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Biden, Modi agree to strengthen 'Quad' regional network in first phone call
The affirmation may add momentum to the Quad grouping made up of the four major Indo-Pacific democracies. Biden's National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has called it "a foundation upon which to build substantial American policy in the Indo-Pacific."
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India's Prime Minister Narendra Modiaddresses a joint meeting of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on June 8, 2016. Looking on(Rear) are then US Vice President Joe Biden(left) and House Speaker Paul Ryan(right). (Agence France Presse/Mandel Ngan)
U
S President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed Monday to work closely toward a free and open Indo-Pacific region and to strengthen a regional framework also involving Japan and Australia amid China's rise.
"The leaders agreed to continuing close cooperation to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, including support for freedom of navigation, territorial integrity, and a stronger regional architecture through the Quad," the White House said in a press release issued after their phone call.
The affirmation may add momentum to the Quad grouping made up of the four major Indo-Pacific democracies. Biden's National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has called it "a foundation upon which to build substantial American policy in the Indo-Pacific."
The previous administration under President Donald Trump had highlighted the framework as having the capacity to "push back against the Chinese Communist Party."
The White House press release did not mention any specific discussion of China between Biden and Modi.
It said that the two leaders also agreed to collaborate to tackle global challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic and climate change issues, and to rebuild the global economy.
They agreed that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld in Myanmar after its military staged a coup earlier this month.
Modi tweeted that the two leaders are "committed to a rules-based international order."
"We look forward to consolidating our strategic partnership to further peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond," he said.
