Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington on September 22 on an official visit to the U.S. during which he held the first face-to-face meeting with President Joe Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris .
He attended the maiden in-person Quad summit on September 24 with the U.S. President and Prime Ministers of Japan and Australia -- Yoshihide Suga and Scott Morrison.
Mr. Modi addressed the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 25.
Here are the latest developments:
Confident that our efforts will enhance peace and harmony
Mr. Modi ends his address with words of Rabindranath Tagore, "Boldly proceed on your path of good deed, may you overcome all weaknesses and doubts ". This message is relevant to all responsible nations, as it is to the UN, he says.
“I am confident that our efforts will enhance peace and harmony in the world and will make the world healthy, safe and prosperous.”
Strengthen the UN to safeguard global order
Quoting Acharaya Chanakya, Mr. Modi says, "When the right action is not taken at the right time, then it is time itself that causes the action to fail"
If the United Nations wants to remain relevant, it will need to improve its effectiveness and enhance its reliability, Mr. Modi says referring to the various questions being raised about the UN.
With regard to the origin of COVID or the ease of doing business rankings, the international institutions have damaged their credibility. It is essential we constantly strengthen the UN to safeguard global order
We must fulfil our duty towards people of Afghanistan
On terrorism, Mr. Modi says it is necessary to ensure that Afghanistan's territory is not used for spreading terrorism, and that no country takes advantage of the delicate situation there. The people, women, children and minorities of Afghanistan need our help, he notes. We must fulfil our duty by providing them with this help, he says.
"World is facing an increased threat of regressive thinking"
Referring to a rise in extremism around the world, Mr. Modi said, "In such a situation the entire world must make science-based rational and progressive thinking the basis for development"
We are promoting experienced-based learning, and a strong startup ecosystem has been developed.
On the occasion of its 75th Independence year, India is going to launch 75 satellites into space, made by our students.
On the other hand, countries with regressive thinking suing terrorism as a political tool, must understand that terrorism is an equally big threat for them also.
Ensure technology with democratic values
Our democratic values inspire Indians across the world to continue serving mankind.
Corona pandemic has taught us that the global economy needs to be diversified even further and for this expansion of global value chains is important, Mr. Modi says, noting that India is becoming a reliable partner.
He says India balances economy and ecology.
Mr. Modi notes that India is moving fast towards its goal of 450 gw of renewable energy. "We are answerable to our future generations," he says.
COVID-19 vaccine production and delivery in India
India is putting all efforts into vaccine delivery and manufacturing, despite its limited resources. India has developed the world's first DNA vaccine, he notes. An mRNA vaccine is in the final stages of development and Indian scientists are also working on the development of a nasal vaccine.
India has resumed the process of providing vaccine to those who need it in the world, Mr. Modi says, extending an invitation to vaccine manufacturers to manufacture in India.
Science and techonology innovations taking place in India can make a big contribution to the world
Referring to India's technological advancements, Mr. Modi says, that the scalability of our tech solutions and the cost effectiveness are unparalleled.
Over 3.5 billion transactions are taking place in India through UPI, Mr. Modi says. Further India's digital platform CoWin is providing vaccine support.
Importance of property rights and ownership records
For the development of any country, people must have property rights to their home and land, Mr. Modi says.
Speaking on the issue of digital land records, Mr. Modi notes that 600,000 villages are being mapped using drones. When India grows, the world grows, he says.
Tackling water pollution
Polluted water is a very big problem not just for India, but entire world. We are carrying out a very big campaign to ensure piped water reaches 170 million homes, Mr. Modi says.
Expansion of self from individual to society, nation and entire humanity
Today is the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, the proponent of integral humanism.
India today is moving forward on the path of integrated equitable development. Development should be all- inclusive, all-pervasive, universal and one that nurtures all.
During the last 7 years, we have brought over 430 million people into banking system, and over 360 million people have insurance coverage as security, he says.
I represent a country that is proud to be known as the mother of democracy: PM Modi
We have had a great tradition of democracy that goes back thousands of years, he says.
Mr. Modi highlights the diversity of India, calling it a vibrant democracy. The strength of our democracy is demonstrated by the fact that a little boy who used to help his father at a tea stall is addressing the UN for the fourth time, he says.
Yes, democracy can deliver. Yes, democracy has delivered, notes Mr. Modi.
PM offers condolences to all families who lost members to COVID-19
For the last one and a half years, the world has been grappling with the worst pandemic it has seen, Mr. Modi says, paying tribute to all the lives that have been lost.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the UN General Assembly
He is the first speaker for the 14th plenary meeting.
During his visit to U.S., Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
India welcomes U.S.’ efforts to fight climate change, its return to Paris Agreement
India has welcomed America’s efforts to combat climate change and its return to the Paris Agreement as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden held their first in-person bilateral meeting at the White House.
President Biden, in his talks with Prime Minister Modi in the Oval Office of the White House, expressed support for India’s intention to achieve a domestic goal of installing 450 GW of renewable power by 2030, according to the US-India Joint Leaders’ Statement issued after their meeting on Friday.
The meeting holds importance ahead of the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in UK’s Glasgow where leaders of nearly 200 countries will gather to discuss way forward to tackle climate action and the updated targets will be submitted.
India welcomed the U.S. leadership on climate action and its return to the Paris Agreement, the statement said.
-PTI
India playing leading role globally under PM Modi: BJP
Noting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meetings with a number of world leaders and corporate bigwigs during his U.S. trip, the BJP said on Saturday that India under his leadership has been playing a leading role in international diplomacy.
Party spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi also referred to the discussion on COVID-19 besides other issues in the Quad meeting, and said India will be playing a very important role in the production and distribution of over one billion vaccines to be made available for the members of the grouping.
PM Modi has met five CEOs and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, has held bilateral meetings with President Joe Biden and the leaders of two other Quad members, Japan and Australia, besides attending the meeting of the four-member group, Mr. Trivedi said, highlighting the "multi-dimensional" aspect of the prime minister's visit.
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Biden reiterates US support for India’s permanent seat in UNSC, entry into NSG
U.S. President Joe Biden has reiterated America’s support for india's permanent membership on a reformed United Nations Security Council and its entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group during his first in-person bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.
President Biden, in his talks with Prime Minister Modi, applauded India’s “strong leadership” during its U.N. Security Council Presidency in August 2021, according to the US-India Joint Leaders’ Statement issued after their meeting in the White House on Friday.
“In this context, President Biden also reiterated U.S. support for India’s permanent membership on a reformed U.N. Security Council and for other countries who are important champions of multilateral cooperation and aspire to permanent seats on the U.N. Security Council,” it said.
President Biden’s support provides a big boost to New Delhi’s push for the reform of the powerful U.N. organ as India has been at the forefront of efforts at the United Nations to push for an urgent long-pending reform of the Security Council, emphasising that it rightly deserves a place at the U.N. high table as a permanent member.
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U.S., India call for a swift return of democracy in Myanmar
Taking a firm stand against the coup in Myanmar, the U.S. and India have called for a swift return to democracy in the country, an end to the use of violence and release of all political detainees.
In a Joint Statement issued following the first face-to-face bilateral meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Friday, the two leaders also called for the urgent implementation of the ASEAN Five Point consensus on Myanmar.
“The Leaders called for an end to the use of violence, for release of all political detainees, and for a swift return to democracy in Myanmar. They further called for the urgent implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus,” the statement said.
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U.S. reaffirms 'unwavering commitment' to India as Major Defence Partner
U.S. President Joe Biden has reaffirmed his "unwavering commitment" to India as a Major Defence Partner through close engagements, including information sharing and strengthening cooperation in advanced military technologies.
During the first-ever in person bilateral meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Friday, they also welcomed the deepening of advanced industrial cooperation and noted the recent project to co-develop air-launched unmanned aerial vehicles under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative, and encouraged more such joint efforts.
"President Biden reaffirmed the strength of the defence relationship between the United States and India and the unwavering commitment to India as a major defence partner through close defence engagements in information sharing, sharing of logistics and military-to-military interactions, strengthening cooperation in advanced military technologies, and expanding engagements in a multilateral framework including with regional partners," said a joint statement issued after the bilateral meeting.
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India, U.S. call on Taliban to adhere to commitments
India and the U.S. have called on the Taliban to adhere to its commitments and respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children and minority groups, and asked the new rulers in Kabul to make sure that the war-torn country’s territory is never again used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists.
In a U.S.-India Joint Leaders’ Statement issued after the first in-person bilateral meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Friday, the two leaders underscored the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan.
The two leaders resolved that the Taliban must abide by UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021) which demands that Afghan territory must never again be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or finance terrorist attacks, and underscored the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, according to the joint statement.
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India, U.S. condemn cross-border terrorism
India and the U.S. have said that they will take concerted action against all terrorist groups, including groups proscribed by the UN as they condemned cross-border terrorism and called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to be brought to justice.
A Joint Statement issued after the first bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday said that the United States and India stand together in a shared fight against global terrorism.
The two leaders reaffirmed that the United States and India "will take concerted action against all terrorist groups, including groups proscribed by the UNSCR 1267 Sanctions Committee." They "condemned cross-border terrorism, and called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to be brought to justice. They denounced any use of terrorist proxies and emphasised the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks," the joint statement said.
Biden jokes about possible India connection in meeting with PM Modi
U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday, September 24, 2021 pleasantly spoke about his possible India connection during his first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recalling a story about a man with the Biden surname writing to him when he was first elected as a Senator in 1972.
Recalling the incident when he was in Mumbai as the U.S. vice president in 2013, Mr. Biden said that he was asked about if he has any relatives in India.
He said that the next morning, the press told him that there were five Bidens living in India.
"I have never been able to track it down so the whole purpose of this meeting is to help me figure it out," Mr. Biden said, triggering laughter among those present in the meeting room, including Prime Minister Modi.
Prime Minister Modi replied in affirmative. “Was I related?” the president asked when Mr. Modi informed him that he has brought along with him a set of documents from the investigations he did on the Bidens in India. “Yes,” Mr. Modi told Mr. Biden.
“Mr President, you have talked today and spoken in detail about the Biden surname in India. In fact you had mentioned that to me earlier too. Well, after you mentioned that to me, I looked for documents,” he said.
Quad to deepen counter-terrorism in Afghanistan
The group, comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Ministers Scott Morrison of Australia and Yoshihide Suga of Japan, also declared new joint positions in the region, such as coordinating diplomatically in Afghanistan.
In their joint statement, Quad leaders declared they would closely coordinate their “diplomatic, economic and human rights policies” towards Afghanistan and deepen their counter-terrorism and humanitarian cooperation there in accordance with United Nations Security Council 2593 (a resolution passed on August 30, when India held the presidency of the Council). The resolution seeks a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan and calls for the country not to be used as a base to nurture terrorism.
“We reaffirm that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts, and reiterate the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan,” the Quad statement said.
Quad leaders pledge to ensure 'free' and 'inclusive' Indo-Pacific
The Quad leaders have pledged to ensure a "free and open" Indo-Pacific, which is also "inclusive and resilient", as they noted that the strategically vital region, witnessing China's growing military manoeuvring, is a bedrock of their shared security and prosperity.
The Quad or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue comprises India, the US, Japan and Australia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison, Japanese premier Yoshihide Suga and U.S. President Joe Biden after their first in-person Quad summit on Friday described it as an opportunity to refocus themselves and the world on the Indo-Pacific and on our vision for what they hope to achieve.
“Together, we recommit to promoting the free, open, rules-based order, rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” the Quad leaders said in a joint statement.
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U.S. lawmakers welcome first Biden-Modi bilateral meeting, Quad summit
Top American lawmakers have welcomed the first bilateral meeting between Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the maiden in-person Quad summit hosted by the U.S. President to enhance America's cooperation with its allies to ensure security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The United States-India relationship is more important now than ever. With a rising China and the Taliban once again in control of Afghanistan, our partnership will bring greater stability and security to the Indo-Pacific,” Congressman Mark Green said.
Congressman Ami Bera, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, applauded Biden for convening the first-ever leader-level summit of the Quad countries.
“Today’s successful summit is a testament to our collective, unwavering commitment to a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific rooted in liberal values and international norms,” he said.
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Pakistan is 'arsonist' disguising itself as 'fire-fighter': India at UNGA
Pakistan, where terrorists enjoy free pass, is an "arsonist" disguising itself as a "fire-fighter", and the entire world has suffered because of its policies as the country nurtures terrorists in its backyard, India has said in a blistering retort after Prime Minister Imran Khan raked up the issue of Kashmir in his address to the UN General Assembly .
"We exercise our Right of Reply to one more attempt by the leader of Pakistan to tarnish the image of this august Forum by bringing in matters internal to my country, and going so far as to spew falsehoods on the world stage,” First Secretary Sneha Dubey said in the UN General Assembly on Friday.
In the Right of Reply, Ms. Dubey strongly reiterated that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh "were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation.” Mr. Khan and other Pakistani leaders and diplomats have consistently raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and other internal matters of India in their addresses to the UN General Assembly and other forums of the world organisation.
Asserting that Member States are aware that Pakistan has an established history and policy of harbouring, aiding and actively supporting terrorists, Ms. Dubey said the country has been globally recognised as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of State policy. "It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council."
