Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday delivered a joint address with United States Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House. India and US’ efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and climate crises were some key points of the address. 

Modi is set to meet US President Joe Biden in their first bilateral meeting on Friday. Later in the day, the Indian Prime Minister, who is visiting the US for the 7th time after assuming office in 2014, will attend the first-ever in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit with his American, Japanese and Australian counterparts. 

Here are the key takeaways from Narendra Modi’s joint address with Kamala Harris: 

1) COVID-19 efforts:

Prime Minister Modi started by expressing his gratitude to the US President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris for extending a helping hand to India when the country was hit by the second wave of COVID-19. 

Also Read: Quad Summit: What to expect from the diplomatic event

“When India experienced the surge of COVID in the country, the United States was proud to support India in its need & its responsibility to vaccinate its people,” Harris said. 

She further added that on COVID19, India and US have worked together.

“Early in the pandemic, India was a vital source of vaccines for other countries,” Harris said. 

Also Read: Will India-US’ China tensions take centre-stage at Quad Summit?

2) Climate crisis

Kamala Harris addressed climate crisis. She said that India takes the issue seriously. 

“We believe that the US and India working together can not only have a profound impact not only on the people of our nations but the world,” she said. 

Also read: PM Modi interacts with global CEOs, here’s what was discussed

3) PM Modi invites Kamala Harris to India

Prime Minister Modi, concluding his statement, invited Kamala Harris for a visit to India. 

Talking about her appointment as the Vice President, Modi said the ‘election has been an important and historic event’.

“I am confident that under President Biden and your leadership our bilateral relations will touch new heights,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Narendra Modi participated in a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The Indian leader also met and interacted with CEOs of companies like Adobe and  Qualcomm. 

In a tweet, PM Modi said, “President and CEO of Qualcomm, Cristiano R Amon, and PM Narendra Modi had a productive interaction. PM Modi highlighted the vast opportunities India offers. Mr. Amon expressed keenness to work with India in areas such as 5G and other Digital India efforts.”