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US President Joe Biden to Discuss Ukraine Invasion with Modi on Tokyo Sidelines

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced on Sunday that US President Joe Biden will have a "constructive and straightforward" conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the "impact" of Russia's "brutal invasion of Ukraine" during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders' Summit in Tokyo on May 24. This conversation will be a continuation of their previous discussions on the issue, with Modi indicating that they will also discuss further consolidation of their bilateral relations with the US and regional developments.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bilateral meeting between Biden and Modi will focus on the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on global food security, which will be a topic of discussion at the Quad Leaders' Summit.
  • This conversation will be a continuation of their previous discussions on the issue, with Biden and Modi having already engaged in private and constructive exchanges on the topic.
  • The US has consistently spoken out against human rights abuses and deviations from democratic principles, but has found ways to pursue practical cooperation with countries that have different values and systems.
  • The Quad leaders are expected to launch a new maritime initiative aimed at curbing illegal fishing in the Indo-Pacific, with an estimated 80 to 95% of unauthorized fishing being carried out by Chinese vessels.
  • The initiative will utilize satellite technology to interlink maritime surveillance centers in Singapore, India, and other parts of the Indo-Pacific.
  • Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will meet on Tuesday to continue their conversation on strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
  • Modi will attend a series of meetings with Japanese business leaders and industry representatives, including Tadashi Yanai, chairman of UNIQLO, Osamu Suzuki, Adviser at Suzuki Motor Corporation, and Masayoshi Son, board director at Softbank Group Corp.
  • Japan is home to nearly 40,000 members of the Indian diaspora, and Modi will interact with their representatives during the visit.

Statistics:

  • 71% of the vote has been counted in Australia's federal elections, with the Labour Party led by Anthony Albanese winning 72 seats, four short of the majority in the 151-seat House of Representatives (The Sydney Morning Herald).
  • The estimated percentage of unauthorized fishing in the Indo-Pacific carried out by Chinese vessels is 80 to 95% (implied by the initiative to curb illegal fishing in the region).
  • The India-Japan "Special Strategic and Global Partnership" has planned investments of JPY 5 trillion (approximately USD 43.8 billion) in public and private financing over the next five years, as announced during the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit in March this year (Source: Modi's statement).
  • The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework event hosted by President Biden will have a wide-ranging trade agreement with separate modules for "fair and resilient trade, supply chain resilience, infrastructure and decarbonisation, and tax and anti-corruption" (Source: Modi's statement).

Sources:

  • Statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
  • Statement by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
  • The Sydney Morning Herald
  • Modi's statement on his visit to Japan
  • India-Japan "Special Strategic and Global Partnership" statement
  • Indo-Pacific Economic Framework event hosted by President Biden
  • United States-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (Source: Modi's statement)

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