UPDATE - Indian, US leaders meet ahead of G-20 summit in New Delhi

UPDATES WITH JOINT STATEMENT

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted US President Joe Biden for bilateral talks ahead of the G-20 summit in New Delhi this weekend.

Modi's office shared images of the discussions between the two leaders at the prime minister's residence.

Modi and Biden are "holding talks at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in Delhi. Their discussions include a wide range of issues and will further deepen the bond between India and USA," said the office on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The White House said Biden entered Modi's residence at 7.31 p.m. local time (1401GMT). The bilateral meeting began at 7.45 p.m. (1415GMT) and ended at 8.37 p.m. (1507GMT).

The meeting comes as the US seeks to add momentum to its efforts to counter China on the global stage.

In a joint statement from India and the US, the White House said the leaders reemphasized the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, pluralism, and equal opportunities.

The leaders reiterated their commitment to the G-20 and expressed confidence that the New Delhi summit of G-20 leaders will advance shared goals, including sustainable development, multilateral cooperation, and reshaping multilateral development banks.

- Support for UN Security Council reform

During the meeting, Biden reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member.

"The leaders once again underscored the need to strengthen and reform the multilateral system so it may better reflect contemporary realities and remain committed to a comprehensive UN reform agenda, including through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council," said the statement.

Biden and Modi also unveiled a set of agreements covering technology and trade, celebrating high-tech trade deals encompassing semiconductors, telecommunications, and computing.

"The leaders lauded the settlement of the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute between India and the United States," said the statement.

It also said Modi and Biden reaffirmed the importance of the Quad in supporting a "free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific," adding that the Indian prime minister looked forward to welcoming Biden to the next Quad leaders’ summit to be hosted by India in 2024.

Additionally, the two leaders committed to maintaining strong engagement between governments, industries, and academia, advancing the India-US partnership for mutual prosperity and global well-being.

Addressing reporters en route to India, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Washington "has a deep stake in stewarding the G-20 and making sure that it remains a central mechanism for global coordination on all the major challenges we face."

Chinese President Xi Jinping has opted not to attend this weekend's gathering in what marks one of its most high-profile absences. Russian President Vladimir Putin will also not be among the crowd due to an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in March for his actions in the Ukraine war.

On Sunday, Biden and other G-20 leaders will visit India's Raj Ghat Memorial in Delhi, which commemorates the legacy of India's freedom icon Mahatma Gandhi.

He will then depart India for Vietnam where he will pay a one-day visit to the Southeast Asian country to meet with leaders, including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh before departing for a Sept. 11 memorial service in Alaska.