White House Announces PM Narendra Modi's First State Visit During Biden Administration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first official state visit to the United States (US) during the Biden administration's time has been announced by the White House.

The visit has been in the works for months, with Indian officials ironing out the logistics.

Scheduled for 22 June 2023, the visit will include a state dinner.

It will "affirm the deep and close partnership" and underscore the "growing importance" of the strategic ties between the US and India, said the announcement.

According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders will review the strong bilateral cooperation in areas such as technology, trade, industry, education, research, clean energy, defence, security, healthcare, and people-to-people connections.

The White House said the visit will reinforce the shared commitment of the two countries towards a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific.

According to the Indian readout, both leaders will also look for ways to expand and consolidate their Quad engagement.

Furthermore, the MEA added that the visit would enable Modi and Biden to explore ways to strengthen cooperation at the G20, which is currently being led by India, and other multilateral forums.

The White House says the two leaders will talk educational exchanges, climate change, workforce development, and health security during their meeting.

According to The Hindu, the two leaders are set to cross paths multiple times in May.

These interactions include the G7 meetings in Hiroshima, where India is invited, and in Papua New Guinea, where the leaders' visits overlap, as well as the Quad Summit in Sydney.