Silent on Russia, joint statement hails ties spanning ‘seas to stars’

On the difficult issue of the Ukraine conflict where divergences exist, the joint statement made no mention of Russia or the US formulation on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The paragraph on Ukraine said, “President Biden and Prime Minister Modi expressed their deep concern over the conflict in Ukraine and mourned its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. The leaders underscored the serious and growing impacts of the war on the global economic system, including on food, fuel and energy security, and critical supply chains. They called for greater efforts to mitigate the consequences of the war, especially in the developing world. Both countries further pledge to render continuing humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. They called for respect for international law, principles of the UN charter, and territorial integrity and sovereignty. Both countries concurred on the importance of post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine.”

The joint statement said that President Biden and Prime Minister Modi recommitted themselves to empowering the Quad as a partnership for global good.

It said Modi welcomed the US joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and Biden welcomed India’s continued participation as an observer in the Partners in the Blue Pacific.

They looked forward to both governments holding an inaugural Indian Ocean Dialogue in 2023.

“President Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated their enduring commitment to a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous India-Pacific region with respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, and international law. Both leaders expressed concern over coercive actions and rising tensions, and strongly oppose destabilising or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force,” the statement said, in a reference to Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

On terrorism, President Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

“They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks,” it said.

On cyber issues, Biden and Modi reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to an open, secure, inclusive, safe, interoperable, and reliable Internet, and to continuing cooperation on a range of cybersecurity issues, including preventing and responding to cyber threats, promoting cybersecurity education and awareness and measures to build resilient cyber infrastructure.

On human rights, the statement said that the United States and India reaffirm and embrace their shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, pluralism, and equal opportunities for all citizens.

“Both countries have a tradition of recognizing the diversity represented in their nations and celebrating the contributions of all their citizens. They reasserted that democracy, freedom, and rule of law are the shared values that anchor global peace and sustainable development. In keeping with the spirit of leaving no one behind, both leaders committed to working towards ensuring that fruits of economic growth and well-being reach the underprivileged. They also committed to pursue programs and initiatives that would facilitate women-led development, and enable all women and girls to live free from gender-based violence and abuse.”

The joint statement spoke of deliverables in the field of critical technologies including quantum, advanced computing, artificial intelligence, semiconductor supply chains, Critical Minerals Partnership, advanced telecommunications, NASA-ISRO collaboration, Innovation Handshake, cutting-edge research.

They also outlined the ‘Next-Generation Defence Partnership’, and the adoption of a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, which will provide policy direction to defence industries and enable co-production of advanced defence systems and collaborative research, testing, and prototyping of projects.

“Both sides are committed to addressing any regulatory barriers to defence industrial cooperation.  The leaders also noted the decision of India’s Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of Defence to commence negotiations for concluding a Security of Supply arrangement and initiate discussions about Reciprocal Defence Procurement agreement.”

They welcomed a groundbreaking proposal by General Electric to jointly produce the F414 jet engine in India – GE and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited have signed a MoU, and a manufacturing licence agreement has been submitted for Congressional notification. “This trailblazing initiative to manufacture F-414 engines in India – the first of its kind – will enable greater transfer of U.S. jet engine technology than ever before,” the statement said.

“India intends to procure armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs. This advanced technology will increase India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities,” it said.

The two sides also agreed on deliverables for the people-to-people connect. “The U.S. Department of State will launch a pilot this year to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas, including for Indian nationals, who will no longer be required to leave the country for renewal in eligible categories.  The Department of State will implement this for an expanded pool of H1B and L visa holders in 2024, with the aim of broadening the program to include other eligible categories.”

And they announced new consulates: “The United States intends to initiate the process to open two new consulates in India in the cities of Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.  India will take steps to operationalize its new consulate in Seattle later this year, and open two new consulates at jointly identified locations in the United States.”

Last year, the US issued a record 1.25 lakh visas to Indian students. “India and the United States have launched a new Joint Task Force of the Association of American Universities and leading Indian educational institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology.”

On trade ties, “Underscoring the willingness and trust of both countries in resolving trade issues, the leaders welcomed the resolution of six outstanding WTO disputes between the two countries through mutually agreed solutions as well as their understandings on market access related to certain products of significance to the bilateral trade relationship.”

On energy collaboration, the statement said that India and the United States will continue to work together to achieve respective national climate and energy goals under India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and the United States’ Hydrogen Earth Shot.