Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi of the Republic of India Before Bilateral Meeting

Well, Mr. President -- Mr. President -- Mr. Prime Minister, (inaudible) Modi. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for being here, and welcome back to the White House.

Almost exactly 10 years ago, when I visited Mumbai as vice president, I emphasized how important it was for India and the United States to continue building a partnership small steps -- small steps at a time.

Over that past 10 years, those small steps have transformed into large progress. And today, the partnership between our countries is stronger than it has ever been.

We see it in our Major Defense Partnership, now a pillar in the Indo-Pacific peace and security structure. We see it in our economic ties and efforts to promote inclusive economic growth for our people and, quite frankly, people all around the world.

And we see it in our growing coop- -- cooperation on a whole range of issues: in space, emerging technologies, clean energy, global infrastructure.

And I want to thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for your decision to -- and hosting the G20 this year and focusing the world on the challenges that matter not just to you and I and our countries, but to all of us.

And I look forward to discussing how we can strengthen our partnership and build a future together worthy of both our peoples, one grounded on democracy, human rights, freedom, and the rule of law.

So welcome again, Mr. Prime Minister. We have a big agenda, I think, to continue to build our progress, again, step by step, but continue to build.

Thank you for being here.

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