Quad, combating terror, Covid-19, Afghanistan top PM’s US agenda

Countering terrorism, combating the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, stabilising Afghanistan, forging new technology partnerships and strengthening the Quad cooperation will be among key issues that will figure on the agenda of meetings during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US.

In a pre-departure statement ahead of his September 22-25 visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted key objectives of his trip to Washington and New York.

“The Summit provides an opportunity to take stock of the outcomes of our Virtual Summit in March this year and identify priorities for future engagements based on our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region,” said PM Modi ahead of the first in-person Quad summit in Washington on September 24.

“My visit to the US would be an occasion to strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with USA, consolidate relations with our strategic partners – Japan and Australia – and to take forward our collaboration on important global issues,” he said. PM Modi had intense back-to-back engagements in Washington, which includes the Quad summit and in-person bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

In Washington, he will have a meeting with top US corporate honchos where he will pitch for increasing American investment in India. PM Modi will also meet Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Indian-American to occupy the second highest position in the US, “to explore opportunities for cooperation between our two nations particularly in the area of science and technology.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1440323729553199116PM Modi will conclude his visit to the US “with an Address at the United Nations General Assembly focusing on the pressing global challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change and other important issues.”

In a curtain-raiser media briefing, Foreign Secretary Harshvardhan Shringla outlined issues on the agenda of the Modi-Biden meeting. “The two leaders are expected to discuss how to bolster a bilateral trade and investment ties, strengthen defence and security collaboration, boost the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership, explore new avenues and emerging technologies, including through R&D, innovation and industry linkages,” said Mr Shringla.

“The bilateral meeting will also feature current regional security situation following recent developments in Afghanistan, our stakes as a neighbour and a long standing and preferred development partner of the people of Afghanistan,” said Mr Shringla.

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