US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral ties during direct talks in New Delhi ahead of the Group of 20 (G20) summit, Al Jazeera reported.
Reaffirmation of Indo-Pacific Strategy: In a joint statement issued on September 8, Biden and Modi underscored their support for a "free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific." This reaffirmation of their commitment to the Indo-Pacific region comes within the framework of the Quad alliance, which also includes Australia and Japan. The Quad alliance is seen as a response to China's growing influence in the region.
Bilateral Relations: This meeting marked the second in-person encounter between Biden and Modi since June, when Modi visited the White House. Both leaders are keen to bolster their alliance, especially in the face of China's rising influence. The discussions reflected a sense of camaraderie between the two leaders, as Al Jazeera's Katrina Yu noted, describing the current phase as a "golden age" in US-India relations.
Geopolitical Context: The United States views India as a potential counterweight to China, its primary global competitor. India, on the other hand, aims to position itself as an alternative leader of the Global South, a role currently held by China. Recent tensions between India and China over border disputes have heightened the significance of India's role in the region.
Deals and Agreements: Biden and Modi discussed deals reached during their June talks in Washington, D.C. Notably, General Electric was granted the ability to produce jet engines in India for Indian military aircraft. Additionally, India agreed to purchase US drones. Both leaders emphasized shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and equal opportunities.
Human Rights Concerns: The Biden administration has faced criticism from human rights advocates for not addressing human rights issues and religious freedom concerns in India. An independent US commission recommended adding the Indian government to a religious freedom blacklist, citing worsening conditions for religious minorities.
G20 Summit: Biden's presence at the G20 summit was aimed at highlighting the US and its allies as preferable economic and security partners compared to China. The US proposed an initiative to increase the lending power of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund by $200 bn, presenting an alternative to China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.
Chinese Absence at G20: It's noteworthy that Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend the G20 summit, sending Premier Li Qiang instead. This absence provides the Biden administration with an opportunity to emphasize its value proposition to the Global South, showcasing its alternative approach to economic and infrastructure development.
The direct talks between President Biden and Prime Minister Modi serve as a testament to the strengthening of US-India ties, particularly in the context of their shared concerns about China's influence. The joint statement reaffirms their commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and their willingness to cooperate on various fronts, including defense deals and economic initiatives.
Earlier Daryo reported that Indian PM Modi grants African union permanent G20 membership.
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