U.S.-India Joint Leaders’ Statement: A Partnership for Global Good

U.S.-India Joint Leaders’ Statement: A Partnership for Global Good

Part of: GS-Prelims ad GS-II: India and other countries

In News: First in-person Leaders’ engagement, renewing their close relationship and charting a new course to advance the partnership between the world’s largest democracies.

A. Building a strategic partnership and working together with regional groupings, including ASEAN and Quad members, to promote shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond –

B. Developing a trade and investment partnership that increases prosperity for working families in both countries

• Reconvening the India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum before the end of 2021, to enhance the bilateral trade relationship by addressing trade concerns, identifying specific areas for increased engagement and developing an ambitious, shared vision for the future of the trade relationship. 
• Looked forward to convening the U.S.-India CEO Forum and the Commercial Dialogue in early 2022, leveraging the talents of the private sector. 
• Noted ongoing negotiations on an Investment Incentive Agreement that facilitates investment in development projects and committed to an early conclusion.
• Welcomed increased collaboration through the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the upcoming Indo-Pacific Business Forum.

C. Finishing the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and other health challenges

D. Galvanizing global efforts to scale up climate action: Through the two main tracks of the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) and the Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue (CAFMD) under the U.S.-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership, the United States and India will accelerate clean energy development and deployment of critical technologies to advance a clean energy transition. India welcomed the United States joining the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT).

E. Strengthening democratic values and institutions in support of our respective peoples

F. Enhancing people-to-people ties that have made both countries stronger

G. Efforts to fight terrorism: 

• Commended the U.S.-India Counter Narcotics Working Group and are committed to finalizing a new Bilateral Framework which would facilitate joint efforts to combat drug trafficking, illicit narcotics production and precursor chemical supply chains. 
• Resolved that the Taliban must abide by UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021), which demands that Afghan territory must never again be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or finance terrorist attacks, and underscored the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan.
• The Leaders called for an end of the use of violence, for release of all political detainees, and for a swift return to democracy in Myanmar. They further called for the urgent implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus.

News Source: PIB