US President, PM Modi to review cooperation in healthcare, other sectors

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a state visit to the United States next month that will underscore the growing importance of the bilateral strategic ties and both sides will reflect on their vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have invited PM Modi to attend a state dinner on June 22, according to the news agency PTI.

“President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India for an Official State Visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner, on June 22,” MEA said.

The visit will offer a valuable opportunity for the two countries ‘India and US’to further deepen their comprehensive and forward-looking global strategic partnership. MEA did not mention the duration of PM Modi’s visit to the US.

People familiar with the preparation for the trip said exact details of the prime minister’s schedule are being worked out, adding the visit is likely to start on June 21 and the duration could be of four days.

Notably, it will be PM Modi’s first visit to the US after Joe Biden became President. The prime minister visited Washington in September 2021 to attend the first in-person Quad Leaders Summit. Modi had a bilateral meeting with Biden during that visit, PTI reported.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on an official state visit to the United States of America, which will include a state dinner on June 22 following an invitation from President Joseph Biden and First Lady Jill Biden,” the MEA added.

The ministry said that the visit will underscore the growing importance of the strategic partnership between India and the US as the two nations collaborate across numerous sectors.

“The leaders will have the opportunity to review strong bilateral cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, including technology, trade, industry, education, research, clean energy, defense, security, healthcare, and deepening people-to-people connections,” MEA stated.

The MEA added that PM Modi and Joe Biden will also explore ways to strengthen India-US collaboration in plurilateral and multilateral fora, including in the G20.

Both sides will reflect on their shared vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and discuss opportunities to expand and consolidate the Quad engagement.

The White House said PM Modi’s visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the US and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together, as per PTI reports.

“The leaders will discuss ways to further expand our educational exchanges and people-to-people ties, as well as our work together to confront common challenges from climate change, to workforce development and health security,” the White House added. LiveMint