 |
|
President Joe Biden expressed his commendation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visits to Poland and Ukraine, marking the first such trips by an Indian Prime Minister in decades. Biden acknowledged Modi's message of peace and his ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine, particularly in its energy sector. He also highlighted Modi's emphasis on the importance of international law and the UN charter in resolving the conflict. The meeting between the two leaders served as an opportunity for Modi to brief Biden on his previous visits to Moscow in July and Kyiv in August.
While acknowledging India's active engagement in peace talks, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri remained tight-lipped about specific details of the discussions between Modi and Biden regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Misri emphasized that India is engaged in ongoing conversations with various interlocutors on all sides of the conflict, highlighting the value placed on India's involvement in these discussions. He cautioned that there is still considerable work to be done before any concrete outcomes can be expected, but indicated that India will provide updates as developments unfold.
The meeting between Biden and Modi extended beyond the Russia-Ukraine conflict, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of strategic significance. The leaders hailed a groundbreaking agreement to establish a new semiconductor fabrication plant in India, aimed at bolstering national security, advancing next-generation telecommunications, and promoting green energy applications. This collaboration, facilitated by the India Semiconductor Mission and a strategic technology partnership involving Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the US Space Force, will focus on the production of infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide semiconductors.
Both leaders commended the ongoing efforts to establish resilient and secure semiconductor supply chains, citing the GlobalFoundries (GF) Kolkata Power Center as a key example. GF's plans to explore long-term, cross-border manufacturing and technology partnerships with India were also highlighted, emphasizing the potential for creating high-quality jobs in both countries. The strategic partnership between the US Department of State and the India Semiconductor Mission, a key component of the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund, was celebrated as a testament to the growing collaboration between the two nations.
Furthermore, the meeting yielded positive developments in the automotive sector. The commitment by Ford Motor Company to utilize its Chennai plant for manufacturing and exports to global markets underscores the deepening economic partnership between the US and India. This collaborative approach to building secure and resilient supply chains, combined with the strides made in the semiconductor sector, signifies a significant shift towards a stronger and more integrated economic relationship between the two countries.
Source: Joe Biden hails PM Modi's trip to Ukraine; FS Misri says very important conversations under way