Biden says both US and India ‘cherish freedom’ and human rightsBiden also mentioned press freedom in his opening statement, saying that both countries “cherish freedom and celebrate the democratic values of universal human rights which face challenges around the world and in each of our countries.”
“Press freedom, religious freedom, tolerance, diversity…India now is the most populous country in the world… The backbone of our people…and talents and traditions make us strong as nations,” said Biden.
“The friendship between our nations is only going to grow as we face a future together,” he added.
Key events
Show key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Biden and Modi have wrapped up their joint press conference, where they discussed a range of issues including climate change and democracy.
Here is an update from Mary Yang for the Guardian with updates on what the two world leaders discussed.
Another reporter asked Biden about criticisms that the US is not implementing solutions to climate change or transferring technologies to developing nations that would address warming.
Both countries have agreed to work on tackling climate change as apart of the G20 forum.
Here is an explainer on progress made during the last summit in November 2022.
Biden denies calling Xi Jinping a ‘dictator’ hampers efforts to thaw US-China relationsA reporter asked Biden about comments he made calling China president Xi Jinping a “dictator” and if such remarks complicate progress that the Biden administration has made on maintaining a relationship with China.
“The answer to your first question is no,” said Biden, adding that he expects to be meeting with Jinping soon and that State Secretary Antony Blinken had a productive trip to the country recently.
Biden was also asked about criticisms he faces about overlooking human rights violations in India, including the targeting of religious minorities and dissent.
Biden added: “The prime minister and I had a good discussion about democratic values. That’s the nature of our relationship, we’re straight forward with each other and we respect each other.”
Biden noted that both India and US are democracies, compared to China.
Biden says both US and India ‘cherish freedom’ and human rightsBiden also mentioned press freedom in his opening statement, saying that both countries “cherish freedom and celebrate the democratic values of universal human rights which face challenges around the world and in each of our countries.”
“Press freedom, religious freedom, tolerance, diversity…India now is the most populous country in the world… The backbone of our people…and talents and traditions make us strong as nations,” said Biden.
“The friendship between our nations is only going to grow as we face a future together,” he added.
In Joe Biden’s opening statement, the president talked about a series of topics discussed with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, including technological advancements such as semi-conductor supply chains, telecommunication networks, and growing major defense partnerships with further joint exercises.
Biden also talked about the expansion of educational opportunities for Indian students and to build “on the record of 125,000 student visas for Indians to study in the United States.”
The Ukraine-Russia was was also discussed, with Biden saying, “We talked about our shared efforts to mitigate humanitarian tragedies unleashed by Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine and to defend core principles of the UN charter.”
Joe Biden and Narendra Modi have started their press conference.
Barack Obama suggests Biden should raise protecting religious freedom with ModiFormer US president Barack Obama has addressed Modi’s visit to the United States in a new interview with CNN, saying, “The protection of Muslim minorities in a majority Hindu India, that’s something worth mentioning.”
Speaking to CNN host Christiane Amanpour, Obama said:
“I do think it is appropriate for the president of the United States…to challenge, whether behind closed doors or in public, trends that are troubling…
If the president meets with prime minister Modi, then the protection of Muslim minorities in a majority Hindu India, that’s something worth mentioning… If I had a conversation with prime minister Modi…part of my argument would be if you don’t protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, there’s a strong possibility India starts pulling apart.”
44 on Modi-Biden: “the protection of Muslim minorities in a majority Hindu India, that’s something worth mentioning. If I had a convo w/ PM Modi, part of my argument would be if you don’t protect the rights of minorities, there’s a strong possibility India starts pulling apart” t.co/jbECpeOejQ
— Gerry Shih (@gerryshih) June 22, 2023 As we wait for the press conference with Biden and Modi, here is the Committee to Protect Journalists’ statement urging India to stop its media crackdowns and to release detained journalists.
“Press freedom is under attack in India,” said CPJ, adding, “India is the world’s largest democracy, yet it is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for the media…
Leaders around the world who value democracy must urger those in power in India to stop the threats against journalists there. Democracy depends on a free press.”
Press freedom is under attack in India.
Yesterday, Indian PM Narenda Modi arrived in the U.S. to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden.
Today, the @wppressfreedom urges India to end its media crackdown & release the 6 journalists arbitrarily detained in retaliation for their work.… pic.twitter.com/LPEga8ad6C
— Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) June 21, 2023CPJ’s president Jodie Ginsberg also issued a statement, saying, “Since Modi assumed power in 2014, there has been an increasing crackdown on India’s media…
India is the world’s largest democracy and it needs to live up to that by ensuring a free and independent media – and we expect the United States to make this a core element of discussions.”
“Since Prime Minister Modi came to power in 2014, there has been an increasing crackdown on India’s media,” said CPJ President @jodieginsberg ahead of his visit to the U.S.
“Journalists critical of the government and the BJP party have been jailed, harassed, and surveilled in… pic.twitter.com/3ezuJDzRb3
— Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) June 21, 2023Biden and Modi to hold press conference shortlyUS president Joe Biden and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi are scheduled to host a press conference soon.
We will be bringing you the latest updates.
Here is video of the pomp and circumstance surrounding US president Joe Biden’s welcome of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi to the White House today:
Joe Biden greets Narendra Modi with pomp at the White House – videoBernie Sanders condemns Modi over human rights abuse claimsBernie Sanders has also joined several Democratic lawmakers in their condemnation of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi over his human rights abuse allegations.
“Prime Minister Modi’s government has cracked down on the press and civil society, jailed political opponents, and pushed an aggressive Hindu nationalism that leaves little space for India’s religious minorities,” Sanders wrote in a tweet.
He went on to push US president Joe Biden to address these issues with Modi.
Prime Minister Modi’s government has cracked down on the press and civil society, jailed political opponents, and pushed an aggressive Hindu nationalism that leaves little space for India’s religious minorities. President Biden should raise these facts in his meeting with Modi.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 21, 2023Biden made a ‘thumbs up’ gesture when asked by reporters about how Hunter Biden is feeling, days after news broke that Biden will be pleading guilty to misdemeanor tax crimes and a federal firearm charge.
From CBS News’ Kathryn Watson:
President Biden gave a thumbs up to reporters when asked how Hunter is feeling, per pool
— Kathryn Watson (@kathrynw5) June 22, 2023The White House press office has released the following details on president Joe Biden and prime minister Narendra Modi’s meeting today:
The president, in a navy suit, and the prime minister, in traditional Indian tunic and trousers and a blue pullover, entered the Oval Office at 10:50 after walking down the West Wing colonnade.
Pool was led in at 10:53, and the two were seated.
Biden, reading from a large note card, spoke about his first visit with Modi 10 years ago as vice president, when he said that India and the United States would have to build a relationship small step by small step.
“Over the past 10 years, those small steps have transformed into large progress,” he said, pausing periodically so an interpreter could translate into Hindi.
“I look forward to discussing how we can strengthen our partnership and build a future together worthy of both our peoples, one grounded on democracy, human rights, freedom and the rule of law.”
Modi, reading in Hindi from notes from a two-ring binder, again thanked Biden for the invitation. An interpreter translated into English.
“In today’s rapidly changing global situation, all eyes are on the two largest democracies in the world: America and India.”
The pool was escorted out at 11:03.
President Joe Biden and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi walk along the Colonnade to the Oval Office after a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Washington. (Pete Marovich/The New York Times via AP, Pool) Photograph: Pete Marovich/APThe White House has not explicitly said whether it will discuss the imprisonment of Vivek Raghuvanshi, a freelance journalist for Defense News who was jailed last month by Indian authorities.
In May, Raghuvanshi was arrested by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation under espionage charges, Defense News reports.
His arrest prompted swift condemnation from Sightline Media Group, the publisher of Defense News, as well as the National Press Club.
In a statement released on 17 May, the NPC said:
“The charges against him of working with a foreign intelligence service are completely at odds with his well-established professional profile. Vivek has a solid reputation and the respect of his colleagues.”
Despite White House officials saying that press freedom will be one of the topics discussed between Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Joe Biden, they have not specified whether Raghuvanshi’s imprisonment will be discussed exclusively.
Instead, White House officials only aid that a “full range of issues will be on the table” when asked whether his imprisonment will be among the topics, according to Defense News.
Amnesty International criticizes Modi visitHuman rights group Amnesty International has publicly criticized Modi’s visit to the White House, calling on the Biden administration to address “grave human rights issues” in the US and India.
Amnesty International called out increasing violence against religion minorities in India during Modi’s tenure, as well as “criminalization of dissent”.
The organization also criticized vitriol against LGBTQ+ communities in the US, a roll back of reproductive rights, and “a political climate informed by structural racism and socio-economic injustice”.
From Amnesty International:
The United States and Indian governments must address the grave human rights issues in both countries during Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with President Biden in Washington DC 👉 t.co/SSjubum93I
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) June 22, 2023 Prime Minister Modi has presided over a period of rapid deterioration of human rights protections in India, including increasing violence against religious minorities, shrinking civil society space, and the criminalization of dissent.
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) June 22, 2023 Meanwhile, President Biden’s time in office has been concurrent to a devastating period of backsliding on reproductive rights and increases in vitriolic anti-LGBTQI+ attacks at the state level, all in a political climate informed by structural racism and socio-economic injustice.
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) June 22, 2023 As President Biden raises human rights threats in India, he must also be prepared to address the threats to human rights in the US and look to examples from other countries, including India, where constitutional courts have extended human rights protections.
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) June 22, 2023 Several progressive legislators say they will be boycotting Modi’s speech to Congress this afternoon.
New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced in a statement late Wednesday that she will “boycott” a joint address to Congress from Modi.
“I will be boycotting Prime Minister Modi’s address to Congress tomorrow, and encourage my colleagues who stand for pluralism, tolerance, and freedom of the press to join me in doing the same,” said Ocasio-Cortez’s statement, shared to Twitter.
Ocasio-Cortez went on to call out Modi’s faltering record on human rights, including his failure to obtain a visa in 2005 because of violating religious freedom and India’s poor standing on the World Press Freedom Index.
Other lawmakers have stated that they will not be attending Modi’s address, including Minnesota representative Ilhan Omar and Michigan representative Rashida Tlaib.
Omar and Tlaib announced that they would be boycotting Modi’s remarks days before Ocasio-Cortez’s statement, the Hill reported.
Amid controversy at the arrival of Modi to the White House, officials say that thousands stood on the South Lawn to welcome India’s prime minister.
According to the White House, there were 7,000 guests as Modi officially arrived.
BIG: The White House says it had approximately 7,000 guests on the South Lawn this morning for the official arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
— Ed O’Keefe (@edokeefe) June 22, 2023While Biden is rolling out the red carpet, Modi’s state visit has proved controversial.
Human rights advocates have criticized Modi and his party, the BJP, for fueling the rise of violence associated with Hindu nationalism and discriminating against India’s Muslim minority.
And dozens of lawmakers urged Biden to address the issue of human rights with Modi, asking the president to “raise directly with Prime Minister Modi areas of concern” in his private meeting, including credible reports of “shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access” in India.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Biden will raise his concerns but will avoid lecturing Modi during their formal talks.
AP quotes him as saying:
The question of where politics and the question of democratic institutions go in India is going to be determined within India by Indians. It’s not going to be determined by the United States. So what we can do is our part, and our part is to speak out on behalf of universal values.”
Here are some of the images from the welcome Modi was given at the White House:
Jill Biden, Narendra Modi and Joe Biden wave from the blue room balcony during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. Photograph: Manuel Balce Ceneta/APBiden and Modi hug. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/ReutersBiden welcomes Modi. Photograph: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP