Modi, Biden discuss Covid, climate change

New Delhi: In their first conversation since the results of the US election earlier this month, US President-elect Joe Biden called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday night, during which the PM congratulated Biden and reiterated New Delhi's commitment to the Indo-US strategic partnership and discussed their "shared priorities and concerns".

After the phone call, Modi tweeted, "Spoke to US President-elect @JoeBiden on phone to congratulate him. We reiterated our firm commitment to the Indo-US strategic partnership and discussed our shared priorities and concerns — Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region."

"I also conveyed warm congratulations for VP-elect @KamalaHarris. Her success is a matter of great pride and inspiration for members of the vibrant Indian-American community, who are a tremendous source of strength for Indo-US relations."

Of the issues that Modi flagged, the first two, Indo-Pacific and Covid-19, are areas of continuity between the Trump and Biden presidencies, while climate change is an old favourite of the Democratic administration.

The US statement on the phone call also talked about "strengthening democracy at home and abroad".

"The President-elect noted that he looks forward to working closely with the Prime Minister on shared global challenges, including containing Covid-19 and defending against future health crises, tackling the threat of climate change, launching the global economic recovery, strengthening democracy at home and abroad, and maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," said a statement from Biden's transition team.