenge its sovereigntyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever