Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden’s bilateral talks will take place on Friday, soon after the latter arrives in New Delhi in the evening for the G20 Leaders Summit on the weekend.
Only two months have passed since Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to the US for a state visit. This time around, the two leaders will focus on fast-tracking promises made during that visit in June as well as reviewing projects announced in Washington. There are fewer chances of them making any other big-ticket announcements.
Biden, who will be welcomed by union minister General VK Singh (Retd), will focus on how the US can deliver for developing countries, making progress on key priorities for Americans from climate to technology, and his commitment to the G20. The US has supported India’s proposal of inducting the African Union as a permanent member of the grouping.
After his talks with the prime minister, the US president will take part in the official sessions of the G20 on September 9 and 10.
Here are the agenda points for the bilateral talks between Modi and Biden:
- Review progress on announcement of consulates in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru as well as the mission in Seattle
- Fast-tracking GE Jet Engines deal announced in June. Last week, the US Congress approved the deal between GE and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for the manufacturing of GE F-414 jet engines
- Since India signed the Artemis Accords, the two are likely to talk about enhancing commercial collaboration between private sectors in space cooperation
- Both countries have already signed an agreement for cooperation in semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnership. They are likely to review the progress on this
- Relaxation in visa norms, academic programme for students
- The leaders noted talks between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) for the construction of six nuclear reactors in India. This time, reports suggest they could seal that deal as consultations are in the last stage
- A likely announcement over setting up a comprehensive global MRO facility as India will be procuring drones from General Atomics.
While bilateral visits are not included during G20 summits, India has made an exception for Biden as well as the Saudi crown prince.
Biden, who has visited India multiple times, will be visiting the country as the US president for the first time to show his commitment for India’s G20 presidency.
Here are the agenda points for Biden’s visit to the G20:
- Clean energy transition and climate change
- Mitigating economic and social impact of the Vladimir Putin-led Russia’s war in Ukraine
- Increasing the capacity of multilateral development banks and discussion on other global challenges.
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