New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington DC on Thursday, during his visit to the USA and praised her as a "source of inspiration" while extending an invitation to her to visit India.
They expressed happiness at their first in-person meeting and warmly recalled their telephone conversation earlier in June 2021.
"Your election as Vice President of USA has been an important and historic event. You are a source of inspiration for many across the world. I am confident that under President Biden and your leadership, our bilateral relations will touch new heights," PM Modi said in a joint press conference with Harris after the two leaders met.
The leaders exchanged views on recent global developments, including in Afghanistan and reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
The two leaders also discussed the COVID-19 situation in their respective countries, including ongoing efforts to contain the pandemic through expedited vaccination efforts, and ensuring supply of critical medicines, therapeutics and healthcare equipment.
Both sides acknowledged the importance of collaborative action on climate change. Prime Minister spoke about India's push for increasing renewable energy and the recently launched National Hydrogen Mission. He also emphasized the importance of lifestyle changes to promote environmental sustainability.
They also discussed areas of future collaboration, including space cooperation, Information Technology, especially emerging and critical technologies, as well as cooperation in the healthcare sector.
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Both leaders acknowledged the vibrant people-to-people linkages as the bedrock of the mutually beneficial education linkages and the flow of knowledge, innovation and talent between our two countries.
Modi landed in the US on Thursday morning to attend the first in-person Quad leaders summit to be held in Washinton DC on September 24. Quad leaders summit will be hosted by US President Biden. Australian Prime Minister and Japanese Prime Minister will also join the meeting along with the US and India.
