U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed Thursday on a long list of strategies to expand defense and technology cooperation as their countries grapple with China's growing economic and military strength.
In a reflection of the deepening bilateral ties, one of the noteworthy deals made in Washington will allow General Electric Co. to co-produce fighter jet engines in India, with Modi characterizing it as a "landmark" achievement that will give their defense cooperation "a new character in the times to come."
India has been eager to gain access to sensitive and sophisticated U.S. technology for the development of its domestic defense manufacturing capabilities, while stepping up efforts to diversify its sources of military equipment.
"The close defense cooperation between India and America symbolizes mutual trust and shared strategic priorities," Modi, in his first state visit to Washington after nine years in office, told reporters after the talks in the Oval Office.
Attending a press conference with Modi, Biden said the partnership with India is among "the most consequential in the world" and is "stronger, closer and more dynamic than any time in history."
Modi has been seeking to raise India's profile on the global stage by positioning India as a counterbalance to the rising power of China while taking advantage of the prevailing anti-Russia sentiment to inch out of Moscow's orbit amid its war on Ukraine.
India, the world's largest arms importer, will also purchase MQ-9 reconnaissance drones from the United States, according to the White House. Officials of the two countries believe the drones will be helpful for India to improve surveillance on its long, and in places contested, border with China and in maritime areas.
The United States, which looks to India as a crucial countervailing force to China, rolled out the red carpet for Modi despite criticism at home and abroad over his human rights record, treatment of Muslims and other minorities, and restrictions on freedom of speech.
Biden said he raised such concerns during the talks, noting that "one of the fundamental reasons that I believe the U.S.-China relationship is not in the space it is with the U.S.-Indian relationship is that there's an overwhelming respect for each other because we're both democracies."
Modi, who normally does not take questions from reporters, insisted that "in India's democratic values, there's absolutely no discrimination neither on basis of caste, creed, or age, or any kind of geographic location."
The United States sees the Quad, a group it forms with Australia, India and Japan, as well as closer bilateral cooperation with each member, as increasingly important in maintaining peace and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific in the face of China's rise.
Biden said he discussed with Modi their work through the Quad, specifically "how India and the United States, together with Australia and Japan, can ensure the vital Indo-Pacific region remains free, open, prosperous and secure."
As part of efforts to ensure stability in regional waters, India will allow U.S. Navy ships to receive repairs in Indian shipyards under a new agreement.
The summit comes as the United States also seeks to pull India away from its traditional dependence on Russia for military and oil supplies.
In recent years, even before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, U.S. defense sales to India and overall trade between the two countries increased significantly.
India has long relied on Russia for its military equipment, but the war has made it difficult for Moscow to fulfill its arms delivery commitments to New Delhi.
Biden and Modi, who is just the third foreign leader the U.S. president has hosted for a state visit, released a joint statement detailing numerous new agreements, also centering on technology and economic cooperation.
Biden said he believes India, now the world's most populous country, surpassing China, has "unlimited potential."
The deals range from those related to outer space and artificial intelligence to efforts aimed at strengthening supply chains for semiconductors and other key industrial materials.
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