Biden lands in India, will push trade, defence ties
US vice-president Joe Biden landed here in his first official trip during which he is scheduled to push for enhancement of ties in the areas of trade, energy, defence and security. During his four-day stay, he is expected to set out an “ambitious vision” for India-US ties.
Mr Biden is scheduled to meet President Pranab Mukherjee, vice-president Hamid Ansar, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj.
Official sources said that the talks would primarily focus on key areas of economic and trade ties, energy and climate change, defence co-operation and a wide range of regional co-operation.
Even though all his official engagements are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, the United States vice-president began his Indian trip with a visit to the Gandhi Smriti Museum as a mark of respect to the father of the Nation. He was accompanied by his wife Jill. Vice-president Hamid Ansari is scheduled to host a dinner in honour of the visiting dignitary on Tuesday after which, Mr Biden would fly to Mumbai and meet the captains of the Indian industry and also deliver a policy speech at the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Mr Biden is also due to attend a women’s empowerment event at IIT Mumbai. Jill, during her stay in the country is scheduled to hold a series of health and nutritional events in New Delhi and Mumbai and visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. Biden would not be accompanying her to Agra.
Mr Biden, 70, who had visited India in 2008 as a senator, was received at the airport by foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai and Indian envoy to the US Nirupama Rao.
Mr Biden, while delivering his address at the George Washington University last week, had said, “One of the reasons why President (Barack) Obama called our relations with India quote, ‘a defining partnership of the century ahead’ is that India is increasingly looking east as a force for security and growth in Southeast Asia and beyond.”
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