PM, Biden for stronger tech, defence relations

NEW DELHI: India and the US on Tuesday launched an initiative spearheaded by their National Security Councils to cooperate on critical technologies, committed to deepen the India-US Major Defence Partnership, and pledged to work jointly for a rules-based international order and a connected and secure world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden, who met in Tokyo on the margins of the Quad Summit, reviewed progress under the bilateral comprehensive global strategic partnership, and talked about a range of issues, including cooperation in global health and pandemic preparedness.

In remarks to the media before the meeting, Modi said the two sides have a strategic partnership based on trust, and their common interests in defence and their shared values have strengthened the bond of trust. “I am absolutely sure the India-US friendship will continue to be a force for good for global peace and stability, for sustainability of the planet and for human development,” he said.

Biden said both democracies are delivering through bilateral cooperation and Quad for the world. He added the new IndoPacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness reflect the vision of the two sides for a more connected and secure world. “I am committed to making the US-India partnership among the closest we have on earth,” he said.

During the meeting that lasted a little more than half an hour, the two sides launched the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), jointly led by their National Security Councils.