PM Modi, US Prez Biden to Meet Virtually on Monday; Russia-Ukraine War on Agenda

The White House said that Biden will continue close consultations on the consequences of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

PM Narendra Modi will hold a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden on 11 April, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday, 10 April.

(Photo: The Quint)

PM Narendra Modi will hold a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden on 11 April, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday, 10 April.

The two leaders will review ongoing bilateral cooperation and exchange views on recent developments in South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and global issues of mutual interest, the statement said.

The virtual meeting will enable both sides to continue their regular and high-level engagement aimed at further strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, the MEA added.

In a statement about the meeting, the White House said that President Biden will continue US's close consultations with India on the "consequences of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and mitigating its destabilising impact on global food supply and commodity markets."

In February, the Biden administration had reached out to its counterparts in India at various levels, ranging from the White House, the State Department, and the National Security Council, seeking full support from the country on the Ukrainian crisis.

The two leaders’ virtual interaction will precede the 4th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue which will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the Indian side and their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Biden-Modi Meet at Quad Call

Biden last spoke to PM Modi with the other Quad leaders in March.

A joint readout of the call said that the Quad leaders had reaffirmed their dedication to the body as a mechanism to promote regional stability and prosperity.

The Quad leaders discussed the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and assessed its broader implications, a statement had said.

"They agreed to stand up a new humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mechanism which will enable the Quad to meet future humanitarian challenges in the Indo-Pacific and provide a channel for communication as they each address and respond to the crisis in Ukraine," it added.