Two great friends: India, US to shape global order

India in Washington: Biden and Modi pledge commitment to democratic values

- Prashant Jha

WASHINGTON: In a grand display of the growing strategic partnership and deep people-to-people convergence between India and the US, on the south lawns of the White House packed with 7,000 Indians and Indian-Americans, US President Joe Biden accorded a ceremonial state welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and said the “two great friends and two great powers" will define the 21st century.

Modi reciprocated the sentiment, thanking Biden for the warm welcome and opening the doors of the White House to people of Indian origin. Modi expressed conviction that the India-US friendship will be “instrumental" in shaping a new global order as a force for good, peace, and stability.

The two leaders pledged commitment to democratic values. Speaking about leading by the power of example, Biden, in his opening remarks on the lawns, emphasised that the principles of the rule of law, freedom of expression, religious freedom, and diversity of both peoples give depth to a shared future. Modi said both Indian and American systems and societies are based on shared democratic norms. “Both constitutions begin with ‘We the People’. Both our countries take pride in our diversity. We believe in the fundamental principle of, in the interest of all, for the welfare of all…Our strategic partnership is clear proof of democracy," the PM said.