New Delhi, Sep 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who embarks on Wednesday on a four-day visit to the US to participate in the Quad Leaders’ summit and also address the UN General Assembly, said his visit would be an occasion to strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with the US and also consolidate relations with strategic partners Japan and Australia and take forward their collaboration on important global issues.
In a departure statement, the Prime Minister said he is visiting the USA on the invitation of US President Joe Biden, during which he will review the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership during a bilateral meeting with President Biden and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The two leaders will hold a bilateral summit in Washington on September 24.
“I am also looking forward to meeting Vice President Kamala Harris to explore opportunities for cooperation between our two nations particularly in the area of science and technology.”
PM Modi said he will participate in the first in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit along with President Biden, Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan.
“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,” he said.
He will also have an in-person bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Morrison of Australia and Prime Minister Suga of Japan “to take stock of the strong bilateral relations with their respective countries and continue our useful exchanges on regional and global issues”.
PM Modi said he will focus on the pressing global challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change and other important issues in his address at the UN General Assembly on September 25.
“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, according to an official statement.
In a series of tweets, he said:
“At the invitation of @POTUS @JoeBiden, I am visiting USA to continue our dialogue, and exchange views on areas of mutual interest. Also looking forward to meet
@VP @KamalaHarris to discuss global issues and explore ideas for cooperation between India and the United States.“Will also participate in the Quad with President @JoeBiden, PM @ScottMorrisonMP
and PM @sugawitter. We will take stock of outcomes of Summit in March. I will also address UNGA focusing on the global challenges.”
UNI
