- Wednesday, May 08, 2024
The American leader was set to meet the Indian prime minister over a bilateral meeting on Friday, ahead of the G20 summit kicking off on Saturday.
By: Shubham Ghosh
US PRESIDENT Joe Biden landed in New Delhi, India, on Friday (8) to take part in a two-day G20 summit. This is his first visit to the south Asian nation since he took over the Oval Office in January 2021. Biden was received by Indian minister of state for civil aviation VK Singh. First lady Jill Biden could not accompany the president since she tested Covid positive.
The president is not “aiming to paper” over divisions among the leading economies during his stay in the Indian capital but hopes to convince a polarised world that Washington remains a committed partner with an eye toward countering China, CNN reported.
US President Mr. Joe Biden ( @JoeBiden ) arrives in New Delhi to attend the G20 summit
▪️ MoS V.K. Singh receives US President at the airport upon his arrival #G20India2023 #G20Summit @PMOIndia @POTUS @g20org pic.twitter.com/CDlghBHNhF
— PIB India (@PIB_India) September 8, 2023
PHOTOS | US President Joe Biden received by Union minister @Gen_VKSingh at Delhi airport.#G20India2023 #G20SummitDelhi pic.twitter.com/t12dofe3EP
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 8, 2023
Biden, who left for India on Thursday (7), regretted that his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping would not be present at the summit in Delhi but added that he was going to “get to see him”.
I’m headed to the G20 – the premier forum for international economic cooperation – focused on making progress on Americans' priorities, delivering for developing nations, and showing our commitment to the G20 as a forum that can deliver.
Every time we engage, we get better.
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 8, 2023
The 80-year-old president’s visit to India also comes at a time when his popularity is not at its best. A CNN survey released on the day of his departure suggested that two-thirds of the Democrat-leaning voters do not want him to run for a re-election in 2024.
However, his aides believe that Biden’s global actions can help in providing a contrast to the opponent Republicans. At the G20 summit, Biden looks to present arguments that the US can prove to be a better partner for the developing nations instead of China. The absence of Xi may give him enough space and time to assert his case.
Analysing Biden’s India visit, a report by CNN said, “He isn’t arriving empty handed. He comes armed with proposals to reform and step up investments in the World Bank, leveraging US funds to free up hundreds of billions of dollars in new grants and loans for the developing world.”
The White House said that such steps were not aimed at countering China.
On his arrival in India, Biden will have a one-on-one meeting with prime minister Narendra Modi at the latter’s residence.
However, while the two nations have time and again reiterated their good relations, the American side still has concerns over Modi’s human rights record, including restrictions on the press freedom.
During Biden’s flight to New Delhi, officials aboard Air Force One said New Delhi had rebuffed Washington’s request for any press access to the meeting between him and Modi.
This happens less than three months after Modi was asked a question about alleged discrimination against India’s religious minorities by a US journalist during his state visit to Washington.
