President Joe Biden arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for the G20 Leaders’ Summit 2023, which will be held on September 9 and 10. He was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport and participated in a bilateral meeting with him at the Hyderabad House.
The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, trade, security, and regional stability. They also reaffirmed their commitment to the Quad framework and the Indo-Pacific vision.
Biden thanked Modi for hosting the G20 summit and praised India’s leadership in the global arena. He said that the US and India share a strong and strategic partnership based on common values and interests. He also expressed his condolences for the victims of the recent floods in India and offered US assistance.
Modi welcomed Biden to India and said that he was looking forward to working with him on various global challenges. He said that the G20 summit was an important opportunity to shape the post-pandemic world order and promote inclusive and sustainable development. He also appreciated Biden’s efforts to combat climate change and enhance vaccine production and distribution.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries in the fields of energy, health, education, science and technology, and defense. They also announced a new initiative called the Green Grids Partnership, which aims to expand clean energy access and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Biden is scheduled to attend the G20 summit on Friday and Saturday, along with other world leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
The G20 summit is expected to focus on four main themes: recovering from the pandemic, rebuilding sustainably, responding to the needs of the planet, and respecting human rights. The leaders will also discuss issues such as global health, digital economy, infrastructure, taxation, trade, and terrorism.
Biden will also hold several bilateral meetings with other leaders on the sidelines of the summit. He will also address a joint press conference with Modi on Friday evening.
This is Biden’s first visit to India as president and his second visit overall. He had visited India as vice president in 2014. He is also the first US president to attend a G20 summit hosted by India.
