Biden affirms importance of Indo-US ties during conversation with PM Modi

New Delhi, Nov 18: Prime Minister Narendra said that he spoke with US President-elect, Joe Biden on Tuesday evening.

Spoke to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on phone to congratulate him. We reiterated our firm commitment to the Indo-U.S. strategic partnership and discussed our shared priorities and concerns, COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region," PM Modi said.

The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said that Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris in a separate message said that her election was a matter of pride for the Indian-American community. The MEA also said that PM Modi described Biden's election as a testament to the strength and resilience of democratic traditions in the United States.

The PM also recalled previous meetings with Biden, when he visited India in 2014 as Vice President.

A readout fro the Biden transition team said, "the President-elect thanked the Prime Minister for his congratulations and expressed his desire to strengthen and expand the U.S.-India strategic partnership alongside the first vice president of South Asian descent."

"The President-elect noted that he looks forward to working closely with the Prime Minister on shared global challenges, including containing COVID-19 and defending against future health crises, tackling the threat of climate change, launching the global economic recovery, strengthening democracy at home and abroad, and maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," said the readout.