Key takeaways from Modi-Biden meet in US
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Joe Biden held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Quad Summit at the latter's residence in Delaware on Saturday. The leaders discussed several topics, including a drone deal and setting up a semiconductor plant in Kolkata. "Prime Minister emphasized that...India and USA enjoy a comprehensive global strategic partnership that covers all areas of human endeavor, driven by...democratic values, convergence of interests and vibrant people-to-people ties," the Ministry of External Affairs said.
US welcomes India's procurement of 31 MQ-9B drones
The leaders discussed the defense partnership between their countries, including drone procurement and joint military exercises. President Biden welcomed India's acquisition of 31 General Atomics MQ-9B drones (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian), which will enhance the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities of India's armed forces. The US had approved this sale to the Indian military at an estimated cost of $3.99 billion in February.
Lockheed Martin, Tata Advanced Systems sign joint agreement
The leaders also discussed the joint agreement signed by Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited, two companies that co-chair the US-India CEO Forum, on the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. They lauded the growing defense collaboration between both countries through the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) initiative, launched in 2023. They also discussed progress achieved during the third INDUS-X Summit in Silicon Valley earlier this month.
Kolkata to host new semiconductor fabrication plant
Plans to set up a new semiconductor fabrication plant in Kolkata were also discussed. The White House said that both leaders "hailed a watershed arrangement to establish a new semiconductor fabrication plant focused on advanced sensing, communication, and power electronics for national security, next generation telecommunications, and green energy applications." The plant will be established with support from the India Semiconductor Mission as well as a strategic technology partnership between Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the US Space Force.
US supports India's permanent membership in UN Security Council
During the talks, Biden said that the US supports initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect India's important voice, including permanent membership for India in the UN Security Council. The US President commended PM Modi for his recent visits to Poland and Ukraine. He also appreciated India's role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean region and its contributions toward peacekeeping missions worldwide.
