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US Vice President Kamala Harris met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the two countries, the White House informed in a statement on Friday.
"They discussed the Covid-19 pandemic and collaborative efforts to respond and recover, including cooperation on vaccine production under the Quad Vaccine Partnership," said the White House.
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According to the statement, Kamala Harris welcomed India's commitment to resuming vaccine exports and the progress of its domestic vaccination campaign. Both Kamala Harris and Narendra Modi agreed that ambitious action to combat climate change was imperative in the face of the climate crisis.
"They emphasised a commitment to democratic values and discussed the need to strengthen democracy at home and abroad. They supported expanding bilateral security cooperation in the face of modern threats, including terrorism and cybercrime," the statement said.
As the chair of the National Space Council, the US Vice President encouraged expanded US-India space cooperation, and she and Prime Minister Modi explored ways to build on existing, robust bilateral collaboration on space, it added.
Earlier on Friday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said both PM Modi and US Vice President Harris appreciated the India-US bilateral relationship, which they felt were on strong footing given the shared values, common interest in growing strategic convergence.
"They exchanged views on recent regional developments of mutual interest, reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The Covid-19 situation and respective national efforts to combat it was an important theme of their discussion," informed Shringla.
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This was PM Modi's first in-person meeting with the Indian origin US Vice President.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House during his three-day visit to the United States.
PM Modi will review the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with President Biden and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, said a departure statement. Later, Prime Minister Modi will also attend the Quad Leaders' Summit.
-With inputs from ANI-
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