In Vietnam, Joe Biden says he raised human rights, free press with PM Modi at G20
US President Joe Biden on Sunday said he raised various issues, including respecting human rights, the role of civil society and free press during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi.
Biden made the remarks during a press conference in Vietnam, where he is on an official visit after attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Delhi.
“As I always do, I raised the importance of respecting human rights, the vital role of civil society, and a free press and building a strong and prosperous country with Mr Modi. We got a lot of important work done,” the US President said in Hanoi.
His comments kicked up a storm in India with the Congress launching an attack on PM Modi. Party leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on X, “Na press conference karunga, na karne doonga (won’t hold a press conference, won’t let you hold one) has had no impact.”
“Mr Biden is saying the same things in Vietnam which he said to Mr Modi’s face in India — on respecting human rights, the role of civil society and the free press,” he said.
Earlier, Ramesh had alleged that Biden’s team was not allowed to interact with the media and take questions about his meeting with PM Modi after the bilateral meeting in Delhi.
“President Biden’s team says despite multiple requests, India has not allowed media to ask questions of him and PM Modi after their bilateral meeting,” the Congress leader tweeted on Friday.
“President Biden will now take questions in Vietnam on September 11 from the media accompanying him. Not surprising at all. This is how democracy is done Modi-style,” he said.
BIDEN THANKS PM MODI FOR HOSTING G20
Meanwhile, in Hanoi, Biden said he held “substantial discussions” with PM Modi on ways to strengthen the India-US partnership, and thanked him for his leadership and hosting of the G20 Summit in Delhi.
Biden, who arrived in Delhi on his first visit to India as the US President, held wide-ranging talks with PM Modi. They vowed to “deepen and diversify” the bilateral major defence partnership while welcoming forward movement in India’s procurement of 31 drones and joint development of jet engines.
“I want to once again thank PM Modi for his leadership and his hospitality and hosting the G20. He and I have had substantial discussions about how we’re going to continue to strengthen the partnership between India and the US building on the Prime Minister’s visit to the White House last June,” Biden said at the press conference.
The US President also talked about the “significant business” he had done in India during the G20 Summit.
“This was an important moment for the US to demonstrate our global leadership and our commitment to solving the challenges that matter most to people around the world. Investing in inclusive growth and sustainable development, addressing the climate crisis, strengthening food security and education, advancing global health and health security,” Biden said.
“We showed the world the US is a partner with a positive vision for our shared future,” he added.