Page 18 - The Indian EYE 092421

NORTH AmERIcAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | The Indian Eye 18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US Vice-President Kamala Harris Prime Minister Narendra Modi having a conversation US Vice-President
during a meeting, in Washington DC on Friday. (ANI Photo) Kamala Harris at the premises of the White House after their joint
statement, in Washington DC on Friday. (ANI Photo)
incumbent on our nations, of cussions between the two lead-
course, to protect democracies ers were “substantive and they and the need to rein in and close- that Vice President Harris noted
in the best interest of the peo- lasted over an hour”. ly monitor Pakistan’s support for that India had made a very very
ple of our countries,” she said. During her meeting with such terror groups,” he added. swift recovery from the second
PM Modi, who is on a three- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan has been accused of wave of COVID-19 pandemic
day visit to the US, held a first US Vice President Kamala Har- providing overt and covert sup- “Prime Minister had a bilat-
in-person meeting with the Indi- ris “suo moto” referred to Pa- port to the Taliban. Early this eral meeting with Vice President
an origin US Vice President. kistan’s role with regard to ter- month, US Secretary of State Kamala Harris. This was the
“India is a very important rorism and agreed on the need Antony Blinken noted that Paki- Prime Minister’s first formal in-
partner to the US. We had to rein-in and closely monitor stan has “harboured” members teraction with the Vice President.
COVID-19, the kind of crisis and Islamabad support for terror of the Taliban including the ter- He had earlier spoken to her on
importance of our shared belief groups, informed Foreign Secre- rorists. the telephone. And the meet-
in a free and open Indo-Pacific tary Harsh V Shringla. PM Modi, who is in the US ing which was the first in-person
region. On COVID-19, our na- Harris acknowledged the for a three-day visit, met Harris meeting was warm and focused
tions have worked together. Ear- presence of terror groups in Pa- earlier in the day. Shringla said on several substantive issues of
ly in the pandemic, India was a kistan, said Shringla when asked that discussions between the two discussion,” he said.
vital source of vaccines for other whether the issue of Pakistan leaders were “substantive and “Both Prime Minister and Vice
countries,” Harris said. emboldening Taliban came up they lasted over an hour”. President appreciated India US
She recalled the US’ assis- during the discussion between “The meeting reflected bilateral relationship,” he added.
tance to India during the surge PM Modi and the US Vice Pres- warmth and cordiality. Discus- According to a statement by
of COVID-19 in the country. ident. “In that context when the sions covered a number of ar- the Ministry of External Affairs,
“When India experienced the issue of terrorism came up. The eas which included COVID-19, Harris and PM Modi expressed
surge of COVID in the country, Vice President suo moto re- climate change, the issue of ter- happiness at their first in-person
the United States was proud to ferred to Pakistan’s role in that rorism, cooperation in the tech- meeting.
support India in its need and regard. She said that there were nology sector including coopera- “They warmly recalled their
its responsibility to vaccinate its terror groups working there. She tion in cyber security, space etc,” telephone conversation earlier
people,” she added. asked Pakistan to take action so Shringla said. in June 2021. They exchanged
Harris welcomed New Del- that these groups do not impact Modi and Kamala Harris had views on recent global develop-
hi’s announcement that it will on US security and that of In- a “warm” meeting during which ments, including in Afghanistan
soon be able to resume exports dia,” the Foreign Secretary said they exchanged views on recent and reaffirmed their commit-
of COVID-19 vaccines. during a special briefing. global developments, including ment towards a free, open and
She also lauded India’s Shringla apprised that Harris in Afghanistan and reaffirmed inclusive Indo-Pacific region,”
COVID-19 vaccination drive.”I agreed with the Prime Minister’s their commitment towards a free, the statement read.
welcome India’s announcement briefing on the fact of cross-bor- open and inclusive Indo-Pacific “The two leaders discussed
that it will soon be able to re- der terrorism and the fact that region. the COVID-19 situation in their
sume vaccine exports. It is par- India has been a victim of terror- Speaking at the special brief- respective countries, including
ticular note and admiration that ism for several decades now. ing, Foreign Secretary Harsh ongoing efforts to contain the
India is currently vaccinating ap- “She agreed with Prime Min- Vardhan Shringla said Prime Min- pandemic through expedited
proximately 10 million people a ister’s briefing on the fact of ister Modi and Vice President vaccination efforts, and ensuring
day as of today,” Harris said. cross-border terrorism and the Harris appreciated India-US supply of critical medicines, ther-
Foreign Secretary Harsh fact that India has been a victim bilateral relationship. The For- apeutics and healthcare equip-
Vardhan Shringla said that dis- of terrorism several decades now eign Secretary also informed ment,” the statement added.

www.TheIndianEYE .com