Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “decent man and good friend”, US President Joe Biden hosted the popular Indian leader at his personal home in Wilmington.
Modi, who is on a three-day visit to the US to attend a number of meetings, including Quad Summit, met Biden right after landing in the country, and the two leaders believed to have discussed the bilateral relationship, shared challenges and the wars in Ukraine and West Asia.
After the meeting, referring to Modi in a very friendly and humorous manner, the US President said, “He’s from a small country like ours, with a small population, but he’s become a good and decent man and a good friend”.
“The United States’ partnership with India is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history. Prime Minister Modi, each time we sit down, I’m struck by our ability to find new areas of cooperation. Today was no different,” the US President posted on X after the meeting, the first engagement Modi had soon after reaching there.
The US also handed over 297 antiquities to India. which were taken out of the country illegally.
“Deepening cultural connect and strengthening the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural properties. I am extremely grateful to President Biden and the US Government for ensuring the return of 297 invaluable antiquities to India,” Modi said in a post on X after receiving the antiquities.
A total of 578 antiquities have been returned to India by the US since 2014.
In the meeting, President Biden was accompanied by US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken, US national security advisor Jake Sullivan and the American ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, reports said.
On the other hand, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Indian ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra were a part of the Indian team, led by Modi.
It was announced before the meeting that the two leaders would discuss Modi’s recent visit to Ukraine and issues related to China’s activities in the seas.
Modi arrived in Philadelphia on Saturday early morning and then left for Wilmington by road.